A Palau-flagged ship that set sail from southeast China earlier this year vanished from radio tracking systems, only to reappear five months later sailing between the North Korean cities of Nampho and Haeju.

Now, a joint investigation by NK Pro and the Washington-based Center for Advanced Defense Studies (C4ADS) has found that the ship — the Tomi Haru (IMO 9054779) — flies North Korean colors, indicating a transfer to the DPRK that experts say demonstrates the continued strength of Pyongyang’s overseas corporate networks to evade sanctions that prohibit it from purchasing vessels.

TRUE COLORS