A South Korean supertanker secured safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday under coordination with Iran. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun confirmed the development during a parliamentary session in Seoul. The vessel became the first South Korean-flagged ship to exit the waterway since the US-Iran war erupted in late February. The successful transit offers a cautious sign that diplomatic efforts can restore movement through the critical energy chokepoint.
Cho told lawmakers that consultations with Iranian authorities had concluded and the vessel had begun sailing cautiously. He also mentioned that the tanker carried roughly 2 million barrels of crude oil. The foreign ministry later confirmed the ship had cleared the high-risk zone and entered safer waters. About 10 South Korean crew members remained aboard throughout the journey. Ship-tracking data identified the vessel as the supertanker Universal Winner operated by shipping giant HMM. The ship loaded Kuwaiti crude oil and set course for Ulsan in South Korea.
Iran’s government notified the South Korean embassy in Tehran on Monday night about the permission. Consequently, the tanker used a Tehran-approved route south of Larak Island to ensure safe passage. The vessel began sailing Tuesday morning from waters near Qatar and followed the path that earlier ships took after the conflict broke out. Officials stressed that neither the government nor the shipping company paid any transit fee or security charge. Tehran previously demanded such payments publicly but Seoul secured the movement without any costs. Furthermore, the vessel never called at Iranian ports and therefore remains unlikely to face United States sanctions.
The coordinated movement came 88 days into the Middle East conflict that severely disrupted commercial shipping. Seoul pursued the breakthrough through months of intense diplomacy including four phone calls between the South Korean and Iranian foreign ministers. A special envoy also spent about two weeks in the region while embassies in both capitals maintained constant contact. South Korea will now request free passage for the remaining 25 South Korea-linked vessels near the strait. Officials plan to prioritize ships with South Korean crew members and cargoes essential to the national economy.
The foreign ministry emphasized that the transit had no connection to the recent attack on the bulk carrier HMM Namu. Nonetheless, some observers suggested Iran allowed passage partly due to diplomatic pressure following international criticism. Meanwhile, Seoul continues close consultations with Washington on sanctions risks as the US Treasury earlier warned against toll payments to Iran. Two Chinese tankers also attempted similar transits along designated routes on the same day. The Ocean Lily stopped transmitting its location while the Yuan Gui Yang lingered for hours. For Seoul, the safe passage marks a diplomatic opening that may stabilize energy shipments from the Gulf.
