GAROWE (KAAB TV) – The Puntland government announced that its naval force, the Puntland Maritime Police Force (PMPF), has detained a foreign vessel named MV Sea World after it was discovered unlawfully anchored along the shores of the Bareeda district for two consecutive days without authorization or request for assistance.
According to a statement released by the Puntland Ministry of Information, the vessel failed to communicate with local maritime authorities or seek permission to remain in Puntland’s territorial waters—actions that breach international maritime laws and protocols, including those outlined in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982).
“A preliminary investigation confirms that the MV Sea World lacked any formal clearance or legal justification for entering Puntland waters,” the ministry stated. “Such unauthorized entry is a clear violation of international law, particularly when the vessel may present a security threat or is suspected of transporting weapons.”
The Puntland authorities emphasized that the incident occurred in a highly sensitive area near an active conflict zone, where Puntland forces are currently engaged in operations against the terrorist group Daesh (ISIS). This proximity heightened the concern surrounding the vessel’s presence.
Citing Articles 25(1) and 27(1) of the UNCLOS, the Puntland government reaffirmed its sovereign right to monitor and inspect any foreign vessels within its maritime jurisdiction to safeguard national security and enforce international regulations.
“We have initiated a full investigation to determine the vessel’s ownership, its intended mission, and its cargo,” the ministry added. “Those found to be responsible for breaching Puntland’s maritime sovereignty will face legal consequences.”
This development comes amid a broader campaign by Puntland to strengthen maritime security and combat illegal activities along its coast, including smuggling, unregulated fishing, and the infiltration of extremist elements through the sea.