Why are LNG tankers linked to Adnoc turning off their transponders in the Persian Gulf?

LNG tankers linked to Adnoc have stopped transmitting signals around the Strait of Hormuz and within the Persian Gulf due to ongoing security threats and a de facto blockade enforced by both the US and Iran, which has left Hormuz 'virtually shut' and made transponder use risky for detection avoidance.

How many LNG shipments has Adnoc loaded onto 'dark' tankers since the war in Iran began?

According to data from analytics firm Vortexa cited in the article, Adnoc has loaded three LNG shipments onto vessels that have gone dark — meaning they ceased broadcasting their positions — since the war in Iran began.

Adnoc Keeps Loading LNG Onto Tankers Gone Dark in Persian Gulf

May 15, 2026

Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. continues loading liquefied natural gas onto tankers disabling transponders to navigate the Strait of Hormuz amid security threats. At least three such shipments have departed since regional tensions escalated.

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