Principal Secretary for Shipping and Maritime Affairs Geoffrey Kaituko has announced that MAERSK shipping and logistics company will train Kenyan seafarers.
Maersk is one of the prime shipping companies in the world situated in Copenhagen in Denmark with subsidiaries and offices across 130 countries.
In a statement on Tuesday, September 17, Kaituko announced that he secured sea time training for 10 cadets each year onboard MAERSK vessels for 12 months during his visit to Copenhagen, Denmark.
“Some of the immediate gains from this trip include the establishment of the Cadet training program for Kenyan seafarers by MAERSK shipping and logistics company,” he said.
Govt Secures Maritime Training Deal with MAERSK
Kaituko noted that sea time is a mandatory requirement for cadets before gaining employment on vessels.
He highlighted that this has been a challenge for cadets in Kenya, as the country lacks a shipping company.
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Furthermore, Kaituko emphasized that this initiative significantly boosts the government’s efforts to increase access to sea-time training and enhance the placement of cadets in the global maritime labor market.
“This is a big boost to our efforts to increase access to sea-time training and subsequent placement of our cadets in the Global Maritime Labour Market,” he added.
The deal will also facilitate the employment of Kenya Seafarers onboard their ships both as cadets and engineers by the Danish based company.
Kaituko Outlines Other Beneficials from the Denmark
The PS also stated that the Danish Maritime Authority (DMA) will support in improving the quality of maritime education and training in the country.
Additionally, Kaituko said he requested Denmark to provide scholarships for Kenyans seeking further education in maritime disciplines.
Furthermore, he mentioned that SIMAC (a Danish Maritime Training Institution) agreed to partner with the Bandari Maritime Academy in offering advanced courses (not currently on offer in Kenya) locally.
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Additionally, the PS mentioned that DMA will also assist the Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA)in strengthening its capacity in carrying out its core mandate of flag and port state control.
Kaituko noted that Kenya will be hosting the African region Conference on green shipping in February 2025, in which the International Maritime Organization (IMO)and Denmark will participate.
“To advance the decarbonization agenda for the shipping industry and subsequent call for the adoption of global carbon reduction regulations by IMO member states, Kenya has agreed to host the 2nd Africa Regional Green Shipping Conference in February 2025,” he stated.
Data from KMA shows that Kenyan seafarers placed onboard ships since 2021 are 3,500 with 2,700 recruited between 2023 and 2024.
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