Emirati LNG Tanker Mubaraz Breaks Two Month Maritime Deadlock in Iran Contested Strait of Hormuz

The LNG carrier Mubaraz has bypassed the Iranian blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, the first fully loaded gas shipment to exit the Gulf in nearly two months.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 28, 2026, 6:16 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from AFP

A Breakthrough in the Blockaded Waterway

A critical logjam in global energy markets showed signs of easing on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, as the first fully laden liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker in nearly two months successfully navigated the Strait of Hormuz. The vessel, identified as the Mubaraz, is operated by the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc). According to tracking data provided by the marine intelligence firm Kpler, the ship’s departure represents a high stakes gamble against a virtual Iranian blockade that has effectively shuttered the world’s most vital maritime chokepoint since March 2.

Tactical Maneuvers and Silent Transit

The journey of the Mubaraz was characterized by extreme caution and tactical silence typical of modern conflict zone navigation. The vessel originally loaded its cargo of 132,890 cubic meters of LNG at Das Island in the United Arab Emirates on March 2, just as the regional conflict ignited. For nearly a month, the ship remained stationary or obscured, eventually switching off its Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponder in late March to avoid detection. It only resumed transmissions yesterday after reaching the safety of the Indian coast, confirming its successful escape from the Gulf.

Uncertain Window of Passage Amid Conflict

Marine analysts are still piecing together the exact timing of the transit, which appears to have taken advantage of a brief de-escalation window. Kpler analyst Charles Costerousse noted that the Mubaraz likely crossed the strait during the weekend of April 18–19, a period when several vessels made a desperate attempt to break the blockade. While seven other LNG tankers were observed maneuvering near the strait during that timeframe, the Mubaraz is the only one confirmed to have exited with a full commercial load, as prior transits, such as that of the Sohar LNG, involved empty or lightly ballasted ships.