AsiaOperations

Senat Shipping failed to respond to UN inquiries leading to its blacklisting

Singapore: Singapore’s Senat Shipping and Trading, the US Treasury blacklisted line, failed to answer requests for information for 10 months, according to Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The company was hit for its alleged links with North Korea on Thursday, something it has since disputed.

Senat Shipping and Trading had been accused of ties with North Korean firm Ocean Maritime Management Company (OMMC), which in 2013 had a ship seized by Panamanian authorities for carrying undeclared military equipment from Cuba.

“Singapore takes a serious view of our obligations to prevent the illicit trafficking of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), their means of delivery and related materials,” said a spokesman for the ministry on Saturday.

“While we do not implement unilateral sanctions imposed by other countries, we are bound by United Nations Security Council resolutions, including those on the DPRK.”

Senat Shipping has denied any wrongdoing saying: “Neither the company, nor its directors and shareholders have ever attempted to conceal their long standing business links with North Korea in relation to the chartering of vessels to operator on the international spot market.

“There is no suggestion this legitimate business activity contravenes any of the UN sanctions against North Korea.”

 

Sam Chambers

Starting out with the Informa Group in 2000 in Hong Kong, Sam Chambers became editor of Maritime Asia magazine as well as East Asia Editor for the world’s oldest newspaper, Lloyd’s List. In 2005 he pursued a freelance career and wrote for a variety of titles including taking on the role of Asia Editor at Seatrade magazine and China correspondent for Supply Chain Asia. His work has also appeared in The Economist, The New York Times, The Sunday Times and The International Herald Tribune.
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