Nampho Port: Newest Naval Combatant Likely Left the Hall
Commercial satellite imagery of Nampho Port indicates North Korea’s newest warship has likely left the construction hall and is positioned inside a floating drydock berthed at the newly refurbished quay.
It has been less than a year since the first observable signs of construction were seen at Nampho, the west coast command headquarters for North Korea’s navy and the country’s largest commercial port. In May 2024, construction began at one of the existing ship repair ways on what would become the construction hall for the new warship. The first components of the ship were pieced together soon thereafter, as work continued to build the construction hall around the ship. By the end of 2024, the hall was complete, blocking off any observation of the ship work by satellite.
The vessel’s appearance inside the drydock highlights the remarkable speed at which it has been built and underscores the urgency with which Kim’s stated objectives are to be met. Furthermore, the staging of new components, presumably to be moved into the construction hall, may indicate that several vessels of this class will be constructed here. Progress on this vessel, indications of further construction, and the recent reveal of progress North Korea has made on a nuclear-powered submarine all demonstrate North Korea’s renewed emphasis on bolstering its country’s naval capabilities.
New Warship
A series of medium resolution images taken between March 23 and 26 revealed that the floating drydock was maneuvered to a position in front of the construction hall on March 24, aligned with the construction hall’s launch rails, where it remained for a few days. On imagery from March 26, the drydock—this time with the vessel—was moved to the west end of the newly refurbished quay, and eventually to the east end where it remained on imagery from March 30.
The total length from the beginning of the netting to the ship’s stern, as measured on imagery from April 6, is 144 meters. With the length of the construction hall being 175 meters, it is highly likely the vessel seen on imagery is the same as the one in the construction hall visited by Kim Jong Un, as reported in North Korean state media on March 8.
The ship itself is covered in camouflage netting, so the exact layout and details of its configuration cannot be confirmed. Its width and general formation indicate it will likely have a helipad and hangar, similar to other modern naval combatants.
Near the ship’s bow, part of the camouflage netting has been removed, and a crane is observed. Although its purpose is unclear, it is possible work is being completed on the anchor winch mechanism, sonar subsystem, or a deck gun.
Construction Hall
On imagery from March 30, the roof material at the new construction hall appears partially pulled back, indicating it is made of a less permanent material and that some work may be occurring inside. The traveling gantry crane is positioned over the opening. Nearby, a floating crane is stationed with materials on it. Imagery from April 6 shows the traveling crane has moved closer to the south end of the hall, revealing an opening on the roof. A floating crane and barges are docked nearby. This positioning may indicate that components are being delivered inside the construction hall via the water.
Construction continues at the nearby support buildings. Roofing on the larger building nears completion, and the trusses for another have begun to be put in place on imagery from March 30.
POL Storage
Work appears to have progressed on the two new POL tank bases highlighted in a report from January. Three additional bases have been constructed since then.
