How Kenya’s Pact with Korea Stands to Benefit us Locally and Regionally
President Ruto share a light moment with his Korea counter part President Lee Jae-myung. (Photo/Courtesy)
By Andrew Mwangura
Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com
A ceremonial guard of honour greeted South Korean maritime education experts as the visited the Technical University of Mombasa (TUM) this week. This event represents more than diplomatic courtesy; it signals Kenya’s strategic recognition of an industry in crisis and an opportunity to position itself as a regional leader in addressing one of the most pressing challenges facing global trade.
The partnership between TUM’s Institute of Maritime and Seafaring Studies and the Korea Institute of Maritime & Fisheries Technology (KIMFT) comes at a critical juncture. The global maritime industry faces what experts describe as a seafarer shortage at a 17-year high, with the International Chamber of Shipping projecting a shortfall of 90,000 trained seafarers by 2026. This shortage threatens the very backbone of international commerce, with the world’s 1.9 million seafarers keeping global supply chains moving across increasingly strained networks.
The numbers paint a stark picture of an industry under pressure. Currently, there is a global shortfall of approximately 26,240 officers, a gap that continues to widen as demand outpaces supply. Before the war in Ukraine, Russian and Ukrainian seafarers comprised nearly 15% of the global workforce—a supply source now severely disrupted. The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated crew shortages, creating a perfect storm that has left ship operators scrambling for qualified personnel.
Learning from Success Stories
Kenya’s partnership with South Korea is particularly well-timed, as it draws from a nation with proven maritime expertise. South Korea’s shipbuilding industry is among world’s most advanced, and its maritime education system has consistently produced skilled seafarers who serve on vessels globally. This partnership mirrors successful South-South cooperation models that have emerged across Africa and Asia.
The South African International Maritime Institute (SAIMI) offers a compelling regional example of how strategic maritime education investments can drive blue economy growth. SAIMI’s focus on skills development, education, training, and research has positioned South Africa as a continental leader in maritime expertise.
Similarly, Australia’s maritime partnerships across Southeast Asia have demonstrated how technology transfer and capacity building can create sustainable maritime sectors that serve both regional and global markets.
The Indian Ocean Commission’s success in coordinating maritime security and education initiatives among small island states provides another model for regional cooperation. These partnerships have shown that when African nations collaborate strategically, they can leverage their coastal advantages to become significant players in global maritime networks.
Strategic Importance for East Africa
The timing of this Korea-Kenya initiative aligns perfectly with Africa’s broader economic transformation. Currently, goods exported and imported from Africa account for just 7% and 5% of global trade totals respectively, compared to Asia’s commanding 41% and 62%.
That disparity represents enormous untapped potential, particularly as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) promises to drive billions of dollars in additional trade across the continent.
East Africa, with its strategic position along major shipping routes connecting Asia, Europe, and the Americas, is uniquely positioned to capitalize on this growth. Kenya’s coast provides natural advantages that, when combined with properly trained maritime professionals, could transform the country into a regional shipping and logistics hub.
The partnership’s focus on providing sea-time opportunities for Kenyan cadets addresses a critical bottleneck in maritime education. Theoretical knowledge must be complemented by practical experience aboard vessels, and Korea’s extensive shipping networks provide exactly this opportunity. This hands-on training component is essential for producing competent officers who can meet international standards and compete in the global marketplace.
The initiative’s emphasis on sustainable development reflects a mature understanding of modern maritime challenges. Today’s seafarers must be equipped not only with traditional navigation and engineering skills but also with knowledge of environmental regulations, green shipping technologies, and sustainable ocean management practices.
This comprehensive approach to maritime education positions Kenya to be part of the solution to multiple challenges simultaneously: addressing the global seafarer shortage, building local capacity for blue economy development, and contributing to more sustainable shipping practices. The involvement of Kenya’s Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs, alongside the State Department of Shipping, demonstrates the government’s recognition of maritime education as a strategic national priority.
The success of this Korea-Kenya partnership will likely be measured not just in the number of cadets trained, but in its broader impact on regional maritime capacity. If executed effectively, this program could serve as a model for similar partnerships across East Africa, creating a network of maritime training centers that serve the continent’s growing shipping needs.
The presence of the Maritime Education and Training Support Center for Kenya (METSC) in this initiative suggests a systematic approach to building sustainable maritime education infrastructure. This institutional involvement indicates that the partnership aims to create lasting capacity rather than merely providing short-term training opportunities.
As Cabinet Secretary Hassan Ali Joho’s ministry works to develop Kenya’s blue economy potential, initiatives like this Korea partnership represent exactly the kind of strategic thinking required. By investing in maritime education and training, Kenya is not just addressing immediate skill shortages—it’s positioning itself as a leader in Africa’s maritime future.
The success of this Kenya-Korea partnership could well determine whether Kenya emerges as a regional maritime hub or remains a bystander in the global shipping industry’s next chapter of growth.
The author is a policy analyst specializing in maritime governance and blue economy development.
