Dhaka: Upon advice from the UNSCR panel of experts, the government has denied permission to a North Korean vessel, carrying Panama flag in guise, MV Zhong DE1 to enter Chittagong port.

“In conformity with the provisions of the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1718 (2006) and as per the advice of the panel of experts established pursuant to UNSCR 1718 (2006) and 1874 (2009), the government has decided to deny entry permission to Chittagong port to the cargo vessel MV Zhong DE 1, IMO No 8715493,” said a foreign ministry media note on Friday.

However, an official preferring anonymity told the agency that it was carrying Panama flag though originally the Ocean Maritime Management Company, Limited (OMM) of North Korea owns the ship.

The UN Security Council imposed restriction on the OMM and was listed on July 28, 2014 as its ship carried prohibited arms and related materials in concealed cargo from Cuba to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).

“The capacity of the ship was 37,000 tonnes but it was carrying 43,000 tonnes cement clinker,” he said.

The official also said the vessel was halted outside Bangladesh’s sea territory.

Contacted, Secretary of the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) Omar Faruq said the vessel was carrying over 43000 metric tonnes of cement clinker to Chittagong from Vietnam.

“Most of the crew in the vessel are from North Korea,” he said adding there is an embargo from the UNSCR but did not elaborate.