Somalia’s Mogadishu Port switches to 24/7 operations in bid to cut delays and boost trade
MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia has begun round-the-clock operations at the Port of Mogadishu for the first time, a step officials say will ease chronic congestion, speed cargo handling, and strengthen the country’s position in regional trade. The shift to uninterrupted service took effect Friday, Nov. 14, 2025, following recent upgrades to core port infrastructure.
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Senior representatives from the Ministry of Ports and Marine Transport, the Mogadishu Port Authority, security agencies, and other government bodies gathered at the waterfront Friday night to mark the start of 24-hour operations. Authorities framed the move as a key milestone in a broader maritime modernization plan championed by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre as the government seeks to restore stability and attract investment.
“We expect reduced congestion and fewer delays in vessel services, while also boosting the port’s competitiveness,” said Ports Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur. “This will directly contribute to increased government revenue and improve the overall efficiency of trade. For Somali traders, this is a welcome development, as it will make port services more reliable and streamline business operations.” He also thanked Port Director Ambassador Mohamed Ali Nur “Americo,” Albayrak Port Mogadishu, security agencies, and other departments for their role in the rollout.
Mogadishu Port Manager Mohamed Ali Nur “Americo” said keeping the port active throughout the night is expected to relieve the heavy truck queues that often spill onto the capital’s main thoroughfares during daytime peaks. Port traffic has routinely clogged key arteries, creating bottlenecks that ripple across the city’s commercial districts.
The Port of Mogadishu, among East Africa’s oldest, has seen significant improvements in recent years, including new cargo-handling equipment, expanded berths, and the introduction of digital management systems. Officials say the 24/7 schedule is the next phase of that modernization, intended to make ship calls more predictable, shorten turnaround times, and provide traders with more consistent access to customs and logistics services.
While port leaders did not release specific performance targets, they described the shift as a practical measure to chip away at delays that have long raised the cost of doing business in Somalia. Round-the-clock operations are standard at many busy regional gateways, and Mogadishu’s move brings its schedule closer to those competitors at a time when the Horn of Africa is vying for trade and logistics investment.
Security agencies were involved in the preparations, underscoring the coordination required to run a major port at night. Authorities did not detail additional security measures but stressed that the new schedule is designed to be continuous and sustainable.
The government says the uninterrupted service is now in effect. Officials signaled more upgrades ahead as they work to expand capacity and tighten logistics across the country’s maritime sector.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
