Russian oil product exports to North Korea jumped to yearly highs at the end of 2018, doubling shipments from the previous month and outpacing any reported Chinese export over the 12-month period.

The shipments nearly hit 7000 tonnes in December, a major increase compared to November’s 3777-tonne exports and more than quadruple imports from neighboring China during the same month.

Between them, North Korea’s long-term energy patrons sent the DPRK 8493.8 tonnes of oil products in December, the largest reported monthly shipment since the UN placed a cap on the trade in December 2017.

UN