QatarEnergy Declares Force Majeure on LNG, Up to 90 Cargoes Halted Amid Strait of Hormuz Crisis

The global liquefied natural gas (LNG) market faces a severe new shock as QatarEnergy, a top global supplier, declares force majeure on shipments through May. This legal move, triggered by the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and damage to Qatari infrastructure, effectively cancels contractual obligations for key customers in Italy, Belgium, South Korea, and China. The disruption could halt as many as 90 cargoes, representing a significant portion of global flows already under severe strain.

The declaration follows weeks of escalating regional conflict tied to the United States-Israeli war on Iran, which has crippled a critical maritime chokepoint. With up to 20% of global LNG shipments potentially shuttered, the force majeure clause is being invoked to absolve QatarEnergy from delivery failures due to what it deems unforeseeable events. This action mirrors recent moves by petroleum companies in Kuwait and Bahrain, signaling a widening pattern of supply chain breakdowns across the Gulf.

The immediate fallout intensifies pressure on European and Asian energy markets already grappling with tight supplies. QatarEnergy CEO Saad al-Kaabi recently cited an Iranian attack on Qatar as a direct cause of the operational crisis. The prolonged disruption through May raises the risk of price volatility and supply shortfalls for importing nations, further destabilizing an energy landscape where LNG has become a strategic commodity.