(Oct 5): Shipments of liquefied natural gas through the Strait of Hormuz extended a rebound that began in September, as the region’s producers seek to restore supplies to energy-starved customers.

At least three LNG shipments have exited the key waterway since late last week, according to ship-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg and Kpler. While outbound traffic in September climbed to the highest level since the Iran conflict began in late February, flows remain more than 75% below pre-war levels.

The market is closely watching LNG shipments through Hormuz for signs of relief from a supply crunch that last month pushed prices in Europe and Asia to the highest since late 2022. A sustained recovery could help ease prices just before the Northern Hemisphere winter, when heating demand typically surges.

The increase in traffic comes as risks to shipping remain acute following a flurry of incidents in recent days. UK Maritime Trade Operations said it received a report of a tanker being hit by an unknown projectile within Hormuz on Oct 4.

Uploaded by Arion Yeow