How a North Korean ship changed hands multiple times in just over a decade



Analysis How a North Korean ship changed hands multiple times in just over a decade Experts say the Mu Pho’s swapping of names, flags suggests sanctions evasion Min Chao Choy \| Won-Gi Jung June 9, 2021 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON NK Pro \| Ships at the North Korean city of Nampho in 2018 North Korean ships are now well-known for hiding their activities behind false companies to navigate around international sanctions. Even when “owned” by non-North Koreans, these ships can remain under state control for decades. An illuminating case in point is the Mu Pho (IMO: 8651178), a 5,300-deadweight-ton cargo ship built in 2009. NK Pro analysis shows that, for over a decade, the ship changed hands between Chinese-linked shell companies and swapped names and flags. Only now is it once again sailing openly under the flag and ownership of the DPRK. Neil Watts, a former member of the United Read More © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. LATEST ANALYSIS 01What to make of Kim Jong Un’s plenum call for ‘most hardline’ posture toward US 02North Korea building new warship likely to be country’s largest, photos show 03Suspected North Korean drone base and factory face construction slowdown 04Lessons from chaos: What Kim Jong Un sees in an era of global turmoil 05In 2024, Kim Jong Un swaggered on the global stage like never before 06Military dominates Kim Jong Un’s attention in his busiest year in nearly decade 07How Trump’s return could transform North Korea’s quiet ties with Thailand 08How Assad’s downfall could expose secrets of North Korea-Syria military ties

Analysis

How a North Korean ship changed hands multiple times in just over a decade

Experts say the Mu Pho’s swapping of names, flags suggests sanctions evasion

Min Chao Choy | Won-Gi Jung June 9, 2021

How a North Korean ship changed hands multiple times in just over a decade

NK Pro | Ships at the North Korean city of Nampho in 2018

North Korean ships are now well-known for hiding their activities behind false companies to navigate around international sanctions. Even when “owned” by non-North Koreans, these ships can remain under state control for decades.

An illuminating case in point is the Mu Pho (IMO: 8651178), a 5,300-deadweight-ton cargo ship built in 2009. NK Pro analysis shows that, for over a decade, the ship changed hands between Chinese-linked shell companies and swapped names and flags. Only now is it once again sailing openly under the flag and ownership of the DPRK.

Neil Watts, a former member of the United

01What to make of Kim Jong Un’s plenum call for ‘most hardline’ posture toward US
02North Korea building new warship likely to be country’s largest, photos show
03Suspected North Korean drone base and factory face construction slowdown
04Lessons from chaos: What Kim Jong Un sees in an era of global turmoil
05In 2024, Kim Jong Un swaggered on the global stage like never before
06Military dominates Kim Jong Un’s attention in his busiest year in nearly decade
07How Trump’s return could transform North Korea’s quiet ties with Thailand
08How Assad’s downfall could expose secrets of North Korea-Syria military ties

How a North Korean ship changed hands multiple times in just over a decade

LATEST ANALYSIS

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Min Chao Choy

Won-Gi Jung