Thursday April 2, 2026
Mogadishu (HOL) — Somalia has officially registered its first vessel to fly the national flag since the collapse of the central government in 1991, a move describes as a historic step toward restoring the country’s maritime sovereignty.
The ship, named Guney (IMO 8230417), was formally registered under the Somali flag on Wednesday after completing all legal and regulatory procedures required for flag state recognition, the Ministry of Ports and Maritime Transport said.
Ports and Maritime Transport Minister Abdulqadir Mohamed Nur called the move a significant breakthrough in rebuilding Somalia’s maritime institutions and restoring international confidence.
“Today marks an important moment that demonstrates Somalia’s return to its rightful place in international shipping,” Nur said at the announcement ceremony in Mogadishu.
The registration follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding Sunday between the ministry and a private entity, Somali Ship Register Limited, aimed at establishing an official ship registry for vessels operating under the Somali flag. The agreement was signed by Minister Nur and Çağdaş Oykun Saltaş, general manager of Somali Ship Register Limited.
According to the ministry, the new registry is designed to facilitate compliance with international maritime standards and enable shipowners to register vessels more efficiently under Somali jurisdiction.
Officials say the initiative forms part of a broader government strategy to strengthen governance over Somalia’s extensive coastline, the longest in mainland Africa, and to position the country competitively within global shipping and maritime services.
Somalia’s maritime sector collapsed alongside state institutions in the early 1990s, leading to decades of unregulated waters, illegal fishing and piracy. Successive governments have sought to rebuild maritime administration, including establishing coast guard capabilities and re-engaging with international maritime bodies.
The ministry urged Somali businesspeople and shipowners to register their vessels under the national flag, describing it as both an economic opportunity and a contribution to national recovery.
The registration of Guney marks the first time in more than three decades that a Somali-flagged vessel has officially departed from Mogadishu under internationally recognized procedures, officials said.