Qatar, Saudi Arabia condemn attack on Pakistan-bound LNG tanker in Gulf waters

Qatar and Saudi Arabia have condemned an attack on a liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker reportedly carrying cargo destined for Pakistan through Gulf waters, calling it a “dangerous act” that threatened the security of global energy supplies.

Pakistan had negotiated with Iran to secure safe passage for the LNG carrier, Al Mayeda, before the ship was attacked near the Strait of Hormuz last week, Bloomberg reported on Sunday, citing people with direct knowledge of the matter.

The Marshall Islands-flagged vessel was sailing toward the waterway loaded with LNG from Qatar when it came under fire, the people said, asking not to be named as they were not authorized to speak to the media. Just hours earlier, Iranian authorities were understood to have provided a green light, they added.

In a statement, the Qatari foreign ministry said it had initiated the necessary investigations to determine the circumstances of the incident and identify those responsible for the attack on the vessel.

This story was originally published by Hellenic Shipping News. Read the full story at Hellenic Shipping News →