Suspicion of illegal ship-to-ship transfers of goods by Chon Ma San, North Korean-flagged tanker, and Xin Yuan 18, Maldivian-flagged tanker (February 24, 2018)

1. Overview
In the daytime on May 24, 2018, a JS 'UMIGIRI' (Escort Division12: Kure) of Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force found that SAM JONG 2（IMO number︓7408873）, North Korean-flagged tanker, was lying alongside a tanker of unknown nationality on which “MYONG RYU 1” was indicated, on the high sea (around 250km eastern offshore of Shanghai ) in the East China Sea.
Judging from the fact that the two vessels lay alongside each other and connected hoses, both vessels could have been engaged in some type of activity. Following a comprehensive assessment, the Government of Japan strongly suspects that they conducted ship-to-ship transfers banned by UNSCR.
In March, 2018, the Security Council Committee established pursuant to Resolution 1718 designated SAM JONG 2 as a vessel subject to assets freeze and prohibited from port entry.

2. Japan’s Response
Japan notified the Security Council Committee of this incident and shared information with related countries.