Ocean Maritime Management (OMM), a shipping company belonging to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK aka North Korea), continues to avoid UN sanctions by registering its ships with flags of convenience and changing names of vessels and shell companies, a new report from the UN states.
“Given the stated intentions of (North Korea), it continued efforts to enhance the scope of its nuclear and missile programs … there are serious questions about the efficacy of the current United Nations sanctions regime,” the report, seen by Reuters, stated.
The country has had sanctions in place for the last 10 years, something that is being reviewed in the wake of recent reported nuclear tests.
“Despite its designation in July 2014, Ocean Maritime Management Company Limited (OMM) continues to operate through foreign-flagged vessels, name and company re-registrations and the rental of crews to foreign ships,” the panel said.
The report maintains OMM is controlled by North Korea’s Ministry of Land and Marine Transport.
In addition to the 14 vessels OMM had in operation last year, it has an additional vessel – the Hoe Ryong – in operation, the report claimed.
Commenting on the news, Leo Byrne, who tracks DPRK ships for website NKNews.org, told Splash: “As far as I can see, OMM no longer owns or manages any vessels in North Korea’s fleet, with those duties now passed to newly created companies in the next step of the game of whack-a-mole that is DPRK sanctions enforcement.”
