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International Cooperation Department
Tel.: (+86-21) 65853850-8034
Fax: (+86-21) 65373125
E-mail: ICDept@sisi-smu.org
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International Shipping |
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| Korean shipping industry expresses concerns over Middle East conflict |
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Date:2025-06-26 Readers:
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FEARS are mounting in the Korean shipping industry over potential damage to vessels and crews passing through the Strait of Hormuz, as Iran has threatened to block the vital oil trade route in retaliation for Israel's ongoing air raids that began last Friday.
While sailors are calling for ships to detour around the strait, the government is closely monitoring the safety of Korean vessels and the economic impact of the Middle East conflict.
The Federation of Korean Seafarers' Unions issued a statement Thursday urging all Korean ships to bypass the Strait of Hormuz or, at the very least, guarantee sailors the right to disembark from vessels that must pass through the dangerous area.
The federation also shared what it claimed were photos of missiles fired near a Korean ship traversing the strait, emphasising that risks are increasing due to Iranian jamming, which has disrupted vessels' global positioning systems.
"The anxiety of seafarers and their families is at its peak," a federation official said.
On the same day, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced that relevant ministries have begun holding daily meetings to monitor the safety of Korean ships in the Middle East, reports The Korea Times.
"The ministry will maintain close cooperation with relevant agencies to protect the safety of our vessels and seafarers, who play a crucial role in Korea's maritime supply chain," Oceans Minister Kang Do-hyung said.
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy is also on alert for possible disruptions to imports of oil and gas from the Middle East and exports of Korean products to the region.
"Large-scale projects in the region could be delayed or cancelled due to rising costs caused by attacks on Iran's energy facilities and increased defence spending in neighbouring countries such as the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia," the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency said in a report.
However, the agency noted that the likelihood of a full blockade of the Strait of Hormuz remains low, citing the presence of US Navy fleets stationed in Bahrain and Qatar.
https://www.shippingazette.com/news?news_id=9250600000740
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