KMA Orders Removal of Abandoned Vessels in Indian Ocean Waters
By Harrison Kivisu
Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com
Kenya Maritime Authority has ordered for the removal of two marine motor vessels abandoned in the Indian Ocean in Malindi, Kilifi County.
Julius Koech, KMA director general, in the Gazette Notice, dated Friday, October 25, 2024 declared that the vessels were an obstruction and danger to navigation in the sea and a threat to the environment.
The notice reads: “A declaration is issued under section 323 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 2009 that the two marine motor vessels, previously known as AHADI 001 and AHADI 002 are abandoned on the coast at Malindi, Kilifi County, and are an obstruction and danger to navigation and a threat to the marine environment.”
The two vessels were allegedly abandoned by foreign tycoons at Malindi Jetty in 2020 and have been an eyesore to the community ever since posing environmental and navigation dangers to both human and marine life.
But KMA says it has taken possession of the vessels and shall remove them in accordance with the set laws in Kenya.
Under the Merchant shipping Act, 2009 KMA has the powers to remove any abandoned vessel within the terrestrial waters.
“The Director-General has taken possession of the said vessels and shall remove them per section 322 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 2009 and other applicable laws,” says Koech, through the statement shared in newsrooms.
Kenya’s law states that if a ship is in violation of a section, the owner is considered to have committed an offense and may be liable to a fine.
The KMA is a statutory authority that regulates, coordinates, and oversees maritime affairs in Kenya. The KMA was established under the Kenya Maritime Act 2006.
Maritime law, also known as admiralty law, is a set of laws, conventions, and treaties that govern nautical matters, such as shipping and offenses that occur on open water.
The Law of the Sea is a set of international rules that govern the use of the oceans and seas.
