South Korea considers sending ships, envoys to Saudi Arabia

South Korea plans to dispatch at least five ships to the Saudi port of Yanbu in the coming weeks to establish new oil transport routes in the Red Sea.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy announced on April 6 that the ships will depart in stages starting mid-April, with numbers potentially increasing depending on contracts with Saudi partners, Caliber.Az reports via The Associated Press (AP).

Officials did not disclose which companies would be involved, but noted that some Korean refiners may use shipping firms based outside South Korea.

South Korea also intends to send special envoys to Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Algeria to intensify diplomatic efforts aimed at securing alternative fuel supplies, ruling party lawmaker Ahn Do-geol said. 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not yet specified when the envoys will be deployed.

By Jeyhun Aghazada