The current situation in NE Asia prompted me to look up one of the few ships under North Korean state ownership that I was able to photograph.

Seen here arriving at Kiel following an eastbound transit of the Kiel Canal.

Different sources suggest different spellings of her name: Chip Sam (on her bow and Lloyd's Register) vs. Chip-Sam vs. Jip Sam - probably a transcription issue.

Owner: Taedonggang Sonbak Co. Ltd.
Home port: Chongjin
Builders: Chongjin Shipyard, 1981
6,553gt
Loa: 130.95m
Br md: 18.40m
Dght: 8.3m