The Philippines to Impound North Korean Vessel

The cargo vessel MV Jin Teng from North Korea, the first one to be inspected by the Philippines following the adoption of harsher sanctions against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), has been seized, Reuters reports.

The 1997-built cargo vessel, which was inspected in the Subic Bay last week, would now be impounded and not allowed to leave port, Reuters cited a foreign ministry spokesman, adding that the vessel’s 21 crew members will be deported.

On Friday, the Philippines coast guard conducted an inspection of the vessel and, although the personnel did not find any suspicious materials aboard,  MV Jin Teng was detained in Olongapo port due to safety issues.

The 6,830 dwt vessel, which arrived to the Philippines to unload a cargo of palm kernel expeller, was recently included on a list of 31 ships covered by severer sanctions against North Korea due to the country’s ongoing nuclear program and the latest missile launch.

The UN Security Council unanimously adopted the harsher sanctions against the country on March 2, stating that all cargo going to and from the DPRK by sea or air will be inspected and any vessel suspected of carrying forbidden items will be denied entry into port.

World Maritime News Staff