Provision of Maritime Transportation Services for 28,000 Metric Tons of Ukraine-Origin Grain in Bulk

SOMALI DISASTER MANAGEMENT AGENCY (SoDMA)

FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF SOMALIA

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI)

Provision of Maritime Transportation Services for 28,000 Metric Tons of Ukraine-Origin Grain in Bulk.

From Port of Odessa, Ukraine to Port of Mogadishu, Somalia.

EOI Reference No.	SoDMA/EOI/GRN-TRANS/02/2026
Date of Issue	10-May-2026
Submission Deadline	24 May 2026 at 12:00 noon Mogadishu Local Time.
Procuring Entity	Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA)
Submission Email	procurement.head@sodma.gov.so
Address	Airport Road, Wadajir, Mogadishu, Somalia

1. Invitation for Expression of Interest

The Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA) hereby invites eligible, qualified, and experienced maritime transportation service providers to submit an Expression of Interest for the transportation of approximately 28,000 metric tons, subject to a tolerance of +/- 5%, of Ukraine-origin grain in bulk from the Port of Odessa, Ukraine to the Port of Mogadishu, Somalia.

This EOI is issued for publication purposes to identify and prequalify competent service providers with demonstrated technical, operational, financial, legal, and compliance capacity to deliver the required shipment safely, efficiently, and in accordance with applicable national and international requirements.

2. Institutional Background

The Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA) is the national institution of the Federal Republic of Somalia responsible for disaster preparedness, emergency response coordination, humanitarian assistance, disaster risk management, and resilience-building. In support of national food security and emergency response priorities, SoDMA intends to facilitate the movement of bulk grain to Somalia.

The transportation of this consignment requires a reliable maritime logistics partner with proven experience in bulk grain shipping, vessel chartering, international port operations, shipment documentation, and risk management across relevant maritime routes.

3. Purpose of this EOI

• To identify suitably qualified companies capable of transporting the required bulk grain cargo from Ukraine to Somalia.
• To establish a shortlist of eligible service providers for a subsequent procurement process, which may include an RFQ, RFP, tender, or direct negotiation in accordance with applicable procurement procedures.
• To assess market capacity, vessel availability, route experience, compliance readiness, and operational capability for the proposed shipment.

4. Summary of the Required Services

Item	Description
Procuring Entity	Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA)
Service Required	Maritime transportation of bulk grain cargo
Commodity	Ukraine-origin grain
Estimated Quantity	Approximately 28,000 metric tons, subject to a tolerance of +/- 5% depending on vessel capacity, loading conditions, and final cargo availability.
Cargo Type	Bulk cargo
Origin Port	Port of Odessa, Ukraine
Destination Port	Port of Mogadishu, Somalia
Mode of Transport	Ocean freight by suitable bulk carrier vessel
Expected Shipment Window	45–60 calendar days after contract award / purchase order issuance
Language of Submission	English

5. Indicative Scope of Work

1. Provide, nominate, or charter a suitable bulk carrier vessel capable of transporting approximately 28,000 MT of grain.
2. Ensure that the vessel is seaworthy, grain-fit, properly classified, insured, and compliant with applicable maritime conventions and port requirements.
3. Coordinate loading operations at the Port of Odessa, including liaison with port authorities, agents, surveyors, cargo owners, and relevant regulatory bodies.
4. Ensure proper hold cleanliness, cargo protection, cargo safety, ventilation, fumigation coordination where required, and grain quality preservation during transit.
5. Transport the cargo by sea from Odessa, Ukraine to Mogadishu, Somalia using an appropriate and compliant maritime route.
6. Coordinate discharge operations at the Port of Mogadishu, including agency, port, customs, surveyor, and receiving-party coordination.
7. Prepare, obtain, or support all necessary shipping, customs, sanitary, phytosanitary, port clearance, insurance, and cargo documentation.
8. Provide regular operational updates, voyage tracking, exception reporting, and documentation status reports to SoDMA.
9. Manage operational risks, including port delays, demurrage exposure, war-risk or security-related issues, piracy-risk areas, route disruption, and other maritime contingencies.
10. Ensure full compliance with applicable laws, sanctions requirements, anti-corruption standards, maritime safety obligations, and environmental regulations.

