Global Economic Times

HMM Tanker Begins Safe Passage Through Strait of Hormuz; Foreign Minister Cho Says Negotiations Underway for Remaining 25 Vessels: Hwang Sujin Reporter / Updated : 2026-05-21 11:42:20

The Universal Winner carries 2 million barrels of crude oil after months-long geopolitical deadlock; expected to arrive in Ulsan by early June

SEOUL — A South Korean ultra-large crude carrier trapped in the Strait of Hormuz has successfully initiated its passage through the volatile waterway following rigorous diplomatic consultations between the South Korean government and Iranian authorities, officials confirmed on Wednesday. The breakthrough marks a critical turning point in alleviating the maritime logjam, with negotiations actively continuing to secure the safe release of 25 other South Korean vessels still stranded in the region.

Foreign Minister Cho Hyun formally announced the development during his appearance before the National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee on May 20. "At this very moment, our oil tanker is exiting the Strait of Hormuz as a result of bilateral negotiations with the Iranian side," Minister Cho stated during the legislative session. He further elaborated that official consultations with Tehran had concluded successfully, permitting the vessel to resume its voyage under heightened precautions. "The ship began sailing yesterday and is proceeding through the strait with utmost care," Cho added, emphasizing that the vessel is currently transporting a substantial cargo of two million barrels of crude oil.

The Universal Winner's Geopolitical Ordeal

The vessel navigating the strategically sensitive channel is identified as the Universal Winner, a Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) operated by HMM, South Korea’s leading national container and maritime shipping line. Once the Universal Winner completely clears the strait and enters the open waters of the Gulf of Oman, it will officially become the first South Korean merchant vessel to successfully exit the Strait of Hormuz since the outbreak of armed conflict involving the United States and Israel against Iran earlier this year.

The operational timeline of the tanker underscores the severe impact of recent Middle Eastern hostilities on global shipping chains. Built by Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (now Hanwha Ocean) and delivered to HMM in 2019, the Universal Winner is a maritime behemoth measuring 336 meters in length and 60 meters in width, boasting a deadweight tonnage (DWT) of 300,000 tons.

The vessel initially entered the Strait of Hormuz on February 28, 2026, precisely as military operations commenced between U.S.-led forces and Iran. Days later, on March 4, the tanker successfully loaded two million barrels of crude oil from the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC). However, as regional hostilities escalated exponentially, the vessel found itself effectively trapped, unable to navigate past the heavily fortified choke point safely.

Delayed Return and Diplomatic Terms

According to industry sources from HMM and SK, the Universal Winner is projected to transit through the Gulf of Oman and cross the Indian Ocean to arrive at the port of Ulsan between June 8 and June 10. Under normal operational circumstances, the tanker was originally scheduled to dock in South Korea by late March or early April. Due to the military blockade and subsequent diplomatic impasse, its return has been delayed by more than two months.

Addressing potential speculation regarding the terms of the vessel's release, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs explicitly stated that no financial concessions were made. High-level ministry officials verified that neither the South Korean government nor the commercial shipping line paid any transit fees, fines, or alternative forms of material compensation to the Iranian government to secure the passage.

Instead, diplomatic efforts focused heavily on humanitarian and crew safety considerations. Officials revealed that the Universal Winner was prioritized for initial release during the bilateral talks because it carries a significantly high proportion of South Korean nationals. The vessel operates with a total crew complement of over 20 personnel, with fewer than 10 identified as South Korean citizens, including senior officers.

Focus Shifts to Remaining Fleet

With the successful extraction of the Universal Winner, intense scrutiny has shifted to the fate of the remaining 25 South Korean commercial vessels currently anchored or restricted within the Persian Gulf zone. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs re-emphasized South Korea's firm adherence to international maritime law, maintaining that the freedom of navigation for all peaceful merchant vessels, including South Korean ships, remains an unalterable principle.

Government officials have pledged to utilize the momentum generated by the Universal Winner’s release to accelerate ongoing diplomatic channels with Tehran. "Our primary objective is to guarantee the unconditional freedom of passage for our entire commercial fleet," a senior ministry official stated on the condition of anonymity. "We are systematically addressing each remaining vessel based on crew urgency and operational safety, and we will continue to engage constructively with Iranian authorities until every South Korean ship and mariner has safely cleared the conflict theater."