Gulf Disruptions Reshape Asian LNG Trade Flows From UAE and Qatar

Maritime corridor disruptions across the Strait of Hormuz have reshaped liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply patterns connecting Gulf producers with Asian markets, according to an analysis released by Drewry on October 26, 2026.

Before the disruptions, LNG exports from the United Arab Emirates and Qatar represented approximately 20 percent of total global demand, with the majority of those shipments directed toward Asian consumers. Persistent transport bottlenecks and elevated spot market prices have led buyers in China, South Korea, and Japan to increasingly secure replacement volumes from the United States and Australia.

Drewry analysts Santosh Gupta and Rahul Sharan stated that Chinese and other regional importers are moving away from spot market purchases and just-in-time shipping models, opting instead for strictly enforced long-term supply contracts. The consultancy also reported that Asian utility companies are expected to build up domestic LNG storage reserves to safeguard against ongoing transit and maritime vulnerabilities.