Strait of Hormuz uncertainty, Asia's LPG scramble as Middle East flows stall

Tensions between US-Israel and Iran are disrupting flows in the Strait of Hormuz, forcing Asia's LPG market to manage surging prices and shifting optimization to urgent supply management. With Middle East shipments threatened, especially for India and China facing low inventories and weak PDH margins, buyers are scrambling for alternative supplies and shipping.

The Platts Oil Markets Podcast covers the immediate impacts: stalled vessels, rising freight rates, record high premiums, and a rapid move toward US LPG diversification, despite export terminal disruptions. The episode also looks ahead at inventory strategies, diversification of supply sources, and whether this crisis will permanently reshape the global LPG trade.

Regina Sher, manager of the Asia oil products pricing team, and Norazlina Jumaat and Jeff Ong, reporters for Asia oil products, discuss the impact of this supply disruption on the LPG market.