Maldives Transport Authority has denied claims of Maldives carrying out illegal activities jointly with an oil tanker of North Korea.
The vessel claimed to be "Xin Yuan 18" is not a vessel registered in the Maldives, the Transport Authority said in a statement. With deep concern, the Authority stated there is no reason for the vessel to use the Maldivian flag. Noting that Maldives does not register foreign vessels, the Authority urged to refrain from spreading false news.
Adding that it is investigating the issue as a serious crime, the Ministry of Defence and National Security revealed that authorities of Maldives do not allow flags of convenience to foreign owned vessels to operate outside Maldivian waters. The statement issued by Defence Ministry also noted that Xin Yuan 18 is not a vessel registered in Maldives and added that Maldives will not allow such actions to undermine the security of the country.
Furthermore, the Government is currently investigating the matter and noted concerns related to suspected illegal ship-to-ship transfer of goods by North Korean-flagged tanker Chon Ma San and an alleged Maldivian-flagged tanker by the name of Xin Yuan 18, Ministry of Foreign Affairs revealed in a statement.
The Government of Maldives said it gives high priority to the implementation of all resolutions of the United Nations Security Council, including the Resolutions North Korea.