Vessel loaded at Saudi Arabia's Yanbu port opts for northern Red Sea route

Shipping firm, charterer choose Suez Canal over Bab el-Mandeb Strait

A merchant vessel passes through an international shipping lane near Yemen's Hanish Islands in the Red Sea on Tuesday (local time). [AFP]
A merchant vessel passes through an international shipping lane near Yemen's Hanish Islands in the Red Sea on Tuesday (local time). [AFP]

A South Korean vessel loaded with crude oil at Saudi Arabia's Yanbu port has transited the Suez Canal via the northern Red Sea route and is now heading home. The ship is the 20th crude oil carrier to pass through the Red Sea, taking the northern passage instead of the southern Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said the 20th crude oil carrier safely cleared the Suez Canal and was en route to South Korea as of 10 a.m. Sunday.

The shipping company and charterer made the decision on the route. The ministry closely monitored the vessel's movements while it transited the Red Sea and provided navigational safety information. It also maintained a real-time communications channel with the shipping firm and the ship.

The vessel's name, shipping company and charterer were not disclosed out of concern for the safety of the ship and its crew.


adastra@heraldcorp.com