BY John Ndegwa / BMA
The Kenyan Government is accelerating efforts to unlock sea time opportunities and boost employability for Kenyan seafarers in the global Maritime sector.
Through coordinated efforts by the Office of the President, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the State Department for Shipping and Maritime Affairs, and the Office of the Attorney General, Kenya is in the process of operationalizing existing Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with 18 countries while pursuing new agreements with an additional 18 nations.
These initiatives are designed to open up vast opportunities within the Maritime and Blue Economy space, positioning Kenyan seafarers competitively in the global job market.
This commitment was underscored during a high-level tour of Bandari Maritime Academy (BMA) by a government delegation led by Deputy Head of Public Service, Amos Gathecha, accompanied by the Principal Secretary for Shipping and Maritime Affairs, Aden Millah.
The delegation was received by BMA Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Eric Katana, before being taken on a tour of the Academy’s state-of-the-art training facilities.
In his remarks, Gathecha lauded the Academy for its dedication to producing highly skilled seafarers and pledged continued government support to strengthen Maritime training and International placement opportunities.
PS Millah emphasized the government’s commitment to removing barriers that limit Kenyan seafarers from securing placements abroad.
He noted that the signing and activation of MoUs with foreign governments and shipping lines will be a game changer in creating thousands of job opportunities for Kenyan youth in the maritime sector.
Dr. Katana reaffirmed BMA’s readiness to partner with government and industry stakeholders in equipping trainees with globally recognized competencies, stressing that the Academy remains committed to its mandate as a Center of Excellence for Maritime and Blue Economy training.
