Voice of America (VOA) reported that a new oil storage tank had been installed in the densely packed oil facility area of Nampo Port in North Korea.
VOA analyzed recent satellite images taken by the private satellite service Planet Labs and reported the detection of a new oil tank at Nampo Port, measuring approximately 25 meters (82 feet) in diameter. Although the exact height of the tank is unclear from the images, based on its similarity to other surrounding tanks, it is estimated to be between 10 and 20 meters (33 and 63 feet).
Previously, in 2020, North Korea established two circular sites, each with an 18-meter oil tank, to the south and north of Nampo Port. These sites remained unused for over three years until the recent installation of the new oil tank was confirmed. The newly detected oil tank is located at one of the two northern sites.
VOA also noted that construction traces have been found at the remaining northern and southern sites, suggesting that two additional tanks may be built soon.
North Korea has consistently expanded its oil storage facilities around Nampo Port. According to VOA, the number of oil tanks has increased from about 20 in 2018 to 36, including the newly discovered tank.
Experts believe North Korea is trying to increase its oil storage capacity with illegally transferred oil due to the difficulty in average oil imports under UN sanctions.
During a briefing in May, the White House national security spokesperson, John Kirby, revealed that Russia has already exceeded the limit set by the UN Security Council in the amount of refined oil it has provided to North Korea this year. He specified that, in March alone, Russia sent over 165,000 barrels of refined oil to North Korea.
The UN Security Council, through Resolution 2397 adopted in 2017, limited North Korea’s import of refined oil, including gasoline, to 500,000 barrels annually.