LADY R

General information

Course/Position

Latest news

Lady R in weapons trade again

The 'Lady R' has rejoined an alleged weapons shipping operation with North Korea after a three-month hiatus, replacing another that recently traveled to a Chinese port for possible maintenance work. But soon after it carried containers from North Korea’s Rason Port to Russia’s Vostochny Port in early February, the entire maritime operation appeared to go on hold, as Russian ships linked to the trade stopped appearing at either port in available satellite imagery. It was unclear if this is due to production problems at DPRK weapons factories or another issue. Other signs point to a resumption in the future, however, highlighting the need to continue monitoring the vessels. The two countries started the operation in August 2ß23, initially between Rason and a Russian military port at Dunay, and the four identified Russian cargo ships have made at least 32 trips to North Korea since then. The 'Lady R' returned to Rason on Feb. 4 for the first time since late October. It was moored at a government-owned port in central Vladivostok over the winter before visiting Vostochny Port on Jan 30 and again on Feb 8. after picking up containers at Rason. The U.S.-sanctioned vessel was previously involved in a controversial shipment of Russian military equipment and possibly weapons to South Africa. Report with photos: https://www.nknews.org/pro/russian-ship-rejoins-north-korea-weapons-trade-only-for-operation-to-go-on-hold/

Lady R docked at Rason, after alleged port facilitated arms deal between DPRK and Russia

The sanctioned 'Lady R' appeared to visit a North Korean port at the center of alleged arms trade between Russia and the DPRK twice this month, including Oct 19, 2023, being one of at least three large cargo ships that appeaedr to have participated in the alleged arms deal between Russia and the DPRK, and its identification suggested that Russia has been leaning on its own vessels and common sanctions evasion tactics to facilitate the operation besides the 'Angara', which allegedly carried containers full of North Korean military equipment and munitions to the Russian Far East and then by train to the frontlines of the country’s war on Ukraine, and the 'Maria', which also made multiple trips ferrying containers between the northeastern North Korean port of Rason (Rajin) and the secluded Russian military port of Dunay (Dunai) since August. The 'Lady R' stopped broadcasting its AIS on Oct 2 after visiting Vostochny Port in Nakhodka. Report with photos: https://www.nknews.org/pro/russian-ship-in-south-africa-arms-row-appears-to-aid-north-korea-weapons-trade/

Circumstances of docking in Cape Town to be enquired

The SA Cabinet has welcomed the appointment by President Cyril Ramaphosa of a three-member independent panel to enquire into the circumstances of the docking of the'Lady R'. The panel chaired by former Deputy Judge President of the South Gauteng High Court Justice Phineas Mojapelo has been given six weeks to evaluate whether constitutional, legal or other obligations were fulfilled or violated when the vessel docked in Simon’s Town, Cape Town, and will report their findings to the President, the Minister in The Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said on June 8. Through this inquiry, Government seeks to establish the circumstances that led to the docking of the ship and the alleged loading of cargo, and the departure of the Lady R cargo ship from Simonstown, during the period from Dec 6 to 9, 2022. The President decided to establish the enquiry because of the seriousness of the allegations, the extent of public interest and the impact of this matter on South Africa’s international relations.