Korean Ship Passes Red Sea for First Time After Hormuz Strait Blockade Affects Crude Oil Supply

Middle East War Key News

(Central News Agency reporter Yang Chi-fang, Seoul, 17th) After the Hormuz Strait was blockaded, the South Korean Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced today that a South Korean vessel loaded with crude oil passed through the Red Sea for the first time today, and the government is conducting 24-hour monitoring to ensure safety; this is a response measure taken due to unstable crude oil supply caused by the Middle East conflict.

Yonhap News Agency reported today that the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries stated that a South Korean vessel loaded with crude oil in Saudi Arabia has safely passed through the Red Sea. This is the first case of crude oil being transported back to South Korea via the Red Sea, an alternative route, after the Hormuz Strait blockade.

The report pointed out that since the outbreak of conflict between Israel and Hamas in October 2023, there have been 79 attacks on ships in the Red Sea. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries stated that during the ship's navigation in the Red Sea, the government conducts 24-hour real-time monitoring, provides navigation safety information, and operates real-time communication channels to ensure the safety of crew and ships.

Previously, in the State Council meeting and emergency economic review meeting, the government had discussed using the Red Sea as an alternative route, monitoring ship safety while ensuring crude oil supply. Therefore, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries also cooperated with relevant departments such as the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the industry to promote the plan of using the Red Sea as an alternative route to the Hormuz Strait.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries explained that this passage through the Red Sea is a case where the government's response measures actually achieved results in the context of intensified uncertainty in crude oil supply due to the Middle East war. Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Hwang Jong-woo stated, "In the future, while considering the safety of our ships and crew, we will continue to cooperate with relevant departments and the industry to ensure the smooth transportation of crude oil from the Middle East to our country." (Edited by Chen Hui-ping) 1150417

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