"No Exit from Hormuz in Sight"...Anxiety Peaks for Korean Ships Stranded for Six Weeks

[Financial News] As the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz enters its second month, anxiety is peaking among roughly 170 Korean seafarers stranded in the area. The Korean government has almost no individual measures it can take to resume operations of the 26 stranded Korean-flagged vessels, leaving a frustrating stalemate in place.
On the 5th, the government said it is preparing countermeasures in case essential supplies for Korean seafarers on the 26 Korean ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz reach a critical level. With a few exceptions, most vessels have had enough food, drinking water, and fuel for about one to two months, so no immediate emergencies have occurred so far. However, as the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz moves into its second month, there are growing concerns that supplies will soon hit their limits.
An official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea stated, "For vessels that are short of certain essential supplies, we are making diplomatic efforts so they can dock at nearby ports and receive resupply."
The number of Korean seafarers was around 180 at the outset of the Strait of Hormuz blockade. Recently, however, a total of 10 crew members, including trainees from Korea Maritime & Ocean University (KMOU) and Mokpo National Maritime University, disembarked, bringing the remaining number down slightly to 170. About 130 of them are on 26 Korean-flagged vessels, while the rest remain on foreign-flagged ships. These seafarers are reported to be extremely anxious due to ongoing fears of drone attacks by the Islamic Republic of Iran for more than a month.
The government is contacting each vessel several times a day to monitor food stocks and the safety of the crew. It also plans to immediately assist any ship that runs low on supplies with entry into nearby ports and additional resupply.
Meanwhile, expectations for a resumption of sailings briefly rose after reports that a vessel operated by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines recently passed through the Strait of Hormuz.
However, this vessel was reportedly bound for the Republic of India, not Japan. The Republic of India is said to be receiving exceptional treatment based on its close ties with the Islamic Republic of Iran. Even while maintaining the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, Iran has been sending the message that "our Indian friends are safe" and has exceptionally allowed some India-flagged ships to pass. The Japanese government has drawn a clear line, saying it had no involvement in this voyage.
Separately, there have been attempts by some vessels to reroute via the coast of Oman, away from the Iranian-controlled section of the Strait of Hormuz. Earlier this month, two Oman-flagged oil tankers and one Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) carrier tried to enter the strait by sailing along the Omani coast to avoid the route designated by Iran. The Islamic Republic of Iran and Oman have recently been discussing navigation rules for the Strait of Hormuz.
As the largest customer for Oman, accounting for about 44.2% of its total LNG exports, Korea had hoped that a detour route along the Omani coast might be an option. However, the waters off Oman are relatively shallow and the routes are complex, making it difficult for very large crude carriers to operate there. Most of the stranded Korean vessels are such supertankers.

rainman@fnnews.com Kim Kyung-soo Reporter