Revamping seafarer documentation and training to secure Kenya’s maritime future

Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) search and rescue boats. PHOTO/UGC.

By ANDREW MWANGURA

newshub@eyewitness.africa

Kenya’s maritime industry is at a critical juncture. The country has the potential to become a leading regional maritime hub, yet outdated seafarer documentation and training systems are holding back our seafarers from reaching their full potential in the global market.

Currently, Kenyan seafarers face significant challenges that put them at a competitive disadvantage compared to their regional peers. When shipowners attempt to verify the credentials of Kenyan sailors, they are forced to navigate a cumbersome, manual process.

The process includes emails, document uploads, and long waiting times for responses from the Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA). This outdated method is an obstacle to both efficiency and reliability, which are essential in the fast-paced global maritime sector.

In stark contrast, neighbouring Tanzania has embraced modernity by introducing an online verification system that enables instant document authentication. In an industry where time is money, Kenya’s slow, email-based system places our seafarers at a distinct disadvantage, pushing valuable job opportunities away from qualified Kenyan mariners.

The implications of maintaining this archaic system are far-reaching. Shipowners, looking for quick and efficient solutions, will naturally favour countries with streamlined verification processes. As other nations within East Africa and globally modernise their maritime operations, Kenya risks being left behind, depriving its citizens of job opportunities and the country of significant economic gains.

This is not just a minor inconvenience; it is a lost opportunity. Every day that we delay modernisation is another day our seafarers lose ground to international competitors, and the nation loses potential revenue and employment prospects for thousands of Kenyans.

To address these challenges, Kenya must urgently modernise its seafarer documentation and training systems. A multi-pronged approach is necessary, focusing on three key reforms:

1. Standardised Seafarer Identity Documents (SID): Kenya should adopt internationally recognised Seafarer Identity Documents (SIDs), compliant with the International Labour Organisation’s Convention No. 185. These secure, biometric-enabled documents would significantly boost Kenyan seafarers’ mobility and employability.

2. Online Verification Portal: The KMA should develop an efficient online system that allows global maritime authorities and shipowners to verify Kenyan seafarers’ credentials instantly. This 24/7 portal would eliminate the current bottleneck caused by email-based verification, ensuring Kenya’s maritime workforce can compete on a level playing field.
3. Enhanced Maritime Education and Training (MET): Local maritime institutions should expand their offerings to include comprehensive courses that meet international standards. These programmes would help create more entry-level opportunities for Kenyans and ensure that our seafarers possess the skills required by the global maritime industry.

The successful implementation of these reforms will require coordinated efforts between government agencies, educational institutions, and industry stakeholders. The KMA must take the lead, securing the necessary funding and expertise to develop the online verification system and implement standardised identity documents. Additionally, partnerships with established maritime nations would allow for knowledge transfer and help shape maritime curricula to meet global standards.

Kenya’s maritime sector stands on the brink of immense opportunity. With its strategic location and a young, dynamic workforce, Kenya is poised to become a leading supplier of qualified seafarers to the global maritime industry. However, that future will remain unrealised unless we modernise our documentation and training systems.

By adopting secure Seafarer Identity Documents, creating an efficient online verification system, and expanding our maritime education offerings, Kenya can ensure that its seafarers remain competitive on the world stage. The time to act is now—the nation’s maritime future depends on it.

Writer is a maritime policy expert.