Explainer-What are the risks of an LNG tanker explosion?

AI Summary

A Qatari liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker was damaged and at risk of explosion after an attack near the Strait of Hormuz. While catastrophic LNG tanker explosions have not occurred commercially, recent attacks on energy shipping vessels in regional conflicts have raised concerns.

By Marwa Rashad LONDON, July 8 (Reuters) - A Qatari tanker loaded with liquefied natural gas (LNG) was at risk of exploding, one source said, after it sustained significant damage in an attack on the Omani side of the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday. While the LNG industry has experienced a few accidents at onshore facilities, there has never been a catastrophic LNG cargo-tank explosion on a commercial LNG carrier at sea. Recent targeting of energy shipping vessels by belligerents in both the Ukraine and Iran wars has raised concerns, however.