KENYA AS A MARITIME NATION

Kenya participates in IMO meetings and working groups contributing to the formulation and development of international maritime policies and advancement of global maritime agenda. Kenya has demonstrated leadership by hosting IMO regional workshops and training programs. To further support IMO Activities, Kenya hosts the IMO Regional Office for Eastern and Southern Africa, The Regional Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (RMRCC), the Maritime Technology Cooperation Centre (MTCC) - Africa; the Maritime Organisation of Eastern and Southern Africa (MOESNA), and the Port Management Association of Eastern and Southern Africa (PMAESA). In addition, plans are underway to operationalize the Association of African Maritime Administrations (AAMA) Secretariat in Kenya.

Strategic Geographical Location

Kenya’s strategic location along the East African coast and the major maritime trading routes connects Africa to Europe, Asia, and the Ameri- cas.The Kenyan Ports of Mombasa and Lamu are located among the world's busiest international shipping lanes and critical gateways for trade in the land-linked countries of East and Central Africa.

Kenya as a Maritime Nation (Statistics)

Land area: 582,650km2

Ocean Area: 221,778km2

Exclusive Economic Zone: 10,812km2

Kenya’s Blue Economy Value: $4 Billion

Port Container Traffic: 2,005,076 TEUs

Cargo Throughput: 41.1 million tons

Transit Cargo volume: 13.4 million tons (17.4% rise)

Imports: 768,088 TEUs (17.2% rise)

Exports: 731,934 TEUs (6.6% rise)

Contribution to Global Efforts in Reducing Greenhouse Emissions from Shipping

Climate change remains a significant concern for the maritime community. Kenya is at the forefront of action to mitigate climate change through various initiatives, including:

-Hosting the Maritime Technology Cooperation Centre (MTCC) for Africa to support the initial IMO strategy on reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from ships.

- Participating as a New Pilot Country in the IMO-Norway GreenVoyage2050 project, which aims to assist in implementing the initial IMO strategy on reducing GHG emissions from ships.

Reduction of Marine Litter

In 2018, Kenya enacted a ban on the manufacture, importation, supply, distribution, and use of non-woven polypropylene bags to reduce marine litter and protect the nation's marine environment.

Kenya is also a lead partner in the IMO-FAO-Norway GloLitter Partnerships Project, aligning its aspirations with obligations to achieve UN Sustainable Development Goal 14.

Commitment to Maritime Safety and Security

Kenya has established the Kenya Coast Guard Service as a dedicated maritime security agency. The country has also developed the National Maritime Security Strategy (NMSS) which outlines Kenya’s approach to addressing unlawful acts of piracy, illegal fishing, smuggling and transnational crimes that threaten maritime safety and security.

Climate change and Environmental Stewardship

Kenya strongly advocates for sustainable maritime practices, including reducing Green House Gas Emissions (GHG) from ships and protecting marine ecosystems. Kenya continues to demonstrate its dedication to environmental protection in the

maritime sector by taking practical remedies such as the production of green energy, afforestation and re-forestation programmes.

Kenya has been a global leader in Climate Change Action and recently hosted high level global conferences including Africa Green Shipping Conference, the 12^th Conference on Climate Change and Development in Africa and the inaugural Africa Climate Summit. Kenya holds the Vice-President position of the Oceans Global Conference and will host the ‘Our Oceans Conference’ in 2026, the first ever to be held in Africa.

The Regional Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (RMRCC)

RMRCC

Kenya hosts the Regional Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (RMRCC) in Mombasa, which covers the regions of Somalia, Kenya, the United Republic of Tanzania, and the Seychelles on behalf of the international maritime community.

Maritime Trade Facilitation (FAL)

Kenya has established a Maritime Single Window Platform in accordance with the IMO FAL Convention to enhance electronic data interchange, aiming for faster clearance of ship cargo, crew, and passengers to improve efficiency at the Port of Mombasa.

Kenya has proposed and is championing the development of guidelines for preventing and suppressing the smuggling of wildlife on ships involved in international maritime traffic (FAL 44/18/1), which was adopted as a Work Programme by the Facilitation Committee in its 44th Session.

Additionally, Kenya is advocating for the development of a Port Community Charter to increase efficiency at the Port of Mombasa and reduce the cost of doing business, thus unlocking its full potential as a gateway to the Eastern and Central African region and beyond.

Kenya in the Region

Kenya plays a pivotal role in the Eastern and Central African maritime sector and trade, hosting the secretariats of three sub-regional organizations actively addressing maritime issues:

- Port Management Association of Eastern and Southern Africa (PMAESA)

- Intergovernmental Standing Committee on Shipping (ISCOS)

- Northern Transit Transport Coordinating Authority (NTTCA)

Kenya is also a proactive member of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), an organization dedicated to strengthening regional cooperation and sustainable development within the Indian Ocean Region.

Maritime Education and Training (MET)

Kenya continues to strengthen the capacity of its maritime training institutions to advance maritime education and training that conforms with international standards. We are on the IMO White List of countries implementing the International Convention on the Standards of Training, Certification & Watchkeeping for Seafarers, (STCW 1978), as amended.

Kenya designated seafarers as key workers which is in alignment with the 2025 joint ILO-IMO amendment to Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006. Kenya contributes to the reduction of the global shortage of seafarers and protects the welfare of seafarers through an established legal framework.

Seafarers Welfare

As a signatory to the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006, Kenya was the first country in Africa to address the humanitarian crisis at sea by designating Mombasa Port as a crew change center during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Integration of Women in the Maritime Sector

In alignment with the IMO program for integrating women into the maritime sector, Kenya is actively raising awareness about the importance of gender equality in maritime and shipping industries in line with SDG 5.

OUR PARTNERS

The Ministry of Blue Economy in Kenya coordinates sustainable management and development of marine and aquatic resources, including fisheries and aquaculture.

It aims to promote economic growth, food security, job creation, and environmental protection through policies, research, and partnerships in the blue economy sector.

KMA ensures maritime safety, enforces international conventions, manages ship registration, coordinates search and rescue, and oversees seafarers' training and welfare.

KPA

(KPA) is a state corporation responsible for managing and operating Kenya's seaports, including Mombasa, Lamu, and Kisumu.

FOREIGN AFFAIRS

manages Kenya's foreign policy, promotes national interests globally, coordinates international relations, protects Kenyans abroad, and oversees diplomatic missions and treaties.

Kenya coast guard service enforces maritime laws in Kenya’s territorial waters, ensuring security, pollution control, fisheries protection, anti-trafficking, sanitation, search and rescue, and prosecution of offenders

KENTRADE

Is a Kenyan state agency that manages the National Electronic Single Window System, facilitating international trade by enabling electronic submission, processing, approval, and payment of trade documents, fees, and taxes efficiently.