Somalia takes steps to govern international vessel operations
The Memorandum of Understanding was signed in Mogadishu on Sunday between Somalia’s Ministry of Ports and Marine Transport and Somali Ship Register Limited, a privately owned company.
Wednesday April 1, 2026
Somalia has been stepping up its push for a larger role on the world stage in recent years. / Others
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Somalia has moved a significant notch closer to putting its flag on ships sailing abroad after signing an agreement to establish the Somali Ship Registry system.
The Memorandum of Understanding was signed in Mogadishu on Sunday between Somalia’s Ministry of Ports and Marine Transport and Somali Ship Register Limited, a privately owned company.
In a statement, the ministry said the partnership is intended to build a “formal national ship registration framework, enabling vessels to operate internationally under the Somali flag.”
It described the initiative as a “decisive step” in the development and modernisation of Somalia’s maritime sector, saying it would help strengthen the country’s standing in global shipping.
According to a statement released by the ministry, the agreement was signed by Minister Nur and Çağdaş Oykun Saltaş, General Manager of Somali Ship Register Limited.
“Today, I had the honour of signing an important Memorandum of Understanding to establish Somalia’s ship registry, to offer Somali flag to ships, through a privately owned company. This milestone reflects our strong commitment to advancing and modernising our maritime sector,” Somalia’s Minister of Ports and Marine Transport, Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, said after the signing ceremony.
“Through this agreement, we are opening new doors for investment, job creation, and improved efficiency by leveraging private sector expertise. It is a strategic step towards strengthening governance and enhancing Somalia’s competitiveness in the global shipping industry,” he added.
Nur said he was confident the deal would “support sustainable economic growth and position Somalia as a credible and reliable maritime hub. We remain committed to building a stronger future for our nation.”
Somalia has been making efforts in recent years to increase its presence on the global stage as it rebuilds from years of armed conflict and natural disasters.