Second South Korean Vessel Passes Through Strait of Hormuz Amid Middle East Tensions

Another South Korean vessel stranded in the Strait of Hormuz due to the war in the Middle East has successfully exited the strait.

This marks the second passage of a South Korean vessel through the Strait of Hormuz, following the HMM oil tanker, the Universal Winner.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced on Thursday (June 11) that "a second South Korean vessel has passed through the Strait of Hormuz from inside the strait."

The vessel is a liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier operated by a South Korean shipping company. Eight South Korean crew members are on board, and the ship is currently sailing normally after exiting the strait.

The vessel's destination is not South Korea.

It is reported that the negotiations with the Iranian side for the vessel's passage were led by the foreign charterer.

A charterer refers to a company that leases a ship from a shipping line.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries stated, "We are supporting safe navigation, including real-time monitoring, to ensure the vessel's safe passage," adding, "Specific information regarding the vessel, such as the shipping company, ship name, and charterer, cannot be disclosed in consideration of the positions of the crew and the shipping company."

This passage of a South Korean vessel through the Strait of Hormuz comes approximately 20 days after the Universal Winner exited the strait.

The oil tanker, carrying 2 million barrels of crude oil, arrived at Ulsan Port the previous day.

In the case of the Universal Winner, the South Korean government directly negotiated with the Iranian side to facilitate its passage.

With this development, the number of South Korean vessels stranded in the Strait of Hormuz has decreased to 24.

The total number of South Korean crew members currently in the strait, including those on foreign vessels, is 139.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.