The global liquefied natural gas (LNG) trade has been disrupted by the ongoing conflict in Yemen, with most tankers avoiding the Red Sea route due to repeated drone and missile strikes by the Houthi rebels. However, a rare LNG tanker, the Asya Energy, has recently sailed through the Bab al-Mandab Strait and the Red Sea, marking the first such voyage since January.
The Asya Energy, a Palau-flagged vessel, was spotted passing through Yemen, transporting cargo, according to data from LSEG and Kpler. This is a significant development as most LNG tankers have steered clear of the region after the Houthis sank their first vessel, the British-owned Rubymar, in March 2022, and then a second ship just days before the Asya Energy’s passage.
The Suez Canal, which connects the Red Sea to the Mediterranean, is a critical shipping route between Europe and Asia, and the Bab al-Mandab Strait is a key chokepoint in this passage. The Houthi attacks have forced vessels to take the longer route around the Cape of Good Hope, which has tightened the supply of ships used to transport clean products such as gasoline and diesel.
According to LSEG analyst Olumide Ajayi, the Asya Energy is the first LNG tanker to sail through the Red Sea since January, when LNG voyages through the area were suspended due to the security concerns. The vessel is currently heading towards Gibraltar, likely to deliver its cargo to Europe.
While the reasons behind the Asya Energy’s decision to navigate the treacherous Red Sea are not entirely clear, the move may signal a cautious return of LNG traffic to the region, despite the ongoing threats. Leading industry groups have called for urgent action to address the Houthi attacks on merchant shipping, which have disrupted global trade and energy supply chains.