Korean tanker attempts Hormuz transit after Seoul-Tehran coordination

A Korean tanker stranded near the Strait of Hormuz has begun sailing along an Iran-approved route after coordination between Seoul and Tehran, marking the first known tanker transit attempt by a Korean vessel since maritime traffic in the region was disrupted earlier this year. A Ministry of Foreign Affairs official said Wednesday that Iran informed the Korean Embassy in Tehran on Monday night that one Korean vessel would be allowed to transit the strait. The Korean government relayed the message to HMM, the shipping company, which later decided to proceed with the voyage. The vessel, identified as the HMM-owned crude carrier Universal Winner, began sailing from waters near Qatar early Tuesday and was expected to pass through the Gulf of Oman on Wednesday while moving along a route proposed by Iran, according to the official. “The movement is taking place in coordination with Iran and other relevant countries to ensure navigational safety,” the official said. The transit came about two weeks after HMM Namu, another HMM-operated vessel in the region, was struck by two unidentified air

Original source: Korea Times