On May 8, a South Korean oil tanker successfully transited the Red Sea and is currently on its return voyage to South Korea. This marks the fourth South Korean vessel to transport oil via the Red Sea waterway since the country opened an alternative route.

With the Strait of Hormuz under a sustained blockade, South Korea has been actively seeking alternative shipping routes in recent weeks to safeguard the nation's oil supply security.

According to South Korea's Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, the tanker completed loading oil at the port of Yanbu in Saudi Arabia and passed through the Red Sea waterway at around 11:00 a.m. local time on May 8. However, specific navigational details of the vessel were not disclosed.

Since Iran imposed the blockade on the Strait of Hormuz, South Korea has been guiding its tankers to divert via the Red Sea route. Sources indicate that the first South Korean tanker to take this alternative route following the blockade arrived at the port of Yeosu, South Korea, on May 7, carrying approximately two million barrels of oil. That vessel departed the Red Sea in April. Earlier last week, another two South Korean tankers also successfully transited the Red Sea.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries stated that it will continue efforts to stabilize oil supplies to South Korea and implement measures to protect the safety of Korean vessels and crew members navigating in the relevant sea areas.