- Panama has directed all vessels under its registry to strictly adhere to UN Security Council sanctions on North Korea, with violations subject to investigations, sanctions, and potential global port bans.
- The directive prohibits trade, cargo handling, and ship-to-ship transfers involving North Korean vessels and emphasizes the need to avoid deceptive practices.
- Shipowners and crews are urged to undergo compliance training and implement rigorous due diligence to prevent even unintentional breaches of international sanctions.
The Panama Maritime Authority (PMA) has issued a firm directive to all stakeholders in its shipping registry, urging strict compliance with United Nations sanctions targeting North Korea. This includes a categorical prohibition on trade, cargo transfers—especially ship-to-ship (STS) operations—and any dealings with vessels flagged by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). The PMA warned that failure to comply could result in punitive measures such as sanctions, deregistration, or global port access bans, according to safety4sea.
UN Resolutions Outline Banned Activities
Under UN Security Council Resolutions 2371, 2375, and 2397, nearly all imports and exports to and from North Korea are banned. Panama-flagged ships are explicitly forbidden from transporting goods to or from the DPRK, as well as from conducting ship-to-ship transfers with North Korean vessels. The PMA stressed the importance of distributing these requirements to all responsible personnel, including masters, operators, charterers, and crew onboard.
Deceptive Tactics Used by North Korean Vessels
North Korean vessels have increasingly employed deceptive practices to evade detection. These tactics include repainting ship names, altering IMO numbers, and using fraudulent foreign flags. The PMA instructed all registry participants to verify final ownership, cargo usage, and the entities exercising operational control before engaging in any business. Rigorous due diligence is considered mandatory to prevent entanglement in sanctioned activities.
AIS and LRIT Disabling Triggers Investigation
Disabling a vessel’s AIS (Automatic Identification System) or LRIT (Long-Range Identification and Tracking) system is regarded as a red flag for illicit behavior. The PMA warned that any Panama-flagged vessel caught disabling or spoofing these systems will be subjected to investigation. Confirmed violations may result in deregistration or international sanctions.
Sanctions Possible Even for Unintentional Violations
Shipowners and operators were reminded that even unintentional involvement in activities supporting North Korea could result in enforcement actions. Deliberate breaches will lead to international sanctions and possible legal consequences under both national and global maritime regulations. All vessels must take precautionary measures to ensure zero interaction with North Korean entities.
Proactive Training and Risk Management Encouraged
To support compliance, the PMA recommended that shipping companies and vessel operators initiate internal training programs focused on sanctions enforcement. These programs should cover the identification of evasion techniques, regular updates to sanctioned vessel lists, and procedures for promptly reporting any suspicious behavior to authorities.
With Panama operating the world’s largest shipping registry, the authority’s guidance reinforces global maritime efforts to halt illicit DPRK-linked trade and ensure that all flagged vessels uphold international law.
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Source: safety4sea
