The Trump administration has issued a far-reaching sanctions package targeting North Korea’s maritime industry as the US struggles to pressure the regime to give up its nuclear weapons programme.

The US Treasury issued sanctions against 28 vessels, 27 companies and one individual across nine jurisdictions, including China, Singapore and Tanzania, on Friday. Officials said those sanctioned had exported coal or made ship-to-ship transfers in violation of existing UN Security Council sanctions and often via deception. 

“We are very much closing in on one of the primary means that the regime uses to finance itself,” said a senior US official, adding the Trump administration wanted to make it “loud and clear” that there are significant consequences for other entities that are working with North Korea.