MOGADISHU, Somalia – The State Minister of Ports and Marine Transport of the Federal Republic of Somalia, H.E. Mohamed Abdulkadir, hosted a high-level delegation from the European Union at the Mogadishu Port on Thursday. The visiting diplomatic mission was led by the European Union Ambassador to Somalia, H.E. Karin Johansson (Francesca Di Mauro), marking a renewed engagement between Mogadishu and Brussels regarding the development of Somalia’s critical maritime infrastructure.
The reception at the port complex was attended by senior management officials, including Deputy Port Managers Dr. Ali Haji and Mr. Abdullahi Karshe. The primary objective of the high-stakes meeting was to align international support with the Federal Government’s strategic master plan for the modernization and physical expansion of the Mogadishu Port. Discussions centered on the European Union’s role in providing technical and financial backing to enhance the port’s operational capacity, positioning it as a competitive trade hub for the Horn of Africa.
Beyond infrastructure development, the officials engaged in a comprehensive dialogue concerning maritime safety and security. Both parties recognized that a secure maritime domain is essential for the economic prosperity of the region. The State Minister highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts to secure Somali waters and emphasized the value of the EU’s partnership in strengthening the regulatory and safety frameworks governing the country’s shipping lanes.
Following the strategic talks, the State Minister guided Ambassador Di Mauro and her delegation on an extensive inspection tour of the port facilities. The diplomats observed the daily operations across various terminals, assessing the cargo handling processes and the recent improvements made to the port’s logistics systems. This on-site assessment provided the EU representatives with a firsthand perspective on the port’s growing volume and the practical impact of the modernization initiatives currently underway.
