An alarm has been sounded in Greek shipping following two consecutive strikes on ships belonging to GasLog, the shipping company owned by Greek shipowner Peter Livanos, within a span of just five days.
Two GasLog LNG carriers found themselves at the center of attacks in two critical maritime regions, Egypt and the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting the growing risks for energy transport vessels amid the intense geopolitical crisis in the Middle East.
One of the vessels, the GasLog Shanghai, with a capacity of 155,000 cubic meters and built in 2013, was attacked late on July 31 while located in the region of the Strait of Hormuz. The ship was loaded with LNG on behalf of QatarEnergy, having previously picked up its cargo from Qatar's Ras Laffan export terminal.
According to disclosed information, the ship was struck on the port side of the engine room, resulting in a fire. The attack was attributed to Iran, which stands at the center of the escalation in the region.
GasLog had initially reported that an "incident" occurred on the vessel, without providing further details on the circumstances of the event or whether there was damage to the ship and cargo. Subsequently, released images revealed the extent of the damage to the ship.
The company announced that it immediately activated its emergency response plan, notified the relevant authorities, and proceeded with an assessment of the vessel's condition, confirming that all aboard were safe.
Second strike on a GasLog vessel
At the same time, another GasLog vessel suffered damage in a separate attack in Egypt, according to the same information, a fact that heightens concerns over maritime security.
The fact that two ships from the same shipping line found themselves at the center of attacks within a few days raises new questions about the risks faced by LNG carrier companies, as maritime energy routes have turned into a theater of heightened tension.
Focus on the world's energy "artery"
The Strait of Hormuz constitutes one of the most important energy corridors globally. A significant portion of global oil and LNG exports from Gulf countries transits through this specific maritime route. Nearly one fifth of global LNG trade passes through the region, including cargoes from Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
The heightened tension in the region has caused concern in the shipping market, as any disruption or threat to transit through the Straits can impact energy markets, natural gas prices, and global supply chains.
The strategic importance of LNG
GasLog constitutes one of the major international players in the field of LNG transport vessels. Its fleet operates in the transport of liquefied natural gas, a fuel of growing importance for global energy security.
The incident with the GasLog Shanghai acquires particular gravity also due to the cargo's connection to Qatar, one of the largest LNG exporters in the world.
Attacks on energy transport vessels bring the issue of protecting commercial ships in strategically important regions back to the fore, with the international shipping community closely monitoring developments.
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