Kenyan Maritime Affairs in collaboration with Kenya’s Bandari Maritime Academy is set to train 10 cadets through a new program by Maersk Ltd with an aim of strengthening maritime education.
The training opportunities for the 10 cadets were secured by The Principal Secretary (PS) Shipping and Maritime Affairs, Geoffrey Kaituko during his visit to Copenhagen Denmark recently, and will be done yearly onboard the Maersk Vessels for a period of 12 months
Kaituko stated that the bilateral relationship with Denmark has been strengthened since it is one of the positive outcomes from the 2021 MoU
The PS added that the MoU awaits implementation, making the agreement with Bandari Maritime Academy, to strengthen maritime education and training.
He stressed that Kenya’s Maritime cadets will benefit from a Sea-Time training that is set to equip them with vital skills ahead of their employment in one of the prime shipping companies in the world.
“Sea time is one of the Mandatory requirements for cadets before gaining employment on the vessel and has proven to be a challenge for cadets in the country since Kenya lacks national merchant vessel fleets,” he said.
The PS made the remarks on Tuesday during a press briefing on Acquired Sea-Time Training by Maersk Ltd for Kenya Cadets in Nairobi where he insisted that it is an opportunity for Kenyans to be trained at sea and be absorbed by the shipping line and other companies which will open up opportunities as the programme will be handled on an annual basis.
He noted that the blue economy is among the key emerging sectors that will grow the Country’s economy.
The main objectives of the visit according to Kaituko will include participating in a high level green shipping and de-carbonization conference, a visit to the Danish Maritime Authority, a visit to the Maersk headquarters and a visit to maritime institutions for collaboration with Kenyan Institutions.
Kaituko disclosed that they have identified the area of Danish Maritime Authority which will work with Kenya Maritime Authority to strengthen the dual mandate on flag state and port state control, through the improved service and inspection of Vessels from Kenyan ship surveyors to enhance the capacity of Kenya Ship surveyors and Inspection.
“Inspection is the cornerstone of safety at sea,” he proclaimed, adding that when there is strong inspection, the vessels will eliminate the unworthy vessels, and will be removed from the waters.
Other areas of focus include green shipping and de-carbonization where Kenya and Denmark have agreed to reduce the Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG) so as to achieve the 5 per cent to zero emissions of GHG.
He cited the reason being climate change which is a major problem and ships have been identified as emitters of carbon dioxide that are responsible for global warming and climate change.
The PS mentioned that the green-shipping and de-carbonization conference will focus on the implementation and adoption of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) strategy and regulation on the greenhouse effect in the shipping industry to reduce carbon emissions.
Further, Kaituko announced that the country will partner with IMO and Denmark to host the 2nd African Region Conference on Green shipping on 6th and 7th of February, 2025 since Kenya has been a leading voice on matters on climate change and its effect on African countries.
He noted the importance of his visit to SIMAC, a Danish Maritime institution in southern Denmark that offers all types of training programs in the maritime sector, and the resultant knowledge he believes will help training institutions in Kenya to level up.
The PS added that the SIMAC instructor has been supporting the Kenya Navy Training College with training on various maritime courses and discussed a possibility of them entering a formal agreement with the Bandari Maritime Academy for certain advanced courses.
“Kenyans currently in the maritime sectors are forced to go to other countries to train in particular courses. It is our wish and hope that the country will be able to develop the capacity required for the courses to be offered locally,” expressed Kaituko.
He noted that the discussion between SIMAC and Bandari Academy has begun and it will be a game changer for Bandari.
