Europe and Asia Battle for Spot LNG Amid Qatari Export Halt and Hormuz Blockage

Global energy markets are facing severe disruption as competition intensifies between European and Asian buyers for limited spot LNG cargoes. The supply crunch follows a complete halt in Qatari LNG exports, significantly tightening availability in an already sensitive market. Adding to the volatility, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz has blocked approximately 20% of global LNG flows, creating a massive logistical bottleneck. Reports indicate that major importers across South and Southeast Asia have already failed to secure spot deliveries for March 2026 due to the scarcity. This unprecedented supply-demand imbalance is expected to drive prices for JKM and TTF benchmarks to new highs as energy security concerns mount globally.