SEOUL: South Korea has successfully transported crude oil via an alternative maritime route through the Red Sea for the first time since disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, the country’s oceans ministry confirmed on Friday.
The development comes as Seoul moves to safeguard its energy security following heightened tensions in the Middle East that led to restricted access through the key oil transit chokepoint.
As a nation heavily dependent on energy imports, South Korea has been actively seeking contingency routes to maintain stable supplies.
Earlier this month, authorities announced plans to dispatch multiple Korean-flagged vessels to Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea port of Yanbu, establishing a viable alternative corridor for crude shipments. The latest transit marks a significant milestone in those efforts, according to AFP.
Officials described the shipment as the first instance of crude being delivered to South Korea via the Red Sea detour since the Hormuz route became constrained.
The achievement underscores coordinated efforts across government agencies and the maritime sector to adapt to evolving geopolitical challenges.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung welcomed the development, praising the joint efforts of ministries and seafarers involved in ensuring the success of the operation under difficult conditions.
Government officials further noted that the country has secured access to more than 270 million barrels of crude oil through routes unaffected by the Hormuz situation, a volume sufficient to meet over three months of national demand based on previous consumption levels.
The move reflects South Korea’s broader strategy to diversify supply lines and reduce vulnerability to disruptions in critical global energy corridors.
