Kenya has recently forged new agreements with international ship-owning organizations, significantly enhancing job prospects for local seafarers and bolstering its position in the global maritime labor market. This development follows the signing of a Mutual Recognition Agreement between the Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore. KMA’s director general, CPA Omae Nyarandi, emphasized that this agreement will facilitate overseas employment for Kenyan seafarers by allowing them to work on Singapore-registered vessels worldwide.
Under this agreement, Kenyan seafarers who possess internationally compliant Certificates of Competency can obtain endorsements from Singapore, thus gaining access to global shipping markets. Nyarandi noted that this initiative not only affirms international confidence in Kenya’s maritime training standards but also creates direct pathways for seafarers to enter the global shipping industry. The agreement aims to connect Kenyan maritime talent with Singapore’s extensive shipping network, leading to more stable and well-paying job opportunities.
Additionally, Kenya has established similar agreements with Panama, Palau, Liberia, Saudi Arabia, and the Commonwealth of Dominica, collectively opening up access to over 14,000 vessels globally. Following a recent independent audit by the International Maritime Organization, Kenya was placed on the “whitelist,” further enhancing its compliance record and enabling over 16,000 Kenyan seafarers to secure international employment. The KMA also announced the completion of procurement for Seafarers’ Secure Identification Documents, expected to be ready by April 2026. These agreements represent a significant step forward for Kenya’s blue economy agenda, expanding global employment opportunities and reinforcing its status as a competitive supplier of skilled maritime labor.
