Normal deliveries of Qatari liquefied natural gas will not resume for at least another month across Asia and Europe, with the world’s largest exporter prolonging a force majeure that has recurred almost monthly since the Iran war began.
Pakistan and Bangladesh were notified this week by state-owned QatarEnergy that cargo cancellations would continue through November, according to people familiar with the matter. The same message reached at least one Indian buyer, and Italy’s Edison learned its deliveries would stay suspended until early December.
Behind the extension is ongoing trouble in the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway that handled about a fifth of global LNG supply last year. Shipments have picked up this month yet stay far below prewar levels.
The timing is difficult heading into the Northern Hemisphere winter. Prices for LNG in Europe and Asia have risen to roughly their highest levels since late 2022, threatening to push utility bills higher through the coldest months.
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There is little sign of a near-term fix. Tehran has said it will not soften its conditions for reopening Hormuz, and President Donald Trump has sent mixed signals about his willingness to reach a deal. A peace agreement between the US and Iran remains elusive.
Roughly once a month since the conflict started, QatarEnergy has updated customers on the force majeure and scrapped scheduled deliveries. The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Ras Laffan export facility has operated at reduced capacity since it was attacked and damaged in March. The plant is being kept ready to increase output quickly if the strait reopens.
The recurring cancellations now leave importers hunting for alternative supply just as the market can least absorb the strain, locking in constrained flows and high prices.
