A Hong Kong tanker has been released in South Korea after authorities found there was no deliberate intention to breach sanctions against North Korea.
The 16,500-dwt Lighthouse Winmore (built 2014) has been held at the South Korean port of Yeosu since December 2017.
It was one of four vessels seized to check whether they violated UN sanctions by making illegal ship-to-ship transfers of oil or coal products to North Korean ships.
Seoul’s foreign ministry said the United Nations Sanctions Committee (UNSC) approved the release based on South Korean probe results that they had not intended to breach sanctions, Seoul officials said.
South Korea's 7,800-dwt tanker P Pioneer (built 2000) was also released from detention.
“There was evidence of ship-to-ship transfers but we concluded that it was not deliberate,” a senior official at South Korea’s foreign ministry told Reuters.
The shipping companies had promised to keep tracking devices on ships at all times and provide records as necessary, the official said.
Two other vessels remain under detention.
In May, Win More failed in a court bid to enlist help to free its tanker.
Hong Kong's high court said the detention of the vessel involved foreign affairs and was therefore the central government’s responsibility.
The Hong Kong administration cancelled the ship’s DOC on 21 December.
