Seoul: A South Korean vessel has successfully transited the Red Sea and is currently en route home, marking the ninth crude oil shipment to use the route, the oceans ministry said Sunday.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced that the oil tanker loaded crude oil at Saudi Arabia's Yanbu Port and passed through the Red Sea. This move is part of South Korea's strategy to import oil through alternative routes due to the ongoing disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

This shipment marks the ninth such transit since April. The ministry highlighted that as the vessel passed through the Red Sea, they monitored the situation around the clock, providing safety information and maintaining communication channels between the government, the shipper, and the vessel.

The ministry also emphasized their commitment to continue efforts to maintain the stability of crude oil supplies to the country.