Al-Rekayyat Vessel Reviews and Specifications

As of July 8, the 'Al Rekayyat,' a tanker previously abandoned following an attack in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, continues to drift undisturbed. Fortunately, the liquefied natural gas (LNG) stored in the vessel’s tanks remains secure, with no breach detected in the cargo tanks. Experts suggest that as long as the tanker is not subjected to additional attacks, it is unlikely to pose an explosion risk. However, a breach of the main tank would result in catastrophic consequences. Currently, two vessels—a tugboat and a service ship—are stationed nearby to monitor the situation. The tanker is situated close to the entrance of the Strait of Hormuz, not far from the coast of Oman, raising concerns about maritime safety in this crucial maritime passage.

On July 6 and 7, 2026, the Strait of Hormuz witnessed a troubling incident as three tankers were assaulted by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The attacked vessels included the LNG tanker 'Al Rekayyat', the Saudi Arabian vessel 'Wedyan', and the 'Cyprus Prosperity', which came under fire on July 7 at approximately 1:05 PM. Reports indicate that projectiles struck the tankers while navigating near the strait's entrance. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Organisation (UKMTO) confirmed that on July 6 at 9:19 PM UTC, the 'Al Rekayyat' was hit by an unidentified projectile about eight nautical miles off Limah, igniting a fire in its engine room. The captain issued a distress call stating, "Mayday mayday mayday. This is vessel Al Rekayyat, LNG vessel Al Rekayyat. We are being hit by drone on port side, top of engine room," and later reported significant smoke and fire, complicating damage assessment. Prior to the assault, the IRGC had broadcast ominous radio warnings to maritime traffic, threatening, "Our missiles and drones are ready to fire at you," as captured in recordings from the scene. The attack raised immediate safety concerns for the 'Al Rekayyat', which was the first LNG vessel from Qatar involved in this conflict to be struck since hostilities ignited in late February. The 'Al Rekayyat' is owned and managed by Nakilat, known for operating one of the largest LNG shipping fleets globally. Furthermore, it was observed that the ship’s AIS tracking transponder had been turned off since June 18. The 'Wedyan', operating under the auspices of Saudi shipper Bahri, was also implicated in the conflict. In a robust response, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry positioned Tehran as fully accountable for the attack on the 'Al Rekayyat'. Adding to the tensions, the LPG tanker 'Al Maryah' was intercepted by Iranian forces on July 7 and was instructed to alter its course closer to Iran's coastline after an attempt to pass through Omani waters. This series of incidents underscores the dangerous climate in the strategically crucial Strait of Hormuz, raising alarms about maritime security in the region.

Qatargas has marked a significant milestone by delivering its inaugural liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargo to PetroChina's newly-established LNG receiving terminal located in Rudong, Jiangsu Province. The vital shipment was transported aboard the Q-Flex LNG carrier, named 'Al-Rekayyat'. This delivery not only underscores Qatargas's commitment to expanding its global footprint but also enhances PetroChina's capabilities in natural gas procurement in the region.