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As tensions in the Middle East rise and energy security becomes critical, a South Korean-flagged tanker has, for the first time, successfully transported crude oil via the Red Sea, bypassing the Strait of Hormuz.
On the 17th, South Korea’s Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said the vessel, which loaded crude at Saudi Arabia’s Yanbu port, sailed safely through the Red Sea despite threats from Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
The voyage is the first concrete outcome of government efforts to secure alternate routes after the unprecedented closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Since the Israel–Hamas conflict, Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea have increased, making transit there highly risky. From late 2023 through the present, the area has recorded as many as 79 attacks on vessels.
To protect the tanker, authorities put in place 24-hour, real-time monitoring for the vessel throughout its voyage.
The ministry maintained direct communications with the shipowner and crew, issuing live safety updates. Officials say the operation underscores close coordination between the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and other agencies, working with industry partners to proactively reduce uncertainty in crude supply.
Minister Hwang Jong-woo said, “We will prioritize the safety of our vessels and seafarers. We will continue to coordinate with relevant agencies to ensure domestic oil shipments proceed without disruption as developments in the Middle East evolve.”
Officials expect the move to ease pressure on domestic crude supplies even amid energy shocks originating in the Middle East.
