Following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, South Korean oil tankers are seeking alternative routes and are now transporting crude oil through the Suez Canal north of the Red Sea.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries stated that a South Korean oil tanker loaded crude oil at the port of Yanbu in Saudi Arabia, passed through the Suez Canal, and is currently sailing toward South Korea.

This marks the 16th instance of crude oil being transported to South Korea via the Red Sea detour since the closure of the Strait of Hormuz in late February.

However, the previous 15 tankers loaded crude oil at the port of Yanbu and passed through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait in the southern Red Sea, whereas this voyage is distinct in that it passed through the Suez Canal.

This is the first case of crude oil being transported to South Korea via the Suez Canal in the Red Sea following the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

Tensions in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait have escalated due to military clashes between Saudi Arabia and Yemen's pro-Iran Houthi rebels.

There had been no cases of South Korean oil tankers loading crude oil at the port of Yanbu and passing through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait since June 19.

Consequently, refiners worldwide have been exploring alternative routes that sail north from the port of Yanbu through the relatively safer Suez Canal. However, this option inevitably increases the burden of additional costs due to the longer shipping distance.

(Photo: Yonhap News)