Kenya to start training globally recognised seafarers

By Patrick Beja

Leaders in the maritime industry are upbeat about the recent authorisation received from the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to train seafarers.

Kenya’s white listing is expected to allow local seafarers trained under the new regulations to receive worldwide recognition.

Thousands of seafarers, who earned their pay in dollars and belonged to the class of best paid in Kenya, were rendered redundant more than 10 years ago following the introduction of stringent regulations by IMO, a specialised shipping agency for the United Nations.

Introduction of the Standard of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping 1995 code locked out the Kenyan seafarers from foreign ocean-going vessels.

To get the IMO clearance, Kenya had to review the Merchant Shipping Act, develop a maritime training curriculum and seek IMO approval.

Kenya Maritime Authority Director General Nancy Karigithu expressed excitement over Kenya’s white listing last month.

Manpower shortage

She said Kenya joined a list of countries approved by IMO to train seafarers and issue internationally recognised certificates of competency to seafarers to enable them secure international jobs.

"The white list status is an affirmation that Kenya’s maritime education now meets international standards," said Mrs Karigithu. The recognition comes against the backdrop of a serious manpower shortage of seafarers worldwide.

The international market has a shortage estimated at 83,900 of the 500,000 officers required by 2012.

With the construction of the proposed Lamu port and the current growth in the maritime sector, white listing will enable training of the human resource capacity by the industry.