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Qatar Asks Ships to Go Dark at LNG Port in New Safety Measure

Bloomberg • May 12, 2026

Qatar is asking ships near its main liquefied natural gas export facility to turn off their transponders, apparently triggering a wave of tankers going dark across the Persian Gulf.

The directive came this week for vessels within Ras Laffan port, anchorages and port waters to switch off their Automatic Identification System, people familiar with the matter said, asking not to be identified because of lack of authorization to speak to media. The move is a safety measure, one of the people said.

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Qatar Orders Ships to Disable Transponders Amid Security Threats Qatar has instructed ships at its main LNG export facility, Ras Laffan, to turn off their transponders as a safety measure due to heightened security risks in the Persian Gulf. This directive, issued this week, affects vessels within the port and surrounding waters. At least nine LNG tankers ceased transmitting signals as of May 11, 2026. The region has experienced significant security issues, including a recent drone attack on a cargo ship that caused a fire. The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has led to increased threats, with Iran effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for oil and gas shipments. One LNG shipment managed to transit the chokepoint following negotiations between Pakistan and Iran for safe passage. The situation remains fluid, with some vessels altering their routes or going dark entirely. 2 sources 74

Qatar Asks Ships to Go Dark at LNG Port in New Safety Measure

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