State Department for Shipping and Maritime Affairs Principal Secretary Shadrack Mwadime has sensitised young people to work with the government and see the potential that is available in the blue economy space
Speaking during a Mombasa youth dialogue on maritime and shipping industry fair, Mwadime said the government intends to create employment opportunities for the young people thus have to ensure they are engaged and fully understand the available opportunities in the blue economy sector.
He said there are jobs available in the international labour market on the shipping and maritime sectors as in accordance with the statistics; adding that at least 5,000 seafarers are needed to work in international shipping lines.
“We are sensitising those in high school in terms of the relevant courses they can take if they want to pursue maritime careers. Other than technical courses in maritime studies, the graduates on other courses can be absorbed in the shipping lines as long as they study Standards of Training and Certification of Watch-keeping (STCW) course, which is basic to all those working in the cruise ships,” he said.
The PS noted that resources available within the country’s Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ), pharmaceutical, minerals, green energy, are areas where young people can venture into in collaboration with research institutes and be able to earn a living.
He said, not only that, there are other onshore jobs like clearing and forwarding, transport logistics, ship chandelling.
“All these opportunities available we have to interest our youth to see the potential that is there in blue economy which is massive. If we can partner with youth development fund to give young people loans and seed capital, then they can be able to venture into these businesses and be self-employed,” he added.
Mwadime said the ministry plans to partner with universities and other educational institutes to have business hubs that can be able to nurture young people aspiring to pursue maritime careers.
“The economy of Mombasa at some point was being run by seafarers, so we have models that we can actually emulate and show the young people that there are those who have made it through the blue economy space,” he said.
Chairperson Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) Hamisi Mwaguya said that the authority is working to spearhead the government objective of utilising resources in the blue economy to revive the country’s economy.
He said the authority is carrying out port state control that is to inspect vessels that dock at the port adding that plans are underway to train more people to do the function.
Mwaguya said there will be a conference on carbotage in November to discuss ship ownership and shipping in Africa in a bid to encourage local ship dealing, ship repair and construction of vessels to happen locally.
“It used to happen before but because of incentives from other countries we were left to be very uncompetitive. We are now taking back our space and open up those opportunities to Kenyans to invest,” he said.
According to Mwaguya the government spends approximately Sh88 trillion to pay sea freight to foreign owned vessels adding that if they build capacity to local companies to carry some of the cargo, the government will retain at least Sh14 trillion.
He added that KMA plans on building capacity for trainers starting with Bandari Maritime Academy where they have invited private investors to come on board and invest on trainers.
“The important bit is to set up more institutions where we can offer these trainings. We will also ensure we train the ones who were trained using restructured sort of training which is short term,” he added.
By Chari Suche
