The Ministry of Ports and Maritime Transport of the Federal Government of Somalia has officially registered the first ship to fly the Somali flag since the collapse of the country, with the move being described as historic and reviving the country’s reputation and maritime power.
The vessel, named “Guney” (IMO 8230417), has now been officially registered under the Somali flag, after completing all the necessary legal and regulatory requirements for any country that issues a flag to a ship.
The Minister of Ports and Maritime Transport, Abdulqadir Mohamed Nur, said that this move marks a major breakthrough in rebuilding Somalia’s maritime institutions and international confidence.
“Today is an important day that shows that Somalia has returned to its international role in the field of shipping,” the minister said.
The registration of the vessel follows a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the Ministry with Somali Ship Register Limited, which will establish an official registry of vessels operating in Somali waters.
The agreement is expected to facilitate ship owners to easily register their vessels under the Somali flag.
The Ministry of Ports and Maritime Transport has called on Somali businessmen and ship owners to take advantage of this new opportunity and register their vessels under the national flag, in order to contribute to the country’s economic development.
The Ministry described the move as part of the government’s broader plan to strengthen the management and development of marine resources, with the aim of making Somalia a country that competes with other leading countries in global shipping services.
This is the first time since the collapse that a Somali-registered ship has left Mogadishu and is flying the Somali flag.
