Somali Traders seek new import routes amid regional tensions

Somali traders have reportedly begun exploring alternative routes for importing goods amid growing security concerns around the Bab al-Mandab Strait and the Strait of Hormuz.

For years, Somali businesses have relied on Gulf countries, including the UAE, Oman and Saudi Arabia, to facilitate imports from Asia. However, rising regional tensions have prompted some traders to explore direct shipping routes that bypass Gulf ports.

Mohamed Ali Nur Ameriko, manager of the Port of Mogadishu, said the tensions had negatively affected maritime trade but that measures were being taken to reduce disruptions.

“The recent tensions in Bab al-Mandab and the Strait of Hormuz have negatively affected us, but we have also taken measures to avoid such disruptions,” he said.

Ameriko said a sugar shipment had recently arrived directly from Sri Lanka, describing the move as a possible strategy to cope with the changing regional situation.

Captain Ali Jemdi, a Syrian-born captain transporting sugar, told the Associated Press that the conflict had increased uncertainty for vessels operating in the region, warning that Bab al-Mandab could pose further challenges to shipping.

The disruptions could increase shipping costs and delay the arrival of essential goods in Somalia, which depends heavily on maritime trade.

The renewed conflict has also caused widespread displacement. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said more than 85,000 people had been displaced since the beginning of the month, while more than 2,000 had arrived in Djibouti.

The developments highlight the wider impact of regional conflicts on Somalia’s supply chains and efforts to maintain the steady flow of imported goods.

Mustaqbal