Hormuz LNG carriers passed 32 times in October... Qatar facility recovery expected to take 3-5 years

LNG carrier transits through the Strait of Hormuz reached 32 in October, the highest monthly count since the Iran conflict began, according to S&P Global's Commodities at Sea tracking data, which also recorded 750 total vessel crossings across all ship types versus 749 in September. Kpler counted 32 vessels berthing at Ras Laffan as of October 29, up from 21 in September, and estimated October loadings at 2.5–2.6 million tonnes. The transit count reflects shipping activity rather than LNG cargo volumes or Qatari production recovery, and Kpler projects Qatari facility repairs will take three to five years. The data matters because it signals Gulf LNG flows are normalizing at the shipping level even as supply capacity remains constrained. Watch upcoming monthly loading volumes and Ras Laffan berth counts for confirmation that higher traffic translates into actual export recovery.