When the smoke from the Strait of Hormuz slows down oil tankers, when Qatar's LNG giant ships are forced to detour around the Cape of Good Hope, Europe on the north coast of the Mediterranean is plunged into gas shortage anxiety. Across the strait, Algeria is quietly reaping the unexpected dividends brought by this crisis. This is not simply a matter of luck, but a precise location arbitrage.

Two weeks of 460000 tons of Algerian speed

Data does not lie. In the first two weeks of March 2026, Algeria's LNG exports surged to 462000 tons, a 74% month on month increase and a 56% year-on-year increase. This figure almost equalizes the level of some whole quarters last year, and can be considered a rare monthly growth rate.

The logic behind it is simple yet cruel: the turmoil in the Middle East has blocked the throat of global LNG trade, and the transportation cycle has been infinitely extended. At this point, Algeria's advantage in short distance travel is infinitely magnified - departing from Skikda Port, it only takes a few days to reach France and Spain; Qatar's ships, on the other hand, need to circumnavigate Africa, with an additional several weeks of travel. European buyers voted with their feet, with France's imports skyrocketing by 66% on a weekly basis, and Spain breaking diplomatic ice to resume imports. When energy security becomes the top priority, political differences can only give way to real heating needs.

From European bench to regional hub

If filling the gap in Europe is defensive, then exploring the Eastern market is offensive. The news shows that Fangzheng plans to shift some of its supply to sister Arab countries such as Egypt and Jordan. For Egypt, which lacks local gas sources, Algeria is not only a neighbor, but also the "most stable lifeline". This kind of eastward exploration is not only a business calculation to diversify risks, but also a political layout to expand regional influence.

At the same time, the first decline and then rise in crude oil exports also exposed its flexible allocation strategy: prioritizing gas supply when LNG prices are high, and replenishing oil when transportation capacity is restored. This ability to "eat by looking at dishes" is the survival wisdom of resource rich countries in turbulent markets.

The touchstone after highlights

However, under the frenzy, one needs to remain calm. The weekly export volume of 462000 tons is essentially a one-time realization of war dividends. When the Strait of Hormuz is reopened and US LNG production capacity is further released, can Algeria still hold onto this cake?

The memory of European buyers is only seven seconds, but the contract is long-term. If Algeria wants to upgrade from an emergency option in times of crisis to a necessary option in peacetime, relying solely on geographical advantages is far from enough. It must prove that it can not only save emergencies, but also endure. Keywords: international situation, Algeria, oil exports

The storm in the Middle East is both a touchstone and a warning bell. For the global energy market, this once again confirms a truth: on the chessboard of geopolitical games, whoever holds the irreplaceable logistics nodes holds the bargaining chip of pricing power. The turning point for Algeria has just begun.Editor/Cheng Liting