Monitoring and surveillance activities by UK against illicit maritime activities including STS oil transfer

United Kingdom authorities were on the lookout for illegal bunkering or illegal ship-to-ship fuel transfer amongst other activities involving North-Korean flagged vessels from mid to late June, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan on Monday (24 June).

The ministry said the Royal Navy HMS SPEY conducted monitoring and surveillance activities against illicit maritime activities, including ship-to-ship transfers with North Korean-flagged vessels prohibited by the United Nations Security Council resolutions (UNSCRs), in waters surrounding Japan. 

It was the twelfth time for the UK Royal Navy vessel to engage in such activities to take place since 2018.

“Japan welcomes these activities from the viewpoint of ensuring effective implementation of the relevant UNSCRs in solidarity with the international community toward the realisation of North Korea’s dismantlement of all weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles of all ranges in a complete, verifiable, and irreversible manner,” the ministry said. 

As Japan has also been conducting information gathering activities for vessels suspected of violating the UNSCRs, the ministry added that Japan works closely with relevant countries and international organisations, including the United Kingdom.

Photo credit: UK Ministry of Defence
Published: 25 June, 2024