THE Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) said it had not been informed of any intention by a closely watched North Korean ship to call at Singapore's port.

The Kang Nam 1, which is suspected of carrying illicit weapons, was last spotted cruising through waters off Shanghai on Tuesday en route to Myanmar.

'The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore has not been informed of any intention by Kang Nam 1 to call at the Port of Singapore,' said an MPA spokesperson in an e-mailed reply to The Straits Times. 'If the allegation is true, Singapore will act appropriately.'

'Singapore takes seriously the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, their means of delivery and related materials,' it added.

Kang Nam 1 left the North Korean port of Nampo last Wednesday and was reportedly heading to Myanmar via Singapore. The Associated Press, quoting a shipping expert, said the Kang Nam 1 would need to refuel in Singapore if it wanted to travel the 6,600km distance between Nampo and Myanmar.

The journey is estimated to take about nine days, meaning the vessel could reach Singapore tomorrow, the official from Sinokor Merchant Marine in Seoul was quoted as saying. It would need another four days to reach Myanmar.

Read the full report in Thursday's edition of The Straits Times.