One More South Korean Ship Exits Strait of Hormuz Amid Tensions
Quick Look
- One additional South Korean-operated vessel has exited the Strait of Hormuz, leaving only two South Korea-linked ships in the Persian Gulf.
- The vehicle carrier, with six sailors, safely passed through the waterway.
- Two ships remain: the HMM Namu undergoing repairs and another vessel.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
One additional South Korean-operated vessel has exited the Strait of Hormuz after being stranded amid the U.S.-Iran conflict. The vehicle carrier safely passed through the strategic waterway.
SEOUL, July 1 (Yonhap) -- One additional South Korean-operated vessel has exited the Strait of Hormuz after being stranded there amid the U.S.-Iran war, bringing the total number of ships remaining in the region to just two, the oceans ministry said Wednesday.
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said the vehicle carrier bound for South Korea safely passed through the strategic waterway and is sailing normally, with six Korean sailors on board.
It was among the 26 South Korea-related vessels that had been stranded in the strait after Iran blocked shipping routes in the waterway in late February amid its conflict with the United States and Israel.
With the latest departure, only the HMM Namu, which sustained damage in Iranian-linked missile attacks and is undergoing repairs at a port in Dubai, and one other ship are South Korea-linked vessels still within the Persian Gulf.
The ministry said the HMM Namu is expected to leave the strait in late July after repairs are completed, while the other vessel will likely resume its sailing in accordance with its shipping schedule.
A total of 35 South Korean sailors now remain in the Persian Gulf, including 28 aboard foreign-flagged ships, according to the ministry.
Open Questions
- What is the nature of the conflict causing the shipping route blockades?
- What are the specific security measures in place for the remaining ships?
