Vessel departed Saudi Arabia's Yanbu port, now en route to South Korea; Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries providing round-the-clock monitoring and safety support

Ships anchored near Iran's Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz. Bloomberg reported May 20, local time, that a large South Korean oil tanker was attempting to transit the strait. [Getty Images]
Ships anchored near Iran's Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz. Bloomberg reported May 20, local time, that a large South Korean oil tanker was attempting to transit the strait. [Getty Images]

Seven South Korean vessels have now transported crude oil to the country via the Red Sea route.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said Sunday that as of 10 a.m., a South Korean vessel loaded with crude oil at Saudi Arabia's Yanbu port had safely transited the Red Sea and was en route to South Korea.

The ministry has been releasing updates on South Korean vessels transporting crude oil through the Red Sea since April 17, following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

The latest vessel marks the seventh to complete the Red Sea passage. It is a Very Large Crude-Oil Carrier, or VLCC, capable of carrying an average of approximately 2 million barrels of crude oil.

While the vessel navigated the Red Sea, the ministry conducted round-the-clock monitoring and provided navigational safety information. It also maintained a live communications network among the ministry, the shipping company and the vessel to support safe passage, the ministry said.

The ministry said it would continue to support the safety of South Korean vessels and crew members and help stabilize the country's crude oil supply. However, it withheld specific details — including the names of the shipping company, the vessel and the charterer — out of concern for the safety of the ship and its crew.


adastra@heraldcorp.com