North Korean authorities have launched a solar-powered ferry shuttle service to help commuters traverse the capital city's Taedong river during busy periods, state media outlet Uriminzokkiri said on Tuesday.

The service, which comprises three 45 tonne boats capable of carrying 50-60 passengers at a time, has reportedly, since December 2016, been "meandering through the heart of Pyongyang," despite extremely icy conditions having frozen much of the river solid.