The United States has once again made it clear that it is serious about stopping countries like North Korea from breaking international rules at sea. On Wednesday and Thursday, the US joined hands with the Maritime Organization of West and Central Africa and Cote d’Ivoire’s Ministry of Transport to co-host a major event in Abidjan, the capital of Cote d’Ivoire.
This event, known as the Global Maritime Security and Sanctions Enforcement Conference, brought together top experts and leaders in the shipping and trade industry. Delegates from 25 different countries attended. The goal was to discuss ways to stop illegal shipping activities that support dangerous programs in places like North Korea and Iran.
The conference focused on strengthening global cooperation and improving the way countries check and monitor cargo ships. These checks help prevent the secret movement of goods that can support the development of weapons, especially nuclear weapons and long-range missiles.
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How North Korea Uses Ships to Evade Sanctions
According to the US State Department, North Korea—officially called the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK)—is using the ocean in sneaky ways to make money for its weapons programs. It does this by exporting coal and iron ore, which are materials that are banned under international sanctions. These exports help fund the North’s weapons of mass destruction and missile development.
Even though the United Nations and the United States have placed strong sanctions on North Korea, the country has found ways around them. It often uses fake ship names, false documentation, and secret ship-to-ship transfers in the open ocean to hide its activities.
These kinds of tactics are dangerous not just for one country but for the whole world. They make it easier for North Korea to build weapons that could cause serious harm. That’s why the US wants the world to work together to stop them.
During the conference, the US stressed the need for global shipping companies to be extra careful and check more thoroughly who they are dealing with. Due diligence, as it’s called, is important to make sure no one unknowingly helps North Korea or any other sanctioned country.
Iran Also Under Watch for Illegal Maritime Activities
The US also raised concerns about Iran’s actions. According to officials, Iran is using commercial shipping routes to move items that are linked to its missile and nuclear-related programs. It is also secretly exporting oil to earn money that supports activities seen as harmful and destabilizing.
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By using the shipping industry to do this, Iran is also breaking US and international rules. Just like North Korea, Iran hides behind fake names and tricky practices to move goods under the radar.
The US said it remains fully committed to stopping these actions. It wants to keep the world’s oceans safe and free from illegal activities that support weapons programs. This includes sharing information, offering training, and helping countries build better systems to track and manage maritime trade.
The two-day conference in Abidjan was a big step in that direction. Countries shared their challenges and talked about what has worked for them in stopping similar problems. The event also allowed for discussion on how to tighten global rules and keep illegal goods off ships.
In the end, the message from the US was clear and strong: it will not allow North Korea, Iran, or any other country to use the sea to break sanctions and spread weapons. The US, along with its global partners, is stepping up efforts to make sure that all trade happening at sea is safe, legal, and secure.