MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Authorities in Somalia’s northeastern Puntland state released a preliminary report on Sunday detailing the seizure of a bulk carrier vessel, Sea World, which was intercepted last week near the coastal town of Bareeda while carrying weapons and military equipment.
According to the Puntland Ministry of Information, the vessel, flying the flag of Comoros, entered Puntland’s territorial waters and remained there for two days without notifying local authorities or requesting emergency assistance—actions deemed to be in violation of international maritime law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982).
Related Stories
Puntland intercepts Turkish cargo ship allegedly carrying advanced weapons for Somalia’s govt
Civilians loot weapons from vessel intercepted off Somalia coast
Officials specifically cited breaches of Article 19(2)(b) and 19(2)(g) of UNCLOS, which prohibit foreign vessels from conducting military or intelligence-related activities in the territorial sea of another state without permission.
“The vessel’s failure to communicate and its presence in a high-risk security zone amid ongoing operations against ISIS-affiliated militants raised serious security concerns,” the ministry’s statement read.
The Sea World was reportedly carrying visible weaponry and armored military vehicles, triggering alarms about its potential intent. Puntland authorities emphasized that international protocols require vessels carrying military or hazardous cargo to notify and coordinate with coastal states before entry—protocols which were not followed in this case.
An official investigation has been launched to determine the vessel’s origin, ownership, cargo, and objectives. Puntland also invoked its rights under Articles 25(1) and 27(1) of UNCLOS, which permit coastal states to take appropriate measures, including inspection and enforcement actions, against unauthorized foreign vessels in their waters.
Political Undercurrents
The incident comes amid heightened political tensions between Puntland and Somalia’s federal government in Mogadishu. Reports indicate that the cargo was bound for federal authorities, who are currently engaged in efforts to establish an SSC Khatumo state by merging parts of the Sanaag and Sool regions—a move strongly opposed by Puntland, which considers Sanaag part of its territory.
This development has already led to clashes in parts of Sanaag last week, and some analysts speculate that Puntland may use the seizure of Sea World as leverage in its in its efforts to prevent Sanaag from being incorporated into the proposed SSC Khatumo state.
Concerns Over Looting
Adding to the complexity, Puntland officials confirmed that some light weapons from the ship were offloaded and have fallen into civilian hands. An internal probe is underway to determine how the weapons were looted and where they were transported.
It remains unclear whether the Sea World’s shipment was legally sanctioned by Somali federal authorities or part of an emerging arms smuggling route. This uncertainty is particularly significant given the recent lifting of the decades-long UN arms embargo on Somalia in late 2023, which has triggered concerns over potential surges in unregulated arms flows into the country.
Authorities have warned that if the investigation confirms violations of Puntland’s sovereignty or international law, those responsible will be held accountable both domestically and internationally.
Contact us: info@somaliguardian.com
