Reuters quoted two sources as saying that Qatar – one of the largest exporters of liquefied natural gas in the world – informed the Spanish electricity utility Endesa of a delay in an liquefied gas shipment due to tension in the country.
The Red Sea situation
The Houthi group’s attacks on ships in the Red Sea disrupted the movement of goods and commodities to European countries.
Qatar Energy recently decided to take the longer route via the Cape of Good Hope due to the conflict, and this week informed Edison and other buyers in Europe, as well as some British stations – where it has long-term contracts – that it would delay or reschedule shipments, according to what Reuters reported.
One of the two sources told the agency that the shipment bound for Endesa may be delayed by about 10 to 12 days.
Endesa declined to comment on Reuters’ request, and the Qatari company did not immediately respond for comment.
Qatar Energy Company said last Wednesday that Qatar’s production of liquefied natural gas continues without interruption, and that its commitment is firm to ensuring reliable supplies of liquefied natural gas to its customers.
She added in a statement at the time, “While developments in the Red Sea region may affect the scheduling of some LNG shipments from Qatar because they may take alternative routes, their delivery is being managed with our customers.”
The Red Sea is witnessing tensions due to threats by the Yemeni Houthi group against Israeli ships or those carrying Israeli goods in solidarity with the Gaza Strip, which has been subjected to continuous aggression for more than 110 days.
The tension in the Red Sea disrupted trade on the main east-west route, which represents about 12% of global shipping traffic.
In 2023, Qatar exported more than 75 million tons of liquefied natural gas, according to the data, including 14 million to Europe and 56.4 million to Asia.
Qatar is the largest supplier of liquefied natural gas to Europe after the United States, and it accounted for about 13% of Western European consumption last year.
