A South Korea-owned vessel has successfully navigated the Red Sea, marking it as the first Korean ship to utilize this critical alternative route for crude oil transport since the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the government announced Friday.
“It is welcome news that, for the first time since the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a South Korean vessel is safely transporting crude oil via the Red Sea,” President Lee Jae Myung stated on X, commending officials and crew for their dedicated efforts in establishing this vital passage.
While some crude oil has occasionally reached Korea via the Red Sea, oil exporters have historically favored the Strait of Hormuz, primarily due to the persistent risk of attacks by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels along the Red Sea route.
The Oceans Ministry, in close collaboration with relevant government agencies and industry stakeholders, spearheaded the implementation of this strategic shipping plan. The ministry also provided continuous, round-the-clock monitoring and comprehensive safety support throughout the vessel’s journey through the Red Sea, including real-time communication with the ship and its operating company.
This successful passage arrives as South Korea intensifies efforts to secure its oil supply from the Middle East, a region from which it procures approximately 70 percent of its crude imports. Over 95 percent of these crucial shipments traditionally pass through the Strait of Hormuz, leaving the nation highly vulnerable to potential disruptions in global energy supply chains.
Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Hwang Jong-woo affirmed that the government remains committed to working alongside related agencies and the maritime industry to ensure the continued safe and stable transport of crude oil to South Korea.
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