Korean Tanker Attacked in Strait of Hormuz?.. Government and Shipping Company Say, "Not Our Vessel"

[Financial News] Foreign media have reported that a tanker operated by a Korean shipping company was attacked while passing through the Strait of Hormuz in Iran. However, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF) and Janggeum Maritime, identified as the shipping company involved, both said the vessel was not Korean.
According to Financial News reporting on the 2nd, the tanker in question had been chartered by Janggeum Maritime and then subchartered. It was not carrying any Korean crew members.
Janggeum Maritime told this newspaper, "We operate container ships, but we do not directly operate tankers."
The MOF also said the subchartered vessel was not subject to its oversight because it had no Korean crew members. An MOF official said by phone, "The vessels managed by the government are Korean-flagged vessels and BBCHP vessels—bareboat charters with a hire-purchase arrangement under which they are intended to acquire Korean nationality. The tanker reportedly attacked does not fall into either category." The official added, "Janggeum Maritime chartered the vessel and then leased it to someone else. In the shipping market, this is common depending on the circumstances."
In other words, the vessel was neither Korean-flagged nor a BBCHP vessel intended to acquire Korean nationality, so it was effectively considered not to be a Korean vessel. As a result, the Korea Shipowners’ Association’s ship-accident reporting system did not apply either.
An association official said, "The association has a reporting system for accidents involving member companies’ vessels. The system is thorough, as failure to report can also result in legal penalties." The official continued, "A vessel is considered one of our vessels subject to reporting if it was purchased or its crew was hired by the company. A vessel that was chartered and then subchartered does not fall into that category."

[email protected] Kim Yoon-ho Reporter