Shipping data shows that a liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier crossed the Bab al-Mandab Strait this week before heading into the Red Sea, LSEG and Kpler learnt on 21 June local time.
According to ship tracking data from LSEG and Kpler, the tanker named "Asya Energy" successfully crossed Yemen on Tuesday and travelled through Bab al-Mandab Strait.
LSEG analyst Olumide Ajayi noted in his report: "Since January this year, LNG navigation in the Red Sea has been temporarily suspended due to the Red Sea crisis. And 'Asya Energy' became the first vessel to resume LNG tanker traffic in the strait." He further confirmed that the vessel was carrying cargo.
Most LNG tankers have opted to avoid the route after the Houthis carried out numerous drone and missile strikes in the Red Sea region. The Houthis claimed the attacks were in solidarity with the Palestinians in Israel's war on Gaza and subsequently extended them to other busy waterways.
The Suez Canal, the shortest shipping route connecting the Red Sea to the Mediterranean Sea and linked to the Gulf of Aden through the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, plays an important role in international trade.
Kpler data shows the Palau-flagged "Asya Energy" heading for Gibraltar. According to LSEG data, the vessel had called at Sohar harbour in Oman prior to its departure.
No information is available on the charterer of the vessel. And according to Equasis, Nur Global Shipping is managing the vessel, which is owned by Lule One Services, both companies based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Ana Subasic, gas and LNG analyst at Kpler, said: "'Asya Energy' is the first vessel to sail into the Red Sea shipping lane since 12 January. Previously, it had been waiting off the coast of Oman since mid-January." She further noted, "Currently, signals coming to our platform via the Automatic Identification System (AIS) indicate that the vessel has set a course for the Gibraltar checkpoint, but given the current situation, it is too early to make an accurate prediction."
She added: "We are keeping a close eye on this and awaiting more interim raw signals or feedback from market sources."
The Houthis took emergency action in the Red Sea to prevent further attacks on merchant ships on 2 March, about two weeks after the missile strike, following the first sinking of the British-owned Rubymar by the Houthis.
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