6. Minimum Eligibility Requirements

• Legal registration as a shipping company, vessel owner, charterer, maritime logistics provider, freight forwarder, or related transport service provider.
• Demonstrated experience in international maritime transportation of bulk cargo.
• Proven experience in transporting grain, cereals, food commodities, or agricultural bulk cargo is strongly preferred.
• Access to a suitable bulk carrier vessel or proven ability to charter one within the required shipment window.
• Valid business registration, licenses, maritime authorizations, and operational approvals, where applicable.
• Adequate financial, technical, and human resource capacity to perform the assignment.
• Ability to coordinate operations involving Ukraine, Somalia, and relevant transit routes, including Black Sea, Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Indian Ocean, and East African port operations.
• No current sanctions listing, debarment, blacklisting, insolvency, liquidation, or unresolved legal matter that may materially affect contract performance.

7. Technical Capacity Requirements

7.1 Vessel Suitability

• Bulk carrier suitable for grain transportation and adequate for the proposed cargo quantity.
• Clean, dry, well-maintained, and grain-fit cargo holds.
• Valid classification, statutory certificates, P&I cover, and vessel insurance.
• Adequate hatch covers, ventilation arrangements, and cargo protection measures.
• Disclosure of vessel name, IMO number, flag, year built, class, deadweight tonnage, cargo hold capacity, current position, and estimated availability, where known.

7.2 Operational and Route Capability

• Experience in coordinating port operations, loading, discharge, agency services, surveys, customs, and documentation.
• Ability to manage routes involving the Black Sea region, Red Sea/Gulf of Aden corridor, Indian Ocean, and East African ports.
• Capacity to provide timely reporting, shipment tracking, and escalation of operational risks.
• Capacity to manage security, war-risk, piracy-risk, port congestion, and demurrage-related issues.

7.3 Documentation and Compliance Capability

• Bill of Lading and cargo manifest.
• Charter party agreement or freight contract documentation.
• Vessel certificates and evidence of insurance/P&I coverage.
• Hold cleanliness or inspection certificates.
• Certificate of origin, phytosanitary certificate, fumigation certificate, and related cargo quality documents where required.
• Export, import, customs, port clearance, and other regulatory documents required by the competent authorities.

8. Required EOI Submission Package

8.1 Company Information

• Company name, registered address, country of registration, and year of establishment.
• Name, title, email, and telephone number of the authorized contact person.
• Company profile describing core business activities, fleet/chartering capacity, and logistics experience.
• Ownership structure and corporate group information, where applicable.

8.2 Legal and Administrative Documents

• Certificate of incorporation or business registration.
• Valid business license and tax registration certificate, where applicable.
• Relevant maritime, shipping, freight forwarding, or logistics licenses and approvals.
• Power of attorney or authorization for the person signing the EOI, if applicable.

8.3 Relevant Experience

Interested companies should provide evidence of at least three similar assignments completed within the last five years. Each reference should include the client name, cargo type, quantity, origin, destination, year of execution, role performed, vessel type used, and client reference contact where available.

8.4 Financial and Insurance Capacity

• Most recent audited financial statements or financial capacity statement, where available.
• Bank reference or evidence of ability to mobilize resources for the shipment.
• Insurance coverage details, including P&I cover and other relevant risk coverage.
• Statement confirming ability to manage operational costs, mobilization, and voyage-related obligations.

8.5 Compliance Declarations

• Declaration that the company is not subject to sanctions, trade restrictions, debarment, or blacklisting.
• Declaration that the company is not bankrupt, insolvent, or under liquidation.
• Declaration of no involvement in fraud, bribery, corruption, collusion, coercion, or serious professional misconduct.
• Disclosure of any actual, potential, or perceived conflict of interest.
• Commitment to comply with SoDMA procurement requirements, applicable laws, and ethical standards.

9. Evaluation and Shortlisting

• EOI submissions will be reviewed to determine whether interested companies possess the required legal eligibility, technical capacity, relevant experience, vessel access, financial capability, and compliance readiness. The assessment may include document verification, sanctions screening, reference checks, and requests for clarification.

