Overview
- Up to 35% of the world’s helium is now disrupted after Iran’s strikes damaged Qatar’s Ras Laffan LNG complex and exports through the Strait of Hormuz stalled, with roughly a third of specialized cryogenic containers stranded.
- Liquid helium boils off in about 45 days, so blocked cargoes cannot be stockpiled for long and losses become permanent, which keeps the shortage severe even as natural gas prices have eased.
- Semiconductor makers that depend on the region for more than 60% of their helium face mounting risk, with reporting warning that shortages lasting past roughly two months could force TSMC to ration wafer starts or accept yield losses.
- Prices have jumped, with spot helium up 70% to 100% and contract rates up as much as 40%, costs that chip foundries are expected to pass to customers who buy advanced processors.
- High‑capacity helium‑filled hard drives now cost about 20% to 30% more, because helium’s thin, stable gas lets manufacturers pack in more platters and run drives cooler with less drag.