MOGADISHU (Kaab TV) – The Federal Government of Somalia has announced its accession to 15 international maritime conventions, protocols, and legal instruments, marking what officials describe as the most significant modernization of the country’s maritime legal framework since Somalia gained independence in 1960.
The announcement was made by the Ministry of Ports and Marine Transport, which said the move is designed to strengthen Somalia’s integration into the global maritime system, improve maritime governance, enhance safety and security at sea, and attract greater international investment in the country’s blue economy.
Despite possessing Africa’s longest coastline and occupying one of the world’s most strategically important maritime corridors, Somalia had ratified only three international maritime agreements since independence. Officials said this limited participation had hindered the country’s ability to fully benefit from international shipping, maritime trade, and global maritime safety and environmental standards.
The ministry said the new accessions reflect the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring that Somalia takes its rightful place within the international maritime legal framework.
The government believes the reforms will improve the regulation of maritime transport, strengthen search-and-rescue capabilities, enhance the training and certification of Somali seafarers, protect the marine environment, combat maritime crime, and boost confidence among international shipping companies and investors.
The agreements cover a broad range of maritime issues, including ship safety and navigation, international standards for seafarers, maritime search and rescue, facilitation of international maritime traffic, marine environmental protection, oil pollution preparedness and compensation mechanisms, prevention of pollution from ships, maritime security, suppression of unlawful acts against navigation, removal of hazardous shipwrecks, and satellite maritime communications.
According to the Ministry of Ports and Marine Transport, joining these conventions forms part of the government’s broader reform agenda under the DanQaran programme and the National Transformation Plan (NTP).
Officials said the move is expected to strengthen Somalia’s maritime institutions, align national legislation with internationally recognized standards, expand economic opportunities linked to the country’s maritime sector, and reinforce Somalia’s role in regional and global maritime affairs.
The government described the decision as a historic milestone that lays the foundation for a safer, more secure, and internationally competitive maritime sector capable of supporting Somalia’s long-term economic development and protecting its vast marine resources.