Discover the Tong-San-2: Ratings & Maritime News

In a significant move against North Korea's violation of international sanctions, the United Nations has issued a ban on four ships from accessing ports worldwide. The vessels, identified as the 'Petrel 8', 'Hao Fan 6', 'Tong San 2', and 'Jie Shun', were found to be involved in the transport of prohibited goods. This decision was reached during a UN Security Council meeting held on October 9, 2017, following North Korea's sixth and most powerful nuclear test, which occurred just weeks prior. The global port ban came into effect in October, though it did not include asset freezes or travel restrictions for the vessels involved. In August, the UN already imposed a resolution prohibiting exports of coal, seafood, and iron ore from North Korea. Subsequent sanctions broadened in the past month to cover exports of textiles and the deployment of North Korean laborers abroad, alongside a limit on oil imports. These tightening restrictions are a direct response to North Korea's provocative missile tests over Japan and its ongoing nuclear aspirations. Notably, North Korea's primary economic ally, China, has endorsed these measures, as has Russia, marking a shift given their previous support against stricter sanctions.