Seoul: Four more South Korean-operated vessels have exited the Strait of Hormuz following last week's ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran, bringing the total number of vessels that have left the region to six, the maritime ministry said Wednesday. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries confirmed the ships safely passed through the strategic waterway and are sailing normally.
According to Yonhap News Agency, a total of 26 South Korean sailors were aboard the vessels, with one vessel bound for South Korea. The latest departure has reduced the number of South Korean-linked ships remaining inside the strait to 18. Earlier this week, HMM's 16,000-TEU container ship Daon and the very large crude carrier (VLCC) Universal Glory also exited the area.
The ministry reported that 108 South Korean sailors remain in the Persian Gulf, including 75 aboard South Korean-operated vessels and 33 serving on foreign-flagged ships. Under the ceasefire agreement reached with Washington, Tehran has agreed to allow vessels to transit the Strait of Hormuz without any fees for 60 days following the signing of the interim pact.