Bandari Maritime Academy (BMA) has welcomed representatives from Multimodal Shipping Company, led by its East Africa and Southern Africa Representative, Mikio Oyama, for discussions on a potential partnership aimed at strengthening employment opportunities for Kenyan seafarers.
Representing the BMA Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr. Eric Katana, Senior Principal Trainer I in Nautical Science (Rtd), Major Franklyne Toniok, welcomed the proposed partnership, noting that BMA is keen to expand collaborations beyond training to create more employment opportunities for its graduates.
“Most of our partnerships are focused on training, but we look forward to going beyond training and employment so that Kenya can become a seafarer hub in the East African region,” said Major Toniok.
Major Toniok identified key areas for collaboration, including opportunities for ratings, simulator upgrades, and the employment and placement of Kenyan seafarers with international shipping companies.
BMA hosts a Full Bridge Mission Simulator and a Cargo Crane Simulator, which provide cadets with practical, hands-on training to prepare them for careers in the maritime industry.
Speaking during the engagement, Mr. Mikio Oyama, said the company is exploring opportunities to engage Kenyan seafarers, citing the quality of cadets trained at BMA.
“I know Bandari Maritime Academy is the best because I have employees from Uganda who studied at this institution,” said Oyama.
Senteu Tutui, Assistant Director, Maritime Education and Training (MET) / Training and Certification at the Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA), said the maritime regulator looks forward to the proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which is expected to strengthen employment opportunities for Kenyan seafarers.
The proposed partnership is expected to strengthen the link between maritime training and the shipping industry, providing BMA graduates with increased access to employment opportunities locally and internationally.
Present during the engagement were BMA Senior Career Services Officer Samuel Dube, Partnership and Marketing Officer Fatuma Mzee, and members of the Bandari Maritime Academy Students Association Council, led by its Chairperson, Brian Otieno.
