President William Ruto has secured opportunities for Kenyan seafarers in his high-level engagements in Norway.
In a statement shared on Tuesday, June 9, State House confirmed that the Kenyan government has secured 1,000 maritime jobs for Kenyans by 2030, with an initial 120 positions expected by the end of this year.
“Norwegian ship management firm Wilhelmsen Ship Management to hire 1,000 Kenyan seafarers by 2030, including 120 by the end of this year, following a meeting between the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association and President Ruto in Oslo, Norway,” read the statement from State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohammed.
1,000 Seafarer Jobs Confirmed in Wilhelmsen Deal
During President Ruto’s engagement in the European nation, Wilhelmsen Ship Management, alongside other Norwegian shipping firms, committed to employing 1,000 Kenyan seafarers by 2030.
Ruto welcomed the announcement, noting that 120 of these positions will be filled before the end of the year.
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President Ruto said Kenya is advancing its maritime and blue economy agenda through cooperation with Norway, focusing on investment, skills development, technology transfer, and job creation across the maritime sector.
The agreement also opens opportunities for Kenyan maritime professionals to work with established Norwegian shipping companies, marking a significant step in expanding overseas employment pathways for skilled youth.
“We are advancing Kenya’s maritime and blue economy agenda through cooperation with Norway, exploring opportunities for investment, knowledge exchange, skills development, technology transfer and job creation across the maritime economy, including opportunities for Kenyan maritime professionals and seafarers to work with established Norwegian maritime companies.” said Ruto.
Broader Kenya–Norway Maritime and Blue Economy Cooperation
Beyond employment, the discussions in Oslo also focused on strengthening Kenya’s broader blue economy agenda, including fisheries development, green shipping, and ocean sustainability.
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The two sides explored cooperation on decarbonization efforts, and the creation of green trade corridors aimed at supporting cleaner and more efficient maritime transport.
Ruto further highlighted plans to explore new shipping routes that would boost trade, enhance supply chain resilience, and improve connectivity between the ports of Mombasa and Lamu and Norwegian ports.
The partnership also includes ambitions to expand shipbuilding capacity and deepen maritime infrastructure development in Kenya.
“We are also exploring new shipping routes to boost trade, strengthen supply chain resilience, enhance connectivity between the ports of Mombasa and Lamu and Norwegian ports, and expand our shipbuilding capacity,” added Ruto.
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