21/12/17 – This story has been updated to include additional information about Dalian Tiger

Several UK-registered companies are being used to control vessels which have recently visited North Korean and Chinese coal and iron ports, the first of a two-part investigation by NK Pro can reveal.

In what could represent new sanctions-evading countermeasures, the UK registered companies – which form part of a complex international network – were incorporated last year shortly after two rounds of additional UN restrictions on imports of North Korean resources.

With connections to London, Hong Kong, Dalian, Dandong, Seychelles, and North Korea