Kenya is positioning itself to benefit from rising global demand for maritime professionals after securing labour agreements expected to create more than 3,000 overseas job opportunities for local seafarers.
The Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) said the deals signed with Saudi Arabia, Singapore and South Korea are expected to widen employment prospects for Kenyan seafarers as the international shipping industry grapples with a shortage of skilled personnel.
Speaking during the Kenya Day of the Seafarer celebrations, KMA Director General Omae Nyarandi said the agreements represent a major step towards integrating more Kenyans into the global maritime labour market.
“We have signed agreements with Saudi Arabia, Singapore and, most recently, South Korea. These three agreements alone require us to supply more than 3,000 seafarers,” Mr Nyarandi said.
He said implementation frameworks are being finalized, with deployment of the first group of seafarers expected within the next three months.
Mr Nyarandi also announced that government financial support for maritime cadets will resume in the new financial year beginning in July after funding had been suspended, a move expected to ease the burden on trainees pursuing careers at sea.
Even as the industry welcomed the employment opportunities, maritime stakeholders said reforms are needed to ensure Kenyan seafarers are adequately protected and prepared to compete internationally.
Kenya Seafarers Union Secretary General Atie Swaleh Ramadhan called for the introduction of a standardized wage structure, saying inconsistent pay has exposed many seafarers to exploitation.
She also urged the government to tighten oversight of recruitment agencies by introducing a joint clearance certificate issued by KMA and the union to improve accountability and curb human trafficking.
“We need a clearance certificate issued jointly by the Kenya Maritime Authority and the union so we can track where our seafarers are employed, who has hired them and the conditions under which they are working,” she said.
Ms Ramadhan further appealed for the establishment of a dedicated education fund for maritime cadets, noting that financial constraints continue to force many trainees to abandon their studies before qualifying.
Industry leaders are also committed to working together through a unified committee to champion employment, professional development, and better working conditions for Kenyan seafarers.
Captain Munga Peter, Chairman of the Seafarers Union of Kenya, said collaboration between government and industry players would be key to unlocking more employment opportunities.
“Our biggest concern is employment. Seafarers want jobs, and we already know the solutions. We simply need support and collaboration to unlock these opportunities,” he said.
Kenya Ships Agents Association Chief Executive Officer Elijah Mbaru said the country must strengthen maritime training and align local institutions with international standards if it is to take advantage of growing opportunities in the global shipping industry.
He noted that although about 19,000 seafarers are registered with KMA, only around 6,000 are actively serving, with nearly half of them working as officers.
According to Mr Mbaru, international shipping organisations project a global shortage of about 114,000 ship officers by 2030, presenting Kenya with an opportunity to increase its share of the global maritime workforce through investment in quality training and internationally recognised certification.
Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Second Assistant Secretary General Caroline Ruto pledged the federation’s support for the sector, urging stakeholders to improve the welfare of all seafarers, particularly women, while recognizing the maritime industry’s growing contribution to Kenya’s economy.
