Another South Korean-operated vessel has passed through the Strait of Hormuz, the second such case amid regional tensions.
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said Thursday that a liquefied natural gas carrier operated by a Korean shipping company has successfully passed through the crisis-stricken Strait of Hormuz. The vessel operates under a charter agreement with a foreign party and has eight Korean crew members on board. The transit brings the number of South Korean vessels still in the strait down to 24 from 25, and Korean sailors down to 139 from 147. Details of the ship, company and charterer remain undisclosed. Last month, the oil tanker Universal Winner operated by HMM became the first to exit. It arrived off Ulsan on Wednesday carrying 2 million barrels of crude oil. The Foreign Ministry said it has stressed to Iranian authorities the importance of swift and safe navigation for all vessels, including South Korean ones. “We are continuing to communicate with relevant countries regarding this matter,” it added.