Sea Sunday 2025: Peace in the Storm

By Andrew Mwangura

Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com

As we mark Sea Sunday 2025, the theme “Peace in the Storm” speaks profoundly to the lives of seafarers who navigate not only the unpredictable oceans but also the turbulent realities of their profession.

These men and women form the backbone of global trade, yet their struggles often go unnoticed. They endure long months away from home, hazardous working conditions, and the isolating vastness of the sea—all while ensuring that the world’s goods continue to move.

In a time of increasing geopolitical tensions, climate-induced extreme weather, and lingering disruptions from past global crises, the call for peace—real, tangible peace—has never been more urgent.

For seafarers, peace is more than just calm waters; it is the assurance of safety, dignity, and fair treatment.

It is knowing that their rights are protected, their labor is valued, and their well-being is prioritized.

Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Many face exploitative working conditions, abandonment in foreign ports, and mental health struggles with little support.

Organizations like the Apostleship of the Sea (Stella Maris) have been instrumental in providing spiritual and practical care, but systemic change is needed to ensure true peace for those at sea.

This is where governments and industry leaders must step in. Kenya, as a nation with a growing maritime workforce and strategic coastal significance, has a crucial role to play in advancing the welfare of seafarers.

On this Sea Sunday, we urge the Kenyan government to take decisive action in three key areas.

First, the government must fast-track the issuance of the Seafarers Identity Document (SID). Delays in processing these critical documents have left many Kenyan seafarers unable to secure employment or transit smoothly through foreign ports.

The SID is not just a formality; it is a lifeline that ensures recognition under the International Labour Organization’s Convention No. 185.

By streamlining the application process and eliminating bureaucratic bottlenecks, Kenya can empower its seafarers to compete fairly in the global maritime job market.

Second, the enactment of the Bandari Maritime Academy (BMA) Bill of 2023 must be prioritized. This legislation is vital for elevating Kenya’s maritime training standards and ensuring that local seafarers meet international competency requirements.

A well-regulated academy will not only produce skilled maritime professionals but also position Kenya as a regional hub for maritime education.

Further delays will only hold back the potential of thousands of young Kenyans eager to build careers at sea.

Third, Kenya should aggressively pursue bilateral agreements with major maritime nations. The government must aim to sign no fewer than 39 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with key seafaring countries, including the UK, Norway, Denmark, Japan, St. Kitts and Nevis, and the Netherlands.

These agreements should focus on the mutual recognition of certificates, making it easier for Kenyan seafarers to work on foreign vessels without facing unnecessary requalification hurdles.

Such partnerships would open doors to better employment opportunities and strengthen Kenya’s standing in the global maritime industry.

The sea will always have its storms—both natural and man-made. But with the right policies, Kenya can ensure that its seafarers are not left to weather them alone.

On this Sea Sunday, let us remember that peace is not passive; it requires action. It demands that governments, industries, and societies come together to protect those who keep the world connected.

For the men and women who spend their lives at sea, peace must be more than a hope—it must be a promise. And Kenya has the power to help fulfill it.

The author is a policy analyst specializing in maritime governance and blue economy development.