Kenya’s Maritime Future Demands National Merchant Navy Training Board

By Andrew Mwangura 

Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com

In the azure waters that lap Kenya’s 600-kilometer coastline lies an underutilized economic frontier.

While nations across the globe harness their maritime resources for economic growth, Kenya’s blue economy potential remains largely untapped, particularly in the sphere of merchant navy development.

The establishment of a Kenya National Merchant Navy Training Board is not merely beneficial—it is imperative for the nation’s maritime advancement.

Fragmented Maritime Education

Despite hosting respected institutions like Bandari Maritime Academy (BMA), Technical University of Mombasa (TUM), and Kenya Coast National Polytechnic (KCNP), our maritime education remains disjointed. 

These institutions operate in relative isolation, without the cohesive standards and industry alignment that a national oversight body would provide.

The result is a training ecosystem that produces graduates who often lack the specific qualifications demanded by international shipping employers.

Learning from Established Models

The United Kingdom’s Merchant Navy Training Board (MNTB) offers a compelling model for Kenya to emulate. 

Established in 1937, the MNTB has evolved into the UK shipping industry’s central body for maritime education and training.

It develops and promotes high-quality training frameworks that are recognized globally, setting standards for cadet programs, officer training, and continuing professional development.

The MNTB’s tripartite structure—bringing together shipping companies, seafarer unions, and educational institutions—has created a resilient training ecosystem that adapts to industry changes while maintaining educational rigor.

This collaborative approach has enabled the UK to maintain its position as a world leader in maritime training despite fierce global competition.

The MNTB’s ability to liaise directly with regulatory bodies ensures that UK certifications remain internationally respected and sought after.

Sea of Opportunity

The statistics tell a compelling story of untapped potential for Kenya: the global merchant fleet comprises over 100,000 ships, including approximately 5,400 container vessels, 17,000 bulk carriers, and 7,400 oil tankers.

The cruise industry alone operates more than 300 vessels worldwide, each requiring hundreds of crew members across various specializations.

The offshore energy sector presents further opportunities, with roughly 1,300 offshore oil and gas platforms active globally, 170 floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels, and approximately 3,800 offshore supply vessels supporting these operations.

Seafarer Shortage

According to the latest BIMCO/ICS Seafarer Workforce Report, the global maritime industry faces a projected shortage of 26,000 qualified officers by 2026, with certain specializations experiencing even more acute deficits.

While the industry employs approximately 1.89 million seafarers globally, demand continues to outpace supply, particularly for specialized roles like electro-technical officers and those with experience in new green technologies.

This gap represents a tremendous opportunity for Kenya to position itself as a source of well-trained maritime professionals.

Countries that have developed robust training frameworks, such as the Philippines, India, and Ukraine, have created significant economic opportunities for their citizens while addressing global industry needs.

Economic Imperative

Kenya loses millions of dollars annually in potential revenue by failing to adequately prepare its seafarers for global employment. 

While Kenyan seafarers occasionally find positions with prestigious lines like Royal Caribbean and MSC Shipping, these opportunities represent a fraction of what’s possible.

Our neighbors in the Philippines have demonstrated how a robust merchant navy training program can create a significant foreign exchange earner, with their seafarers remitting billions annually.

Industry Alignment and Representation

The proposed composition of the Kenya National Merchant Navy Training Board—incorporating representatives from Kenya National Shipping Line, Kenya Maritime Authority, relevant government departments, shipowners like Lamu Shipping, ALBA, AMGECO, SECO and Alpha Logistics, and crucially, experienced Master Mariners and Marine Engineers—would ensure training aligns with actual industry needs.

This multi-stakeholder approach would bridge the longstanding gap between academic training and practical seafaring requirements. 

Currently, our maritime graduates often require extensive additional training before being considered for international positions—an inefficiency a national board could readily address.

International Compliance and Recognition

Maritime training is uniquely international in its requirements. The Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) Convention sets global benchmarks that must be met for our seafarers to be employable worldwide.

A dedicated national board would ensure Kenya’s training programs maintain rigorous compliance with these evolving international standards.

Creating Maritime Career Pipeline

Perhaps most importantly, a National Merchant Navy Training Board would establish a clear career pathway for Kenyan youth interested in maritime careers.

The current system’s fragmentation leaves aspiring seafarers navigating complicated waters without a chart. A national board could create standardized progression routes from entry-level training through to specialized maritime qualifications.

Research and Development

A properly constituted board would not only standardize training but also foster maritime research and innovation. Kenya’s maritime challenges—from port efficiency to coastal security—require homegrown solutions.

A national board could coordinate research efforts across institutions and industry partners.

The establishment of a Kenya National Merchant Navy Training Board represents a relatively low-cost intervention with potentially tremendous returns.

With Kenya’s strategic position along critical shipping lanes and our ambitious blue economy initiatives, we cannot afford to neglect the human capital development that a national board would facilitate.

The time for action is now. The government must prioritize the legislative framework to establish this board, ensuring it has both the mandate and resources to transform our maritime training landscape.

Our coastline has always represented opportunity—let us now create the institutional framework to fully realize its promise through our greatest resource: the Kenyan people. 

The writer is a Maritime Affairs Analyst.