GAROWE, Somalia (Horn Life) – Puntland authorities handed over a seized cargo ship carrying weapons to the Turkish government on Monday after diplomatic talks, resolving a dispute over the vessel’s ownership, the regional presidency said.
The MV Sea World and its cargo were transferred following a Bosaso meeting between Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni and a Turkish delegation led by Ambassador to Somalia Alper Aktas, according to a statement from Deni’s office.
The handover capped weeks of communications between Puntland and Turkey regarding the ship, which Puntland had detained for investigation.
The Turkish side presented comprehensive evidence confirming ownership of the vessel and all assets on board, the statement said.
“The Puntland government, acting on the evidence submitted by the Turkish government and the investigations conducted on the ship and its cargo, has decided to transfer responsibility for the MV Sea World and the assets on board to the Turkish government,” the statement said.
Somalia’s federal government had previously said the ship was linked to the TURKSOM military training base and Somali business interests.
Puntland officials had expressed doubts about the ownership, sparking debates over the past week.
The release followed high-level diplomatic efforts by Turkey, which maintains close ties with Deni, sources familiar with the matter said.
The MV Sea World was laden with a substantial shipment of heavy weaponry. Officials did not provide further details on the cargo’s intended destination.
Puntland, a regional state in northeastern Somalia, has been involved in efforts to combat arms trafficking in the volatile Horn of Africa nation.
