South Korea Locks In 273 Million Barrels of Crude That Won't Touch Hormuz
South Korea has secured 273 million barrels of crude oil and 2.1 million tons of naphtha through alternative routes that bypass the blocked Strait of Hormuz.
oilprice.comHere are the latest developments on South Korea securing crude oil.
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South Korea has been actively diversifying sources and routes to bypass the Strait of Hormuz as tensions in the Middle East threaten supply reliability. Reports indicate the government and state-linked entities are arranging alternative supply arrangements with Middle Eastern producers and non-Hormuz routes. This includes emergency purchases and longer-term deals to stockpile crude oil and related feedstocks. [source coverage from multiple outlets in early-to-mid April 2026]
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In recent weeks, Seoul has secured sizable volumes for near-term delivery via alternative routes and ports, including arrangements with the UAE and other Gulf producers, as part of a broader energy security push. The government has emphasized that these measures aim to ensure domestic fuel production and to support refiners amid potential disruption. [multiple outlets, mid-April 2026]
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By mid-April 2026, government officials publicly highlighted that hundreds of millions of barrels of crude and tens of millions of tons of naphtha had been secured for delivery over the coming months, sourced through bypass routes designed to avoid Hormuz. These maneuvers are described as emergency–level energy security measures to stabilize supply. [press briefings and industry reports, April 14–15, 2026]
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There are varying figures across outlets, but a common theme is a substantial stockpile built up for several months of demand, with a focus on maintaining uninterrupted refinery runs and export capabilities despite potential chokepoints in sea lanes. [industry coverage, April 2026]
Would you like a concise timeline of the key announcements and the specific volumes reported by each source, plus a quick map of the alternative routes being discussed? I can also pull exact quotes and provide citations.