Bandari Maritime Academy (BMA) has taken a significant step in advancing maritime education in Kenya by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (ICS) East Africa. The agreement underscores a collaborative approach to enhancing shipping careers and developing industry-ready professionals for the country’s growing blue economy.
BMA’s core mandate is to produce a competent human resource base for Kenya’s sustainable blue economy. On the other hand, ICS is globally recognized for setting and maintaining the highest standards in international transport and shipping. According to Eric Katana, the MOU between these two institutions represents a synergy that will strengthen maritime education and professional training in the country.
“The partnership aligns with our goal of ensuring that Kenya produces world-class maritime professionals. By working together, we can leverage our strengths to offer relevant, industry-driven training programs,” says Katana.
The MOU outlines several areas of collaboration that will enhance student training and industry placements and include joint capacity-building initiatives in Maritime Education and Training (MET) and shipping; exchange of information related to maritime education and industry trends; joint consultations on MET and shipping matters; and collaborative efforts in sourcing attachments, internships, and employment opportunities.
Others include organizing career talks, open days, and student preparation programs; engaging stakeholders on MET and shipping best practices; conducting joint research and development projects to enhance industry engagement; and fostering international engagements with key industry players to adopt best practices.
According to Katana, “This collaboration will provide students with greater access to practical training opportunities, equipping them with the skills needed to thrive in the maritime industry.”
To ensure that its training programs remain relevant to the evolving needs of the maritime sector, BMA has adopted a Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET) approach. This approach aligns training with industry requirements by incorporating feedback from maritime practitioners in curriculum development and validation.
“We are committed to carrying out regular training needs assessments to keep pace with industry demands. By partnering with ICS, we will develop joint curricula that integrate insights from global maritime experts,” Katana explains. “This will help ensure that our graduates possess the skills required to excel in the field.”
Through this partnership, BMA students will gain enhanced access to internship and job placement opportunities. ICS, with its well-established global network, will facilitate industry placements for BMA graduates both regionally and internationally.
“Our students will benefit from ICS’s established structures, which will open doors to career opportunities worldwide,” Katana notes. “By upholding the highest standards in international transport and shipping, they will significantly increase their employability.”
“Looking ahead, this collaboration is expected to yield long-term benefits for Kenya’s maritime industry. Over the next five years, BMA and ICS aim to produce a steady stream of highly skilled maritime professionals who will contribute to various sectors, including clearing and forwarding, port and shipping agency operations, ship brokerage, multimodal transport, shipping finance, and insurance,” East Africa Branch ICS Chairman Mr. Elijah Mbaru asserted.
“This partnership will not only enhance employment prospects but also boost Kenya’s position in the global shipping industry. By equipping more professionals with the necessary skills, we anticipate an increase in job opportunities, improved living standards, and overall economic growth,” he added.
With this agreement, BMA and ICS East Africa have set the stage for a transformative impact on maritime education and professional development in Kenya, ensuring that the country remains a key player in the international shipping industry.
Mbaru has been instrumental in advocating for the advancement of maritime education and training in the region. In his welcoming remarks at the ICS East Africa Open Day held on March 3, 2025, at Bandari Maritime Academy, Mbaru emphasized the institute’s dedication to delivering top-tier maritime education.
He stated, “The Institute is committed to providing world-class maritime education and training to equip young professionals with the skills and knowledge required to excel in the global shipping industry.”
Mbaru also highlighted the importance of collaboration between the institute, government bodies, industry stakeholders, and policymakers to enhance employment opportunities for students and cadets. He reiterated ICS’s commitment to working closely with these entities to create more job prospects within the maritime sector.
Through such initiatives and partnerships, ICS East Africa Branch aims to strengthen the region’s maritime industry by ensuring that professionals are well-equipped to meet global standards and challenges.
The BMA is navigating uncharted waters as it stepped into full autonomy in 2019, marking a transformative shift for Kenya’s maritime training sector. Formerly under the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), BMA’s independence positions it as a key driver in the country’s blue economy and a potential regional leader in maritime education.
For decades, BMA functioned as KPA’s in-house training facility, primarily focused on port operations. However, with Kenya’s increasing emphasis on the blue economy, the need for an independent, world-class maritime training institution became apparent. In response, the government granted BMA autonomy, allowing it to expand its curriculum, enhance training quality, and forge global partnerships aligned with international maritime standards.
“With autonomy, BMA now has the flexibility to shape its own future,” said Katana. “We can tailor our curriculum to meet global maritime benchmarks, establish strategic partnerships, and position ourselves as a premier institution in Africa.”
The blue economy—spanning fisheries, marine transport, coastal tourism, and offshore energy—holds immense potential for Kenya’s economic growth. A skilled workforce is crucial to unlocking these opportunities, and BMA stands at the forefront of this mission.
This article was published by Githua Kihara, an editorial consultant for FEAFFA’s Freight Logistics Magazine. For any inquiries, please contact us via email at editorial@feaffa.com or freightlogistics@feaffa.com, or reach out to Andrew Onionga directly at onionga@feaffa.com / +254733780240.
