Oil tanker linked to Sinokor attacked in Strait of Hormuz; ministry says no Korean crew aboard

Foreign media reported that an oil tanker linked to South Korean shipping company Sinokor Merchant Marine was attacked while transiting the Strait of Hormuz. However, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said the vessel is registered in Liberia — not South Korea — and that no Korean crew members were on board.

According to the Financial Times and other foreign media, two oil tankers came under attack in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday (local time). The Financial Times, citing maritime security analysts, reported that the vessels struck were the Senegal Prosperity — believed to be owned by Sinokor — and the Sidr, a Saudi Arabian-owned tanker.

However, the Financial Times noted that poor communications in the Strait of Hormuz meant vessel names and other details had not been officially confirmed.

Earlier, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations announced that one vessel was struck by three unidentified projectiles but did not disclose the ship's name.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries' account differs in some respects from the Financial Times report. The ministry said the attacked vessel is not a South Korean ship. It is registered in Liberia, has no history of registration in South Korea's shipping industry, and no Korean crew members were on board. The ministry said Sinokor had sub-chartered the vessel.

"It is not our vessel — it is a Liberian-flagged ship with no record of registration in the domestic shipping industry," a ministry official said. "Sinokor explained that it had sub-chartered the vessel, and there are no Korean crew members on board."