By HAN News Desk
LONDON — Somalia has formally joined the International Mobile Satellite Organization (IMSO), a move hailed as a major step in the country’s efforts to strengthen maritime security and improve monitoring of activities across its territorial waters.
The accession was announced following a high-level meeting in London between Somalia’s Minister of Ports and Marine Transport, Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, and the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Arsenio Dominguez.
In a statement, Somalia’s Ministry of Ports and Marine Transport said the meeting was part of broader national efforts to modernise maritime institutions, enhance ocean governance, and increase Somalia’s role in global maritime safety and navigation.
During the meeting, Minister Abdulkadir formally handed over Somalia’s instruments of accession to IMSO, a step the ministry described as a “historic milestone” that boosts the country’s capacity to monitor, manage, and protect its vast maritime domain. The ministry said Somalia’s membership is expected to strengthen cooperation with the IMO, particularly in technical capacity-building, maritime legislation, and security operations at sea.
The discussions also touched on Somalia’s plans to improve its maritime legal frameworks, expand training for maritime agencies, and establish modern systems to detect and prevent threats at sea. Officials say these reforms are essential for safeguarding Somalia’s waters and unlocking new opportunities in the country’s emerging blue economy.
Minister Abdulkadir reaffirmed the government’s commitment to rebuilding and modernising Somalia’s maritime sector after decades of conflict and institutional collapse. “It was an honour to meet IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez,” he said. “The submission of Somalia’s IMSO accession documents marks a new chapter for our country—one that strengthens maritime safety, trade, and our international partnerships.”
The development comes as Somalia continues to prioritise maritime security amid persistent challenges including piracy, illegal fishing, and broader regional threats affecting the Horn of Africa’s waters.
