As the government, private sector and academic institutions
partner in scramble for blue economy goodies
By James Wakahiu
The government is appealing to universities, industry players, and
communities to come together and partner with the State so as to prepare
the next generation of maritime professionals and create jobs for the
youth.
The Principal Secretary, State Department for Shipping and Maritime
Affairs, Ministry of Mining, Blue economy and Maritime affairs,
Geoffrey Kaituko, says the maritime industry is an integral part of the
global economy, and it is evolving rapidly with new technologies,
regulations, and opportunities. “To be competitive in this space, we need
to work collaboratively,” he said.
The PS said the government has already cultivated excellent partnerships
over the past few years with international shipping lines, global maritime
organisations, and other maritime nations. “These partnerships are
designed to provide our maritime students with the critical sea time they
need for their training and eventual certification,” he said.
He was speaking during the award of accreditation of Mount Kenya
University (MKU)’s new Malindi Maritime Academy by the Kenya
Maritime Authority in Malindi town.
“As we mark World Maritime Day, the theme for this year, “Navigating the Future Together,” could
not be more relevant to our gathering. We are not only celebrating
MKU’s commitment to advancing maritime education but also a
significant step towards positioning Kenya as a global leader in the blue
economy,” he added.
Kaituko said one of the biggest challenges for maritime graduates
globally is securing sea time, a prerequisite for professional
qualification. “Through our collaborations with Germany, Japan, South
Korea, China, and other major maritime nations, we have secured
agreements that will allow Kenyan cadets, including those graduating
from institutions like this academy, to undergo their sea-time training on
international vessels,” he noted.
The PS said these opportunities are essential not only for the hands-on
experience they provide but also for the exposure to international
maritime standards and operations. The State has also strengthened our
relationships with leading shipping lines such as Maersk, CMA CGM,
Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) to ensure that Kenyan cadets
and maritime professionals are given priority for placement on their
fleets.
“These partnerships are crucial for creating sustainable career pathways
for our maritime graduates, enabling them to gain not just sea time but
also long-term employment in global maritime industries. The
Government is in discussions to create bilateral agreements with more
countries to recognize Kenya’s maritime training certifications,
specifically those issued by the Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA),” he
added. Our goal is to ensure that
Dr. Vincent Gaitho, Chairman, University Council at MKU said the
momentous occasion marks not only the expansion of the institution’s
educational horizons, but also underscores MKU’s commitment to
positioning Kenya as a global leader in maritime education and training.
“Just as Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama once navigated uncharted
waters, we embark on a new journey to navigate the future of maritime
education, innovation, and economic empowerment,” he said.
Dr Gaitho said the state-of-the-art facilities, including cutting-edge
simulators and advanced training infrastructure, are designed to provide
world-class Maritime Education and Training. “We commit and strive to
continuously offer internationally accredited programs which are
meticulously crafted to meet the global demand for qualified seafarers
and maritime professionals, ensuring our graduates are equipped to excel
in a competitive international maritime sector,” he added.
The chairman said the new Malindi Maritime Academy is strategically
established to address this challenge by creating a direct pathway to
high-demand careers in the maritime sector. “The global shortage of
qualified maritime professionals presents a significant opportunity for
Kenya to supply the workforce the world urgently needs,” he said.
The university has incorporated German and Korean languages courses
into its curriculum and many others will be added in the future. These
languages are pivotal in regions with high demand for maritime
professionals, such as Germany and South Korea.
“I am honored to hand over the facility to our esteemed Vice-Chancellor
and the university administration. I have full confidence in the
leadership and dedication of our Vice-Chancellor and management team
to utilize this facility to its fullest potential, driving initiatives that will
create meaningful employment opportunities and harness the vast
potential of the maritime industry,” he said.
Dr Gaitho challenged the university’s administrators to ensure a total
growth of the campus into a dynamic platform for job creation.
“Beyond providing exceptional education, let this institution be a catalyst for
economic growth by fostering partnerships with industry stakeholders,
encouraging entrepreneurial ventures among graduates, and
spearheading research and innovation in maritime technologies,” he
added.
He also pleaded with Kenyan business community and international
development partners and investors to explore opportunities and invest
within the maritime sector. “Traditional investments in real estate are
valuable, but the maritime industry offers vast untapped potential.
Investing in merchant ships, maritime vessels, and the broader supply
chain can yield substantial financial returns while simultaneously
driving job creation and economic diversification,” he noted.
Welcoming the PS and other gusts to the event, MKU Vice-Chancellor,
Prof Deogratius Jaganyi, said the institution has also been accredited to
offer Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW)
courses. “These internationally recognized courses will form the
foundation of the global maritime training, ensuring that seafarers meet
the highest standards of safety, competence, and professionalism,” he
noted.
He assured Kenyans that MKU is committed to developing professionals
who are versatile and well-rounded. “Whether it is training of the cadets
to navigate the seas or preparing engineers to maintain the vessels that
keep global trade moving, we are dedicated to delivering programs that
address every aspect of this complex and essential industry,” he said.
Additionally, job creation for the youth is a key priority at MKU.
Therefore, since the maritime industry offers diverse job opportunities,
the skills learned here will directly translate into well-paying and
fulfilling careers.
The VC said MKU is committed to tackling youth unemployment and
will work closely with industry partners to secure sea-time opportunities
and employment pathways for its graduates, ensuring that they are not
only well trained and adequately skilled, but also connected to global job
markets.
Prof Jaganyi said the International Maritime Organization (IMO) is the
UN Agency charged with the dual role of supporting the SDGs through
prevention of maritime and atmospheric pollution by ships as well as
ensuring shipping safety and security. “MKU’s Malindi Maritime
Academy’s role and commitment is to work hand-in-hand with the
Kenya Maritime Authority as well as the UN’s International Maritime
Organization in achieving the aforementioned responsibilities,” he said.
Beyond training, research and innovation will be critical parts of the new
academy’s work. It comes at a time when the maritime sector is
undergoing a transformation, driven by technology, environmental
sustainability concerns, and evolving global trade patterns. “We are
committed to fostering research initiatives that will help solve real-world
challenges facing the maritime industry,” said the VC.
Prof Jaganyi said apart from addressing the impact of climate change in
oceans to developing sustainable port operations and logistics solutions,
we are positioning this academy as a hub for cutting-edge maritime
research. “Collaboration with industry, government, and other
institutions will be essential partnerships that will drive innovation and
improve practices within the maritime sector,” he added.
“MKU, through the Malindi Maritime Academy, shall strive to produce
top-tier maritime professionals who are ready to make a great
contribution within the industry, both nationally and internationally in
line with the global Goals,” he concluded.
