First LNG Carrier Passes Through Bab-el-Mandeb After The Recent Gaza Ceasefire

For the first time in five months, an LNG carrier has passed via the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait. The Omani-owned Salalah LNG, a 148,173-cmb vessel made the passage on February 8, after a temporary halt in Houthi attacks on non-Israeli ships.

The ship, departed from Oman’s Qalhat LNG Terminal on February 5, according to AIS tracking data. However, its final destination is not disclosed.

After a recent ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, Yemeni Houthis have declared a suspension of attacks on non-Israeli vessels.

The group has also released the 25 crew members of the hijacked car carrier Galaxy leader, who had been held captive for over a year.

LNG producers have avoided the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, Red Sea, and the Suez Canal throughout 2024, with nearly all traffic detouring via the longer and more expensive route around Africa’s southern tip due to security concerns.

The Houthis have attacked over 100 ships since November 2023, killing four and sinking two vessels. As a result, LNG carriers have largely stayed away from the region, preferring alternative routes.

The last LNG carrier to traverse the Red Sea before Salalah LNG was the Russian “shadow fleet” vessel Pioneer, which sailed south through the Suez Canal in September 2024.

Earlier, in June 2024, another Russia-linked vessel, Asya Energy (now called East Energy), took the same route. Both vessels have since been sanctioned by the U.S. for transporting cargo from the Arctic LNG 2 project, which is under international restrictions.

Despite the recent safe transit, vessel operators remain cautious. Major shipping companies like Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd have stated that they will continue to avoid the Red Sea.

Since late 2023, maritime traffic in the region has decreased by 60% as nearly 150 vessels have come under attack during that period.

Earlier this week, the oil tanker Chrysalis, which was targeted by Houthis in July 2024, became the first crude carrier to transit the Suez Canal and Red Sea since the militant group’s recent announcement.

The Suez Canal Authority called this a positive signal for stability.

Oil shipments through the Red Sea have previously dropped by more than 50% from 8.7 million barrels per day in 2023 to 4.0 million barrels per day in 2024.

For over a year, most LNG shipments bypassed the Red Sea, choosing longer routes around Africa’s southern tip. Russia explored another alternative-the Arctic Northern Sea Route, a seasonal shortcut between Europe and Asia.

In September 2024, Russian energy company Gazprom sent its 170,471-cbm LNG carrier Pskov from its Portovaya liquefaction plant near Saint Petersburg to China via this Arctic route.

Container ship operators also tested Arctic waters, with several Panamax container ships, Aframax, and Suezmax oil tankers making the journey as an alternative to the Red Sea.

Despite the ceasefire deal, there remains uncertainty. Houthi leader Adbul-Malik al-Houthi has stated that the group is ready to resume attacks if Israel does not uphold the terms of the ceasefire.

Given the fragile geopolitical situation, industry experts believe most LNG carriers will likely continue avoiding the Red Sea for now.

Reference: MFame

Source: Maritime Shipping News