THE Federal Government will investigate whether the Iran-bound ANL Australia cargo ship, discovered carrying undeclared weapons, has breached Australian laws and sanctions.
In July, the Australian-registered ship was stopped by United Arab Emirates authorities who seized up to 10 container loads of weapons from North Korea when it berthed in Abu Dhabi.
The weapons were confiscated.
Under UN Security Council resolution 1874, weapons exports from North Korea are prohibited.
Department of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman said Australian laws implementing UN Security Council resolutions apply both in Australia as well as to Australian citizens abroad and corporations anywhere in the world and are taken seriously by the government.
Transport Minister Anthony Albanese said if breaches to Australian law had occurred, the matter would be referred to appropriate police authorities for penalty.
The ANL Australia is owned by ANL, once Australia's national shipping line but now wholly owned by French-based CMA CGM.
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