Construction Expands at Nampho Port
Commercial satellite imagery of Nampho Port indicates previously identified work on a ship repair way is part of a much larger project that will significantly upgrade the facility. Nampho, located on the west coast of North Korea, is both the country’s primary ship construction and repair facility and its largest commercial port, known for its coal, petroleum, oil and commercial goods imports and exports.
This work on Nampho’s shipbuilding facilities, together with the recent reveal of a new naval base being built on the east coast, appear to be part of larger efforts to upgrade the Korean People’s Navy.
Marine Repair Way Construction
At the center of the port, construction of a large structure on one of the two marine repair ways has been progressing since September 2023. As of late September 2024, the structure was walled off on four sides, likely to effectively shield construction of shipbuilding work on the repair way from overhead surveillance.
On imagery from November 2, a roof or covering is being installed over the top of the structure. The green covering is semi-transparent and possibly a tarp or netting material. As it does not appear sturdy enough to support the weight of a snowfall as winter nears, it is likely just a temporary measure to conceal activity taking place. The structure could possibly become a shipbuilding hall, but the framing and covering differ from other construction halls throughout the country. Measuring 30 meters by 170 meters, the hall would be among the largest in North Korea.
Parallel to the adjacent repair way, a similar grid lattice is also visible. These gridworks are designed to support the staging of component parts for ships under construction, keeping materials off the ground for ease of lifting. This work appears to be part of efforts to build up the repair ways and could possibly mirror the work being done on its neighbor.
Secure Boat Basin
In imagery from September 2024, work had begun to fill in the secure boat basin. By November 2, multiple piles had been driven into the riverbed in the basin area and around the end of the other repair way with grid lattice. It appears the entirety of the basin will eventually be filled.
East Repair Ways
On the east side of the ship repair area, the two ship repair ways are also abuzz with activity. Nearby is a similar grid lattice to that seen on the west side of the site. A white building was constructed between the lattice work and the water in October and November of 2023. While the purpose of the building is unclear, it blocks the path between the gridwork and the water.
Building Construction
A number of new buildings are also being erected near the west repair ways, where land was cleared earlier this year. Their purpose is yet unclear.
