maritime

Ireland plans to push maritime security higher up the European agenda when it takes over the presidency of the Council of the European Union on 1 July, with Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade and Defence Helen McEntee saying she intends to place the country’s new maritime strategy front and centre. Speaking in Warsaw after bilateral talks with Polish foreign minister Radosław Sikorski and defence minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, who both also serve as deputy prime ministers of Poland, Ms McEntee said the discussions…

An oil tanker has been hijacked off Somalia’s coast and forced into the country’s territorial waters, according to the British maritime security agency UKMTO, in a fresh sign of mounting danger for vessels moving through the region. The incident underscores the growing hazards facing ships in the Red Sea corridor, an increasingly vital supply route as Iran’s grip on the Strait of Hormuz — the gateway to the Gulf on the opposite side of the Arabian Peninsula — tightens pressure on maritime traffic. UKMTO said the tanker was…

Thursday April 23, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Wednesday opened the new headquarters of the Ministry of Ports and Maritime Transport, placing fresh emphasis on the government’s push to turn the maritime sector into a pillar of economic growth. Addressing the ceremony in Mogadishu, the president said the federal government is giving priority to upgrading ports, reinforcing maritime security and safeguarding marine resources as part of a broader effort to support long-term national…

By Abdulkarim AbdulleSaturday April 18, 2026 A recent article from Ethiopia’s Institute of Foreign Affairs (IFA) on Baidoa has drawn a sharp rebuttal, with critics saying it distorts events on the ground and misreads Somalia’s constitutional security structure. Although the original piece attempted to place developments in South West State within a wider regional security debate, its argument leaned on conjecture, selective history, and a flawed reading of the Federal Government of Somalia’s responsibilities. The central…

Tuesday April 14, 2026 Hargeisa (AX) — North Western State of Somalia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday brought together senior government institutions for the latest quarterly meeting of the Maritime Security Coordination Mechanism, as officials moved to sharpen defenses against mounting risks along the country’s coastline. Held in Hargeisa, the meeting examined the changing security picture in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, where developments in regional and international affairs continue to shape some of the…

North Western State of Somalia Coast Guard warns holiday travelers: Only it can designate safe swimming zones Hargeisa (AX) — The commander of the North Western State of Somalia Coast Guard urged holidaymakers on Saturday to follow official safety guidance as thousands prepare to flock to Berbera and other coastal towns during Eid and public holidays, warning that only the Coast Guard has legal authority to designate safe areas for swimming. “Anyone who wants to know safe areas for swimming should consult the Coast Guard,”…

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia has declared its full solidarity with Kuwait in a burgeoning maritime border dispute with Iraq, cautioning that a recent Iraqi filing at the United Nations could impinge on Kuwait’s sovereignty and recognized maritime zones. In a statement released Feb. 25, 2026, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said it is closely monitoring Iraq’s submission of maritime coordinate lists to the U.N., a procedural step used by states to lodge their claims under international law.…

Somalia and Saudi Arabia on Friday signed a comprehensive maritime transport cooperation agreement in Riyadh, laying out a long-term plan to modernize Somalia’s ports, strengthen shipping services and deepen logistics ties along one of the world’s most strategic sea lanes. The accord was signed by Somalia’s minister of ports and marine transport, Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, and Saudi Arabia’s minister of transport and logistics services, Eng. Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser. Officials from both governments described the deal as a…

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Turkish Navy warships docked at Mogadishu’s seaport Tuesday, marking a new phase in Somalia–Turkey security cooperation as the allies expand joint maritime operations alongside deepening energy ties in Somali waters. The vessels were formally welcomed Wednesday by a high-level Somali delegation led by State Minister for Defense Omar Abdi Ali. Somali National Army Commander Brig. Gen. Ibrahim Mohamed Mohamud, who also oversees the navy and coast guard, attended alongside senior naval officers and…

Red Sea Dreams: Can Ethiopia Swap National Icons for a Maritime Future? ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Thursday renewed his push to secure Ethiopia’s long-sought access to the Red Sea, calling it a “matter of survival” essential to the country’s long-term development and security and insisting any path forward would be negotiated, commercial and peaceful. Speaking during a question-and-answer session with the House of People’s Representatives, Abiy framed the issue as central to regional stability and…