What is the current status of QatarEnergy's force majeure declarations on LNG supplies to Asian buyers, and how long have they been extended?

QatarEnergy has extended force majeure on LNG supplies to buyers in South Korea, India, and Bangladesh, with notices originally due to expire in August and early September now extended until mid-September; two trade sources expect the force majeure could be prolonged possibly until October due to ongoing disruptions linked to the Iran war and closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Why is QatarEnergy chartering out its LNG tankers, and what does this indicate about the expected duration of export disruptions?

QatarEnergy entities QELM and QET are continuing to offer some of their LNG tankers for lease through mid-October — including at least nine vessels sub-chartered to companies like Chevron, BP, EnBW, Cheniere, Kansai, SOCAR, LMCS, and Trafigura — on spot deals lasting 30 to 90 days, a move interpreted by analysts as signaling expectations of prolonged disruption, especially since these charters are occurring despite falling freight rates in a weakening LNG shipping market.

QatarEnergy Extends LNG Force Majeure Through October, Charters Out Tankers

Jul 23, 2026

QatarEnergy extended LNG force majeure to Asian buyers until mid-October due to Strait of Hormuz disruptions, while leasing out tankers to maintain fleet utilization. This signals prolonged export delays that may tighten global supplies and increase energy costs heading into winter.

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