By Zakaria Soohoyde - Reporter
GALMUDUG, Somalia, 3 October 2026 — Authorities in Galmudug have detained a vessel accused of operating unlawfully in its waters after finding its tracking system had been switched off.
Galmudug’s Ministry of Ports and Maritime Transport, working with Somalia’s maritime defence and coast guard forces, conducted the maritime surveillance and security operation off the Galmudug coast.
Officials said the vessel’s Automatic Identification System (AIS), which transmits a vessel’s identity, location and movement, had been turned off, making it more difficult to track.
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Seven foreign nationals were on board. All seven are being investigated by relevant authorities.
Maritime security agencies are examining the vessel’s identity, its country of registration, the purpose of its voyage and the cargo it was carrying, as well as why the AIS system was switched off.
The ministry said it and maritime security agencies have been conducting regular patrols in recent days to strengthen protection of Galmudug’s waters and prevent piracy and illegal maritime operations along the coastline.