ANGARA

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Latest news

Russian ships allegedly involved in arms transfer to Russio in violation of UN resolutions

North Korea recently sent over 1,000 containers of military equipment to Russia to aid Moscow’s war efforts in Ukraine, the U.S. said on Oct 13, 2023. The U.S. mission published imagery apparently showing the process of container shipping from the North Korean port of Rajin to Dunay, a seaport near Vladivostok, by the 'Angara' between Sep 7 and Oct 1. The images did not show the contents of the containers, but suggest they were moved by rail to an ammunition depot in southwestern Russia near Tikhoretsk, 290 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. The White House announcement followed a report by Washington think tank CSIS that suggested stacks of covered goods piling up at a rail station at the Russia-DPRK border were “probable” weapons shipments from North Korea to Russia. NK Pro analysis of on-the-ground photos from the border indicated the tarp-covered goods are for “disinfection,” meaning it is more likely that the goods are imports from Russia. The 'Angara' has not transmitted its AIS position since early August, a possible indication the vessel is engaged in illicit activities. Satellite imagery found that a vessel closely matching the type and dimensions of the 'Angara' berthed at Rason (Rajin) port next to a pier filled with containers on Oct 2 amid signs that the North Korean port has restarted container trade for the first time in five years. Also the m/v 'Maria' (IMO: 8031445) was spotted in the satellite imagery. Shortly before the operation began, the two vessels turned off their AIS in order to hide their movements. Seoul and Washington have said that any arms transfers between the North and Russia would be in violation of multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions and a challenge to global peace. Report with photo: https://www.nknews.org/2023/10/north-korea-sent-mass-shipment-of-weapons-ammo-to-russia-us/

BBC launches new heavy-lift cargo service between Europe and Asia

On 26 March 2012, the BBC KARAN was the first vessel in the new Europe-Asia service of the multi-purpose and heavy-lift cargo shipping company BBC Chartering to berth at C. Steinweg (Süd West Terminal) in the Port of Hamburg. In Hamburg, the new “BBC Euro-Asia Express Line” service will be offering bi-weekly eastward sailings to Asia. Alongside Hamburg, export cargo for Asia will be loaded at the following European ports: Rauma, Kristiansand, Antwerp, Bilbao and Porto Maghera. The following ports of discharge are on the schedule in Asia: Port Kelang, Singapore, Batam, Ho Chi Minh City, Haiphong and Hong Kong in South East Asia as well as Shanghai, Masan, Busan, Kobe and Yokohama in the Far East. The freight vessels deployed will be shipping cargo westward every three weeks from Asia to Europe. On this transport route, cargo will be loaded in Masan, Yokohama, Shanghai and Singapore and discharged in Mariupol, Genoa, Bilbao, Antwerp and Hamburg. The first vessel of the “BBC Euro-Asia Express Line” from Asia – the BBC BALTIC – is expected to arrive in Hamburg on 20 May. Within the “BBC Euro-Asia Express Line”, mainly multi-purpose ships are deployed with dead weight tonnate of 7,200 each. Moreover, the units deployed also have ice class ratings, enabling them to sail all year. The BBC KARAN is 127 metres long, 20 metres wide and equipped with two on-board cranes that can lift 150 tons each or 300 tons in combination. Where necessary, BBC deploys heavy-lift tonnage with a combined lifting capacity of 800 tons. The new heavy-lift cargo service underscores Hamburg's significance as a universal port. A total of approx. 1.4 million tons of conventional general cargo were exported via Hamburg in 2011. The lion’s share is accounted for by exports of heavy and pro-ject cargo with roughly 684,000 tons.

BBC Chartering starts Euro-Asia service

Marketed as the BBC Euro-Asia Express Line, the new service offers fortnightly sailings to Asia and sails every three weeks to Europe, says BBC Chartering, loading in the ports of Rauma, Finland; Kristiansand, Norway; Hamburg, Germany; Antwerp, Belgium; Bilbao, Spain; and Porto Maghera, Italy; then discharging in Port Kelang, Malaysia; Singapore; Batam, Indonesia; Ho Chi Minh and Haiphong, Vietnam; Hong Kong; Shanghai, China; Masan / Busan, South Korea; Kobe / Yokohama, Japan. BBC says that it will mainly deploy its 7,200 dwt multipurpose ro-ro / heavy lift ships on the service. These vessels, also referred to as ‘K-types’, offer lifting capabilities up to 300 tonnes (two x 150 tonnes) and possess the highest ice class enabling to sail all year round on the designated route. The first sailing eastbound will be undertaken by BBC Karan, out of Rauma; with BBC Bangkok undertaking the maiden voyage westbound out of Masan. Pictured is another of the K-type ships, BBC Konan.