The Director General of Mogadishu Port, Mohamed Ali Nur, has visited the Port of Seattle in the United States following an official invitation from the Port of Seattle Commission, where he held talks aimed at strengthening maritime cooperation and expanding institutional partnerships between the two ports.

The Somali delegation was welcomed by Commissioner Hamdi Mohamed, a member of the Port of Seattle Commission, alongside Commissioner Sam Cho, during a meeting focused on enhancing collaboration in port management, technical expertise, and workforce development.

During the discussions, Mohamed Ali Nur briefed the Seattle Port Commission on the ongoing modernization of Mogadishu Port, highlighting recent operational improvements, expanded services, infrastructure upgrades, and the port’s strategic role in facilitating Somalia’s international trade and economic recovery.

For their part, officials from the Port of Seattle presented an overview of the port’s management structure, global logistics operations, technological innovations, and best practices in maritime trade, cargo handling, environmental sustainability, and port administration.

At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides agreed to establish a Sister Ports Partnership, a framework designed to promote long-term cooperation through the exchange of professional expertise, technical assistance, staff training, institutional capacity-building, and knowledge sharing. The initiative is expected to help strengthen the operational capabilities of Mogadishu Port while fostering closer ties between the two maritime institutions.

The visit reflects Somalia’s broader efforts to modernize its maritime sector and expand international partnerships as the country seeks to position Mogadishu Port as a competitive regional gateway for trade and logistics in the Horn of Africa.

In recent years, the Federal Government has prioritized reforms in the maritime sector, including investments in port infrastructure, improved customs procedures, and stronger international cooperation. Somalia also recently acceded to 15 international maritime conventions, a move aimed at aligning the country’s maritime governance with global standards, improving shipping safety, strengthening environmental protections, and attracting greater foreign investment into the blue economy.

Mogadishu Port remains Somalia’s busiest commercial seaport, handling the majority of the country’s imports and exports. Authorities say expanding partnerships with internationally recognized ports such as Seattle will play an important role in improving operational efficiency, enhancing workforce skills, and supporting Somalia’s long-term economic development and integration into global maritime trade.