Evaluation Area	Key Considerations
Legal eligibility	Registration, licensing, authorization, and compliance status
Relevant experience	Bulk maritime transport experience and similar completed assignments
Grain cargo expertise	Experience with grain, cereals, food commodities, or agricultural bulk cargo
Vessel access	Availability, suitability, certification, insurance, and readiness of vessel capacity
Operational capability	Loading, voyage, discharge, documentation, reporting, and route management capacity
Financial capacity	Ability to mobilize and execute the assignment
Risk management	Security, war-risk, piracy-risk, delay, demurrage, and contingency arrangements
References	Quality and relevance of past performance references

Only shortlisted companies may be invited to participate in the next stage of the procurement process. SoDMA reserves the right to determine the most appropriate procurement method following the EOI process.

10. Submission Instructions

Interested companies must submit their EOI in English. The submission must be clearly marked as follows:

“Expression of Interest – Transportation of 28,000 MT Ukraine Grain from Port of Odessa to Port of Mogadishu”

Submission To	Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA)
Address	Airport Road, Wadajir, Mogadishu, Somalia
Email	procurement.head@sodma.gov.so
Telephone	+252-612021222
Attention	Procurement Department
Deadline	24 May 2026 at 12:00 noon Mogadishu Local Time.

EOI submissions should be submitted in PDF format by email and, where required by SoDMA, in hard copy. Late submissions may not be considered.

11. Clarification Requests

Requests for clarification must be submitted in writing to the Procurement Department before the clarification deadline stated in the publication notice.

Clarification Contact	Procurement Department, Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA)
Email	procurement.head@sodma.gov.so
Telephone	+252-612021222
Clarification Deadline	17-May-2026 at 12:00 PM Mogadishu Local Time

SoDMA may issue written clarifications or amendments where necessary. Any clarification or amendment issued by SoDMA shall form part of this EOI.

12. Important Notice to Interested Companies

1. This EOI is a market-sounding and shortlisting exercise and does not constitute a request for financial proposal, contract award, or purchase order.
2. Submission of an EOI does not guarantee shortlisting, selection, contract negotiation, or contract award.
3. SoDMA reserves the right to accept or reject any submission, cancel the process, amend the requirements, or reissue the EOI without incurring liability.
4. SoDMA may request additional documents, clarifications, interviews, presentations, or due diligence information from any interested company.
5. All costs incurred in preparing and submitting the EOI shall be borne solely by the interested company.
6. False, incomplete, misleading, or fraudulent information may result in rejection or disqualification.
7. SoDMA shall conduct due diligence, including sanctions screening, reference checks, and verification of submitted documents.
8. Participation in this process is subject to applicable procurement laws, regulations, policies, and procedures of the Federal Republic of Somalia and SoDMA.

13. Ethics, Integrity, and Conflict of Interest

SoDMA requires all companies participating in this process to observe the highest standards of ethics, integrity, transparency, and professionalism. Interested companies must not engage in bribery, corruption, fraud, collusion, coercion, obstruction, or any practice that may compromise the fairness or integrity of the process.

Interested companies must disclose any actual, potential, or perceived conflict of interest. Failure to disclose such conflict may result in disqualification.

14. Confidentiality

Information submitted by interested companies will be used for evaluation, shortlisting, procurement planning, verification, and due diligence purposes. SoDMA may share relevant information with authorized government bodies, procurement committees, auditors, legal advisors, donors, oversight institutions, or other competent authorities where required.

15. Declaration by Interested Company

The undersigned confirms that the company is interested in being considered for the provision of maritime transportation services for approximately 28,000 MT of Ukraine-origin grain in bulk from the Port of Odessa, Ukraine to the Port of Mogadishu, Somalia. The undersigned further confirms that all information submitted is true, accurate, complete, and not misleading.

Company Name
Country of Registration
Authorized Representative
Title/Position
Email
Telephone
Signature and Date
Company Stamp

16. Issued By

Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA)
Airport Road, Wadajir, Mogadishu, Somalia
Email: procurement.head@sodma.gov.so
Telephone: +252-612021222

Authorized for publication by the Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA)

EOI Provision of Maritime Transportation Services for 28,000 Metric Tons of Ukraine-Origin Grain

 

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