By Abdullahi Salad - Reporter
Somalia, July 19 2026 – Puntland authorities, traders and Dubai-based ports operator DP World have reached an agreement to end a dispute over new service charges recently introduced at Bosaso Port, which disrupted commercial activity, officials said on Saturday.
The agreement followed talks involving the Puntland government, representatives of the business community and DP World after traders objected to the new port charges, saying they would increase the cost of imports and affect business.
Mohamed Abdi Waberi, deputy chairman of the Puntland Chamber of Commerce, said the dispute had been resolved and commercial activity had returned to normal.
"The dispute and the misunderstandings between traders and the port have come to an end," Waaberi said. "Trade is open and goods can now move normally through the port."
Abdirahman Abdullahi Ali, mayor of Bosaso, said the negotiations had resolved differences between the Puntland government and traders over the newly introduced port service.
"Trade is functioning, the roads are open and there are no closures," he said, calling on residents to preserve peace and stability.
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The governor of Bari region, Mohamed Ibrahim, said the agreement was the result of several days of dialogue involving a ministerial committee, regional and district authorities and business representatives.
Puntland Security Minister Ibrahim Ismail Artan also confirmed the settlement, saying the parties had resolved the dispute and that port operations would continue as planned.
Neither Puntland nor DP World disclosed the terms of the agreement or said whether changes had been made to the disputed fees.
The settlement comes days after Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni said Bosaso Port would remain open despite traders' objections to the new service charges and urged dialogue to resolve the dispute.
Bosaso Port is Puntland's main commercial gateway and a key hub for imports and exports in northeastern Somalia. DP World operates the facility under a long-term concession agreement with the Puntland administration and has invested in expanding and modernizing the port in recent years.