South Korean LNG Carrier Passes Through Strait of Hormuz, Second Since HMM Tanker

Another South Korean vessel that had been stranded in the Strait of Hormuz due to the Middle East conflict 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 Universal Winner.

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

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

Its destination is not South Korea.

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

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 operations through real-time monitoring to ensure the vessel's safe passage," adding, "We cannot disclose specific information regarding the vessel, such as the shipping company, vessel name, or charterer, out of consideration for the crew and the shipping company's position."

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 yesterday.

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.

There are a total of 139 South Korean crew members currently in the strait, including those serving on foreign vessels.
 
(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.