Kenya, South Korea sign maritime pact to boost seafarer employment

Africa, Business

MOMBASA, Kenya (NPA) — Kenya and the Republic of Korea have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the mutual recognition of seafarers’ Certificates of Competency, a move expected to expand employment opportunities for Kenyan seafarers and strengthen bilateral cooperation in maritime training and shipping.

The agreement was signed in Mombasa on the sidelines of the 11th Our Ocean Conference and establishes a framework for the mutual recognition of maritime education, training and certification standards in line with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW).

Under the arrangement, qualified Kenyan seafarers will be eligible to serve aboard Korean-flagged vessels, while Korean seafarers will be permitted to work on Kenyan-registered ships.

The agreement was signed on behalf of Kenya by the Director-General of the Kenya Maritime Authority, CPA Omae Nyarandi, and witnessed by the Principal Secretary for Shipping and Maritime Affairs, Aden Millah.

On the Korean side, the agreement was signed by Kim Hye-jung, Director-General of the Shipping and Logistics Bureau, and witnessed by Deputy Minister Jeongho Seo.

Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs, Ali Hassan Joho, described the agreement as a significant milestone in the country’s ambition to become a leading maritime nation in Africa.

“This agreement marks a new chapter in Kenya-Korea maritime relations. It demonstrates international confidence in the quality of Kenya’s maritime training institutions and certification systems.

“More importantly, it opens doors for Kenyan seafarers to access opportunities in one of the world’s most advanced maritime economies, creating jobs, building skills and enhancing Kenya’s competitiveness in the global shipping industry,” Joho said.

He noted that the partnership aligns with the government’s broader strategy of leveraging the Blue Economy to drive economic growth, youth employment and international trade.

Millah described the MoU as a major breakthrough in Kenya’s efforts to build a globally recognised maritime workforce.

“The mutual recognition of certificates means that Kenyan seafarers will have greater access to international labour markets while benefiting from enhanced professional mobility.

“It also strengthens cooperation in maritime education, training, certification and knowledge exchange between our two countries,” he said.

According to him, the agreement will support government efforts to increase the number of Kenyan seafarers serving aboard international vessels, boost remittance inflows and create sustainable career opportunities for young professionals.

Also speaking, the Principal Secretary for the State Department for Blue Economy and Fisheries, Betsy Njagi, said the partnership reflects Kenya’s growing status as a regional maritime hub.

“The Blue Economy thrives on partnerships, innovation and human capital development.

“This agreement enhances our capacity to develop internationally competitive maritime professionals while strengthening Kenya’s position within the global ocean economy. It is a significant investment in our people and our future,” she said.

The MoU commits both countries to recognising each other’s maritime education, training and certification systems while maintaining compliance with standards set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

It also provides for information sharing, cooperation in training and assessment programmes, and verification mechanisms to ensure the authenticity and validity of seafarers’ certificates.

Industry stakeholders have welcomed the agreement, noting that South Korea remains one of the world’s leading maritime nations, with a highly developed shipping, shipbuilding and logistics sector.

Observers say the pact is expected to create new opportunities for Kenyan seafarers in international labour markets, strengthen maritime training standards and support Kenya’s ambition to become a leading maritime hub in the Western Indian Ocean region.

The signing comes as Kenya continues to implement reforms aimed at improving maritime governance, expanding seafarer training opportunities and attracting greater maritime trade and investment.

Analysts believe the agreement will accelerate skills development, facilitate technology transfer and deepen Kenya’s integration into global shipping networks, further strengthening the growth of the country’s Blue Economy.