Kenyans are set to benefit from a sea-time training programme with Maersk vessels, Shipping and Maritime Affairs PS Geoffrey Kaituko has announced.
During his visit to Copenhagen, Denmark, Kaituko secured sea time training for 10 cadets yearly onboard Maersk vessels for 12 months.
“Sea time is one of the mandatory requirements for cadets before gaining employment on vessels and has proven to be a challenge for cadets in Kenya since Kenya doesn’t have a shipping company,” the PS noted in a statement.
Maersk is one of the prime shipping companies in the world, situated at Copenhagen in Denmark, with subsidiaries and offices across 130 countries
Kaituko added that Maersk promised to consider employing Kenya seafarers onboard their ships both as cadets and engineers.
The PS made the announcement after an official visit to Copenhagen in Denmark to tour Maersk Headquarters, where he met with vice-president Camilla Jain Hohse
He also visited the Danish Maritime Authority and participated as a panellist in a high-level green shipping and decarbonisation conference. He also went to relevant maritime institutions for collaboration with Kenyan counterparts,
During his visit, the two parties agreed on several areas of focus on the implementation of the Denmark-Kenya MoU, which was signed in 2021 awaiting implementation.
The two countries agreed to focus on maritime education and training. The PS said the Danish Maritime Authority undertook to strengthen maritime education and training, which will be undertaken in collaboration with Kenya’s Bandari Maritime Academy.
He added the Danish Maritime Authority will work with the Kenya Maritime Authority to strengthen the dual mandate on flag state and port state control.
“This will be through Service and inspection to enhance the capacity of Kenya ship surveyors and inspection,” he said.
He noted that the two countries agreed to share knowledge and technology on how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve five per cent to zero emissions through alternative fuel energy by 2050.
The PS noted that Kenya will be hosting the African region Conference on green shipping in February 2025, in which IMO and Denmark will participate.
“This conference is important since Kenya is a leading voice on matters concerning climate change and its effect on African countries, and our President William Ruto has been the greatest champion of climate change,” he said.
