South Korea's industry ministry on Thursday asked shipping firms to consider delivering freights through alternative routes amid lingering tensions in the Red Sea.

The remark came after Iran-backed Houthi militants in Yemen have been attacking commercial vessels in one of the world's most important waterways.

"Amid the continued geopolitical risks in the Red Sea, we have requested shippers to proactively consider detouring, as the safety of our vessels and export products come as a priority," said Jo Eek-no, director-general for international trade policy at the ministry.

The ministry, meanwhile, said there have been no major disruptions in the supply of crude and liquefied natural gas from the region so far as vessels are currently detouring around Africa.

While the recent drought at the Panama Canal has also led to increased costs and longer durations for shipping firms, its impact on South Korea's trade in goods has been limited so far, it added. (Yonhap)