Toyama Prefecture on Thursday urged the agent for a North Korean freighter stranded off Toyama port after being denied entry to quickly refuel the ship so it can take shelter from an approaching typhoon, prefectural officials said.
The Tokyo-based agent for the 874-ton Suyangsan responded to Toyama's request by saying it will discuss the matter with the ship's owner, the officials said.
There has been no progress in negotiations between the prefecture and the owner over the refueling, including which party will foot the bill. But the prefecture has said that if the agent fails to find an oil provider, "it is possible the prefecture will arrange for it through local agents."