HMM Namu, the box ship reportedly damaged in a projectile attack in the Strait of Hormuz, is expected to be cleared to leave the waterway this month, after repairs.
South Korea’s vice-minister of oceans and fisheries, Nam Jae-heon, said yesterday: “There’re still two South Korean-owned ships that remain stranded in the strait, including HMM Namu, with 35 crewmen on board.”
Mr Nam added that following the US and Iran signing a memorandum of understanding on 17 June to end the armed conflict, 21 South Korean-owned ships have left the Persian Gulf, including two HMM vessels, HMM Daon, a containership, and oil tanker Universal Glory.
HMM has confirmed that it will bear the repair costs of the HMM Namu, and will make a claim from the vessel’s insurer, Steamship Mutual P&I Club.
The newly built 38,000 dwt HMM Namu was hit in its hull by two projectiles on 4 May while anchored in the Strait of Hormuz. The attack caused damage, none of the crew was injured. Debris from the incident was sent to South Korea for forensic analysis, which suggested the projectiles were the Iran-developed Noor-series anti-ship missiles.
South Korea summoned Iran’s ambassador to the country to share the results of the forensic test and to lodge a protest against the incident. However, the Iranian ambassador, Saeed Koozechi, denied Tehran had targeted the ship. South Korea has asserted that measures must be in place to prevent a repeat of such incidents.
President Lee Jae Myung said: “What is clear is that it was not done intentionally. Our goal is to ensure that South Korea’s sovereignty, the human rights of our citizens and minimum international norms are not violated or infringed.”
When asked whether South Korea would ask Iran or the US to pay for the repairs, Mr Nam said South Korea may consider a review later.
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