Qatari LNG tanker Al Mayeda struck by 'unidentified objects' in the Gulf; crew safe, ship operational

A Qatari liquefied natural gas carrier, Al Mayeda, was attacked with "unidentified objects" while crossing Gulf waters on Friday evening, Qatar News Agency reported on Sunday 1 November. The ship belongs to the Qatar Gas Transport Company.

What Qatar says

• None of the crew was hurt and there was no environmental impact.
• The vessel is in a "safe condition" and operational, according to the company.
• Nobody has been named as responsible in the report.

The wider picture

Since the Middle East war began in February, Iran has been targeting vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and the wider Gulf to assert control over shipping, and says ships need its permission to pass. The US has responded by blockading Iranian ports. Qatar, a mediator in the war, has stepped up diplomacy in recent days to restart US-Iran negotiations.

Why Pakistan watches this

Pakistan's gas network leans on Qatari LNG. QatarEnergy has already extended its LNG force majeure for Pakistani buyers to the end of December, and SNGPL has frozen new gas connections as RLNG supply tightens in winter. Any new threat to LNG shipping raises the risk of longer gas load management and higher fuel costs. You can follow fuel prices on the petrol price page.

This story rests on Qatar News Agency's account as relayed by ARY News; we will update it if more details or an attribution emerge.