The Marshall Islands-flagged LNG carrier Al Mayeda, loaded with liquefied natural gas from Qatar, was attacked by projectiles near the Strait of Hormuz on Friday. The ship subsequently turned around and headed back into the Persian Gulf.
All 25 crew members aboard are reported safe, including six Indian nationals. Sources familiar with the matter said Pakistan had negotiated safe passage with Iran before the attack, and that Iranian authorities had given a green light hours earlier.
Qatar reserves its right to respond
The Qatari Foreign Ministry said on Sunday that Qatar reserves its right to take all necessary measures to protect its assets and vessels. It said authorities are investigating the incident and those responsible.
Nakilat said the carrier remained operational and was being assessed. Indian Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said on X that the ship was targeted in a projectile attack.
Supply strain across the region
Pakistan has faced months of energy shortfall linked to upheaval in the Middle East. Without this cargo, it could turn to the spot market, where LNG prices are more than three times their pre-war levels.
Also Read
Flows of LNG through Hormuz were about 30 percent of pre-war levels in October. Pakistan’s petroleum ministry, QatarEnergy and Iran’s foreign ministry did not respond to requests for comment.
Source: Qatari Foreign Ministry
