MOGADISHU — President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Wednesday officially launched the new headquarters for the Ministry of Ports and Marine Transport in Mogadishu, highlighting the administration’s dedication to enhancing maritime facilities and fostering economic expansion.
Addressing attendees, the president stated that the government is focusing on upgrading the nation’s port facilities and advancing the protection of its maritime domain. He stressed the significance of strengthening naval security, protecting natural resources, and conserving the marine ecosystem to ensure sustainable utilization of Somalia’s extensive coastal areas.
Blue Economy as Economic Driver
Mohamud indicated that the administration seeks to establish the maritime sector as a primary catalyst for economic advancement through better resource oversight, halting environmental deterioration, and broadening commercial prospects. The president presented the nation’s detailed blue economic plan, stating that the Federal Government is dedicated to turning Somalia’s coastal areas into the main driver of the nation’s economic progress.
This goal depends significantly on enhancing domestic port facilities to meet rigorous global standards, enabling smooth, large-scale connections between local businesses and profitable global markets. After the opening ceremony, the president inspected multiple sections of the new complex, which is projected to enhance maritime operations, streamline commerce, and reinforce Somalia’s connections with global markets. He also recognized ministry personnel for their contributions in improving public services and promoting national progress.
Maritime Security and Environmental Protection
Beyond commercial development, the president outlined stringent guidelines concerning maritime security and ecological protection. The administration’s strategic approach focuses on the complete protection of territorial waters, the responsible utilization of ocean resources, and the active prevention of unauthorized exploitation. By implementing strict environmental and security measures, the government ensures that Somalia’s abundant marine assets remain well-protected and economically valuable for future generations.
New Container Terminal Expansion
The headquarters launch follows significant investments in Somalia’s port infrastructure. In August 2025, Somalia marked a major milestone in its maritime development with the inauguration of a new container terminal at Mogadishu Port, significantly increasing the country’s cargo handling capacity. The expansion raised the port’s annual throughput from 150,000 to 250,000 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs), positioning it to better serve the country’s growing trade needs. Equipped with modern cranes and reach stackers, the new terminal is expected to enhance efficiency, reduce vessel turnaround times, and make Mogadishu more attractive to international shipping lines.
“This development is a testament to Somalia’s commitment to modernizing its maritime infrastructure and building a foundation for sustainable economic growth,” the minister said during the inauguration.
Landmark Saudi Arabia Maritime Agreement
Somalia has been actively forging international partnerships to strengthen its maritime sector. In February 2026, Somalia and Saudi Arabia established a landmark cooperation agreement focused on port development and maritime transport, aimed at enhancing economic relations between the two nations and reinforcing collaborative security along the critical Red Sea trade routes. The agreement was formalized by Somalia’s Minister of Ports and Marine Transport, Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, and Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Transport and Logistics Services, Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser.
According to a joint statement, the comprehensive agreement encompasses port development, export promotion, investment opportunities, and technical knowledge exchange. The deal also facilitates increased cooperation in maritime infrastructure and related economic sectors, reflecting the Cabinet’s recent push for international transport partnerships. Somali officials anticipate the partnership will modernize port facilities, significantly enhance operational efficiency, and draw foreign investment as Mogadishu aims to establish the nation as a highly competitive commercial maritime hub in the Horn of Africa.
EU Partnership on Port Modernization
The Ministry of Ports and Marine Transport has also deepened cooperation with the European Union. In October 2025, Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur met with European Union Ambassador to Somalia Francesca Di Mauro, reaffirming what he called a “strategic alliance built on trust, friendship, and a common vision for peace, stability, and growth”. Nur praised the EU for its longstanding support to Somalia’s maritime sector, highlighting its role in coastal security operations, anti-piracy missions, and port infrastructure development.
“Our partnership with the European Union goes beyond formality—it is a genuine collaboration that is reshaping Somalia’s blue economy,” Nur said during the talks.
First National Ship Registry Since 1991
In a historic development for Somalia’s maritime sector, the Ministry of Ports and Marine Transport officially registered the commercial vessel Guney under the Somali flag, marking the first such national registration since the country’s state collapse in 1991. The ship was officially added to Somalia’s national ship registry after the government successfully established the necessary, modernized legal and regulatory frameworks required for international maritime operations.
This registration marks a massive advancement in Somalia’s ongoing efforts to rebuild its lucrative maritime sector, which has remained severely underdeveloped for decades. The breakthrough directly follows recent high-level meetings where the Prime Minister received a comprehensive maritime report and formally endorsed new ship registration initiatives.
Turkey’s Commitment to Maritime Development
Turkey has been a key partner in Somalia’s maritime reconstruction efforts. In April 2025, Ambassador Alper Aktaş of the Republic of Turkey met with Somalia’s newly appointed Minister for Ports and Marine Transport, Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, to discuss deepening bilateral cooperation. The meeting underscored Turkey’s enduring partnership with Somalia, particularly in the development of critical infrastructure and maritime trade, highlighting ongoing and future projects aimed at strengthening Somalia’s ports and marine transport sector.
Regional Maritime Integration
Somalia has also endorsed major multilateral transport agreements. The Council of Ministers unanimously approved a landmark multilateral Memorandum of Understanding signed with the Republic of Türkiye’s Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure and a coalition of African coastal nations. The agreement aims to strengthen collaboration in transportation infrastructure, facilitate the seamless movement of goods and services, and promote joint investments in ports, logistics corridors, and related sectors.
Egypt’s StREAM Initiative
Somalia has welcomed regional initiatives to boost maritime growth. At the 5th Aswan Forum for Sustainable Peace and Development, Somalia’s Foreign Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi endorsed the Suez and Red Sea Initiative for Economic and Maritime Development (StREAM) — a multi-country framework to promote growth, connectivity, and environmental protection across the region’s maritime routes. The initiative rests on four pillars: advancing the blue economy, upgrading infrastructure and ports, safeguarding the marine ecosystem, and deepening economic integration among participating nations.
“The Red Sea is not just a waterway; it is a shared lifeline connecting our peoples, economies, and futures. Somalia welcomes Egypt’s leadership in bringing together countries that share this vital corridor to ensure it becomes a source of peace, prosperity, and environmental resilience,” Fiqi said in his remarks.
UNDP Blue Economy Cooperation
Somalia has been working with international partners to unlock its marine potential. Somalia’s State Minister for Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Yusuf Mohamed Waliid, met with Christopher Laker, the Deputy Resident Representative of the UNDP in Somalia, to explore avenues for expanding cooperation in the blue economy sector. Waliid emphasized the blue economy as a cornerstone of the country’s long-term development vision.
“Our coastline offers immense opportunities for fisheries, maritime transport, and marine biodiversity conservation. To harness these assets effectively, Somalia needs stronger institutional support, technical expertise, and investment partnerships — areas where UNDP’s role is vital,” Waliid said.
Commitment to Maritime Transformation
After his official speech, the president thoroughly examined the new building’s operational sections. He acknowledged the Ministry’s staff for their essential contribution in implementing government policies and strengthening the administrative capabilities needed to effectively manage the country’s maritime territories.
The Federal Government has identified ports and maritime transport as central pillars of its long-term development strategy, viewing efficient maritime trade as a driver of growth, job creation, and national revenue. With Somalia’s coastline—the longest in mainland Africa—offering unmatched potential for shipping, logistics, and blue economy investments, the government is actively courting international partners to transform the sector into a key driver of national prosperity.
