First non-Russian LNG cargo in over a year transits through Bab el Mandeb
LNG carriers have rarely made use of the strait since the Houthis started targeting shipping
The only three ships to sail the beleaguered shipping lane since January 2024 were all involved in transporting cargo from Russia’s Arctic LNG 2 project
A PANAMA-flagged LNG carrier has become the first ship not engaged in Russian trade to transit the Bab el Mandeb in over a year.
Salalah LNG (IMO: 9300817), managed by the Oman Ship Management, passed through the strait on February 8, according to Lloyd’s List Intelligence vessel-tracking data.
The ship is sailing from Qalhat, Oman and draught data received from its Automatic Identification System data indicates the vessel is laden.
Salalah LNG actively passed through the Red Sea in 2023, sailing between Qalhat and Barcelona, Spain, but the last voyage of this kind took place in May 2023.
LNG carriers almost exclusively avoid Bab el Mandeb transits and have been doing so since the security situation in the region deteriorated.
The last LNG carriers to use the beleaguered shipping lane did so in January 2024.
The exception to this is vessels lifting Russian LNG cargoes.
Three vessels — East Energy (IMO: 9216298), formerly Asya Energy, Metagas Everest (IMO: 9243148), formerly Everest Energy and Pioneer (IMO: 9256602) — passed through the Bab el Mandeb between June and September 2024.
These ships were all supporting Russia’s Arctic LNG 2 project and have since been sanctioned.
Although almost all owners and operators of LNG carriers avoid the Bab el Mandeb, these vessels still pass through the Suez Canal and engage in trade in the northern area of the Red Sea.
In January, 13 LNG tankers sailed through the Suez Canal and four have passed through so far this month.
