Voice of America (VOA) reported that at least 70 vessels have been observed operating in major coal ports along the Taedong River in North Korea this year.
The American satellite company Planet Labs captured an image of Songnim Port along the Taedong River near Nampo on the 11th of last month. The picture shows a photo vessel measuring 155 meters (509 feet) in length.
The satellite image reveals that the vessel’s open cargo hold is filled with black objects and similar objects are placed on the dock directly in front of the ship. This suggests that the area is used for coal handling.
According to VOA’s analysis of satellite images, 22 vessels have been documented passing through Songrim Port from January to recent months. However, the number of vessels could be higher due to possible cloud cover or days without satellite imaging.
In addition to the vessels at Songrim Port, large cargo ships have also been noted at North Korea’s major coal handling ports, including Nampo Port (28 vessels) and Daepung Port (22 vessels). This brings the total to at least 72 vessels identified this year alone.
There is speculation that North Korea may have transported this coal to a third country. The UN Security Council’s Panel of Experts on North Korea sanctions previously reported that coal loaded at these ports was illegally transshipped in waters near Ningbo-Zhoushan, China.
Under Resolution 2371, adopted in 2017, the UN Security Council has prohibited all mineral exports from North Korea, including coal.
VOA also reported that the Chinese-flagged cargo ship Qing An 9048 sent a signal around 3 p.m. yesterday from waters north of Seokdo in the West Sea of North Korea. The vessel tracking site MarineTraffic has detected the ship as remaining in the area.
This is the third time in the past three weeks that a Chinese vessel has been spotted in North Korean waters.
North Korea had previously imposed strict controls on the entry of foreign-flagged vessels, citing COVID-19 prevention measures. It now appears that these restrictions may have been lifted, or North Korea may have acquired this Chinese vessel as a second-hand ship.
North Korea’s purchase of Chinese vessels could violate UN Security Council resolutions. Resolution 2321, adopted in 2016, prohibits North Korea from acquiring ships from third countries.