Bosaso (WDN)— A commercial vessel carrying food supplies for Puntland-based traders caught fire late Wednesday night while docked at the Port of Bosaso, the capital of Bari region.

The vessel was reportedly chartered by a local trading company known as JAABO. Company representatives confirmed that while the fire destroyed part of the shipment, a portion of the foodstuffs was successfully recovered thanks to a swift emergency response.

According to eyewitnesses, the vessel—Faa’isa Suldaan—had recently arrived from India with a consignment of food products bound for local businesses. The fire erupted before the cargo could be offloaded, causing significant damage.

Firefighting teams worked through the night to contain the blaze, ultimately preventing it from spreading to nearby ships or infrastructure. By Thursday morning, the fire was fully extinguished, and a damage assessment was underway. No casualties have been reported.

This is not the first maritime fire at Bosaso Port. The most notable incident occurred on March 19, 2018, when a vessel transporting goods from Dubai caught fire near the harbor. The blaze, believed to have originated in the engine room, resulted in the deaths of two crew members and injuries to two others. The Puntland Marine Police Force (PMPF) rescued the injured sailors—both Indian nationals—and transported them to Bosaso General Hospital. The ship’s entire cargo, which included fuel, vehicles, and foodstuffs, was destroyed.

The latest incident has reignited concerns among port users and local business owners over safety protocols and emergency preparedness at the busy commercial hub. Port authorities have not yet released an official statement regarding the cause of the fire or the extent of the losses

WardheerNews