Authorities in Somalia’s Puntland State have intercepted a foreign-flagged cargo vessel reportedly carrying Turkish-marked military equipment en route to Mogadishu, prompting a new round of scrutiny over Somalia’s maritime governance and regional political tensions.
The vessel, identified as the Sea World, is flagged under Comoros and was stopped by the Puntland Maritime Police Force (PMPF) on July 18 in the Gulf of Aden near Cape Guardafui. According to video footage released by Puntland authorities, the cargo included armored personnel carriers (APCs), mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicles (MRAPs), anti-aircraft guns, and ammunition crates—some of which were visibly labeled as Turkish military equipment.
The ship was reportedly heading toward a military training facility operated by Turkey in Mogadishu. Turkey has trained Somali federal forces for years through its TURKSOM base under a bilateral defense agreement. While Somali federal officials stated the shipment was bound for this base, Puntland authorities have not confirmed whether the cargo was authorized or whether the vessel had clearance to pass through Puntland’s territorial waters.
The Sea World, now docked at the port of Bosaso, is under investigation by Puntland officials. Local reports suggest the vessel may have experienced mechanical issues that brought it closer to Puntland’s coast. Public tracking data indicates that the ship originated from Dongguan, China.
The vessel itself has a history of port state control deficiencies, including fire safety violations and documentation irregularities. It sails under the flag of Comoros, a registry rated as high risk by the Paris Memorandum of Understanding (Paris MOU) and flagged in the European Union for links to sanctioned commercial operators.
The incident comes amid ongoing political tensions between Puntland and the Somali federal government. Puntland, which declared it would act independently of Mogadishu in March 2024 following disagreements over constitutional reforms, has suspended cooperation with federal institutions and asserted control over its own security and maritime affairs.
Under United Nations Security Council resolutions, weapons deliveries to Somalia’s federal forces must follow formal notification protocols, despite the lifting of a long-standing arms embargo in December 2023. The legal status of the current shipment remains under review.
The broader regional context includes increased maritime security concerns in the Gulf of Aden. In April, the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) conducted airstrikes on an unflagged vessel carrying military-grade weapons off Somalia’s coast. The U.S. military has reported at least 43 airstrikes in Somalia so far in 2025, primarily targeting al-Shabaab and ISIS-affiliated groups. In addition, reports have indicated growing cooperation between Somalia-based militant groups and Houthi forces across the Gulf in Yemen.
As of Tuesday, neither the Turkish government nor Somali federal authorities had issued formal statements regarding the Sea World incident. Puntland’s investigation into the ship and its cargo remains ongoing.
