Red Sea route continues after Strait of Hormuz closure; Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries provides round-the-clock monitoring and real-time safety support

A South Korean vessel safely transits the Red Sea while transporting crude oil bound for South Korea, as of Wednesday morning. [Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries/Gemini]
A South Korean vessel safely transits the Red Sea while transporting crude oil bound for South Korea, as of Wednesday morning. [Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries/Gemini]

The number of South Korean oil tankers transporting crude oil home via the Red Sea has risen to eight since the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said Friday that as of noon, one South Korean vessel had safely transited the Red Sea and was en route to South Korea with crude oil.

The vessel is the eighth to load crude at Saudi Arabia's Yanbu port and sail through the Red Sea bound for South Korea since the Strait of Hormuz closed. It is a very large crude-oil carrier, or VLCC, capable of carrying an average of approximately 2 million barrels of crude oil.

The ministry has been releasing updates on the movements of South Korean vessels transporting crude oil through the Red Sea since April 17.

While the vessel navigated the Red Sea, the ministry conducted round-the-clock monitoring and provided navigational safety information. It also operated a real-time communications channel among the ministry, the shipping company and the vessel to support the safety of the ship and its crew.

The ministry said it plans to continue providing the necessary support to ensure the safety of South Korean vessels and to stabilize the country's crude oil supply.

However, specific details — including the names of the shipping company and vessel, as well as the charterer — were not disclosed out of concern for potential threats to the safety of the ship and its crew.


adastra@heraldcorp.com