The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries has confirmed that 26 Korean vessels stranded in the Persian Gulf due to the military conflict in the region have secured essential supplies for over a month, ensuring their crew's safety and operational capability.
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries in South Korea has announced that 26 of its vessels, currently isolated in the Persian Gulf due to the geopolitical crisis involving Israel and Iran, have successfully obtained essential goods for more than a month. As of September 8th, one of these vessels received supplies from a local vendor, allowing the others to ensure their readiness despite the ongoing tensions in the region. The operational status of the vessels is closely monitored, with normal supply chains reported for most vessels apart from a few ports.
As part of its response plan, the Ministry has verified the crew status, confirming that 183 Korean sailors are present across these vessels, with no requests to disembark reported. The crew consist of 146 on South Korean flagged vessels and 37 on foreign flagged ones. The Ministry is in active discussion with relevant governmental bodies, including the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and foreign affairs, to ensure the safe disembarkation of crew members if needed, particularly regarding airport operations and flight schedules in the region.
In anticipation of a prolonged crisis, the Ministry is collaborating with shipping companies to establish plans for food supply and crew disembarkation. Acting Minister Kim Seong-bum emphasized the commitment to ensuring crew safety amid the changing circumstances, highlighting the importance of reinforcing supply networks and timely communication with shipping lines to navigate this complex situation effectively.
