Fate of North Korean vessel held in Panama to be known soon

Panamanian officials said that 33 of the 35 North Korean seafarers could be released if prosecutors accept that the crew did not know about the hidden military cargo on the vessel.

The North Korea-flagged Chong Chon Gang was boarded on 10 July by Panamanian authorities who did not the vessel to undertake a southbound transit of the Panama Canal because the vessel was suspected to be carrying drugs.

Meanwhile, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) announced in late September that on 30 August it had formally initiated an administrative proceeding against the master of Chong Chon Gang, Yong Il Ri, the legal representative of Chong Chon Gang Shipping the shipowners, and Ocean Maritime Management, as alleged responsible parties operators of the vessel.

These proceedings were opened through Resolution No. 90 of

The resolution ordered the alleged offenders sign a guarantee to the satisfaction of the ACP in the amount of $670,000, otherwise the vessel would not to be permitted to depart Canal waters pursuant to Article 4-A of the Regulation on Navigation in Panama Canal Waters.

As today this guarantee has not been signed, Canal officials told Seatrade Global.

In the process that follows they have the right to appear at the proceedings and to make their allegations in writing, as well as file documents and information deemed appropriate for their defense within the following 10 working days of the notification of this resolution.

The ship´s agent forwarded to ACP an electronic message from a representative of Chong Chon Gang Shipping, stating that the master of Chong Chon Gang did not know about the loading of unlawful cargo, and only became aware of it when the vessel was searched by Panamanian authorities, therefore the Master could not have declared the unlawful cargo on board.

Canal officials have declared that they intend to levy a $1m fine for violation of Panama Canal navigation regulations shortly.

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