Any prolonged interruption to Qatari exports would be felt across both Asia and Europe. Countries including Japan, South Korea and China depend heavily on LNG imports, and Qatar is one of the world’s largest suppliers, exporting more than 75 million tonnes each year from its facilities at Ras Laffan Industrial City.
Traders say spot LNG prices and tanker freight rates have already begun to climb amid uncertainty over the scale and duration of the disruption.
Disruptions to gas shipments
The squeeze on supply has been compounded by disruptions to oil and gas shipments passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Tensions involving Iran have slowed tanker traffic across the Gulf, pushing up transportation costs and tightening energy supplies for countries that rely heavily on imports.
India is one of those countries. Roughly 60% of its liquefied petroleum gas requirements are imported, meaning global disruptions can quickly filter down into domestic markets.
The effects are now becoming visible in everyday life. Households and kitchens across several Indian cities have begun adjusting how they cook to stretch their LPG cylinders. Meals that require long cooking times or heavy frying are being avoided, with simpler dishes such as rice and lentils replacing more elaborate meals.
Adjustments in the kitchen
These adjustments help kitchens keep operating with limited fuel until supplies stabilise. But the shift is hitting small vendors the hardest. Many rely on daily food sales to cover rent, buy groceries, pay school fees, or simply keep their businesses running.
The Indian government has introduced emergency measures to manage limited gas supplies. Officials say households and essential services will receive priority access while authorities work to stabilise the market.
