A vessel carrying Turkish-owned military supplies for the TURKSOM mission in Mogadishu has been forced to divert to Djibouti due to extreme weather, following a series of politically charged events that disrupted its intended voyage to Somalia.
The cargo ship, MV Sea World, had embarked on its journey from Izmir, Turkey, destined for Mogadishu. However, its route was anything but straightforward, reflecting both the fragile security environment and the complex political landscape of Somalia.
After weeks of delays caused by a maritime standoff in Somalia’s Puntland region, the MV Sea World was released on August 4, 2025. But before reaching Mogadishu, the vessel encountered “catastrophic weather conditions,” according to sources familiar with the situation. These conditions made navigation unsafe and forced the crew to divert to Djibouti to protect both the ship and its cargo.
“Sailing had become dangerous,” said a source with knowledge of the vessel’s condition. “There was a need to properly secure the vehicles and containers before we could continue the voyage.”
The vessel is now expected to continue its journey in the coming weeks, as Somalia ramps up its military operations against Al-Shabaab with support from Türkiye.
MV Sea World’s troubles began weeks earlier, on July 18, 2025, when it was detained by the Puntland Maritime Police Force (PMPF) off the coast of Bareda in the Ras Asayr region. Puntland authorities claimed the ship had been “loitering” suspiciously for two days and that its cargo risked falling into the hands of unauthorized individuals, including a group of local fishermen who boarded the vessel before the arrival of PMPF forces.
The incident sparked immediate diplomatic tension. The Turkish Ambassador to Somalia intervened after it was confirmed that the cargo belonged to the Turkish government. Puntland authorities subsequently moved the ship to Bosaso Port for further inspection.
After two weeks of negotiations, the standoff was resolved through high-level diplomatic engagement.
The vessel was released following a meeting between Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni and a Turkish delegation led by Ambassador Alper Aktaş. Puntland later stated it had relinquished control of the ship and cargo based on evidence confirming the shipment’s official Turkish ownership.
Implications for Security and Diplomacy
The ship remains docked in Djibouti awaiting improved weather conditions and cargo adjustments. The delayed delivery of military support equipment comes at a critical time for Somalia, which is accelerating its campaign against Al-Shabaab.