MOGADISHU — The Federal Government of Somalia has taken a major step toward revitalizing its maritime sector, with the Minister of Ports and Marine Transport, Abdulqadir Mohamed Nur, formally agreeing to establish a new national ship registry.
Modernizing Maritime Administration
In a formal agreement signed with Mr. Çağdaş Oykun Saltaș, Director of Somali Ship Register Limited, the government outlined a comprehensive initiative that will legally enable commercial and private vessels to operate under the Somali flag. This move is widely considered a significant leap forward in the administration’s push to modernize and advance Somalia’s long-dormant maritime industry.
This landmark registry agreement directly follows the Prime Minister’s recent endorsement of a contemporary framework for documenting and identifying vessels operating under Somali authority, demonstrating a rapid, coordinated implementation of the new federal maritime strategy.
Boosting Investment and Global Competitiveness
During the signing ceremony, Minister Nur highlighted that this strategic partnership will actively foster new domestic and foreign investment prospects. He noted that a formalized, internationally recognized registry is expected to generate critical employment opportunities and significantly improve the international standing of the Somali flag through close, ongoing collaboration with seasoned maritime specialists.
The Minister characterized the Memorandum of Understanding as a calculated, long-term strategy by the Federal Government to bolster Somalia’s maritime governance. By aligning regulatory standards with global norms, the initiative is designed to firmly establish the nation as a competitive player in international shipping and marine operations, a push that closely mirrors Mogadishu’s broader diplomatic engagements at the World Trade Organization aimed at integrating into global markets.
