Kenya Starts Green Shipping Transition
Eleanor Chriswel, from the Global Maritime Forum (Photo By Mitchelle Wanga)
By Victoria Tuva & Michelle Wanga
Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com
Kenya Maritime Authority, the IMO GreenVoyage2050 Project, the International PtX Hub, and the Global Maritime Forum held a national workshop on accelerating the green shipping transition on May 13, 2025 in Nairobi.
The workshop aimed to review Kenya’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the shipping sector in order to mitigate climate change.
Speaking on behalf of the KMA acting director general Isaiah Nakoru, the maritime safety director Julius Koech emphasized the importance of maritime trade to Kenya’s economy noting that over 90% of the country’s imports and exports are handled through seaborne transport.
“The maritime sector’s contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions stands at about 3%,” he said while highlighting Kenya’s support for the 2023 IMO GHG strategy that aims to achieve net-zero emissions from international shipping by or around 2050.
“Kenya stands in full support of this global initiative,” he said. “We are committed to transforming our maritime industry through decarbonization and climate-resilient practices.”
During the workshop, the preliminary findings of the ‘Feasibility Study on the Establishment of a Green Shipping Corridor in Kenya’ conducted by the Global Maritime Forum under the Green Shipping Corridor Project, was launched.
Addressing stakeholders, Eleanor Chriswel, from the Global Maritime Forum said: “The feasibility study explores Kenya’s potential to produce Power-to-X (PtX) fuels, including green hydrogen and ammonia, assesses their viability for use in the shipping sector and establishment of a green bunkering hub with the Kenyan ports.”
“It will inform national policy and contribute to accelerating the green shipping transition, which supports developing countries in meeting their climate commitments in the maritime sector.”
The workshop also highlighted Kenya’s ongoing efforts to develop a national action plan (NAP) for maritime decarbonization and to domesticate Annex VI of the MARPOL convention which addresses the prevention of air pollution from ships.
The workshop drew participation of key stakeholders from government, industry, academia, and international organizations who expected to explore pathways toward a low-carbon and climate-resilient maritime sector in Kenya.
They engaged in lively discussions on policy, infrastructure, and financing mechanisms required to facilitate the transition to zero and near-zero carbon marine fuels.
Participants also deliberated on Kenya’s strategic advantage in renewable energy resources and its potential to become a regional hub for green fuel bunkering and maritime innovation.
The sessions served as a platform for knowledge exchange, stakeholder engagement, and collective action toward sustainable shipping.
As global momentum for decarbonization grows, Kenya is positioning itself at the forefront of green maritime solutions, laying the groundwork for a cleaner and more competitive blue economy.
