KENYANS TO BENEFIT FROM SEAFARERS JOBS IN SOUTH KOREA

 

Kenyans are set to benefit from Maritime opportunities in South Korea this year after the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two countries which is expected to take place in June this year.

Speaking during a press briefing, the Principal Secretary Shipping and Maritime Affairs Geoffrey Kaituko stated that the respective leaders have agreed to fast track a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on mutual recognition of Certificates of Comptency (COC) that will open up opportunities for Kenyan seafarers to secure employment of 1000 ratings and officers on board Korean ships annually.

This came after the Principal Secretary (PS)  led a delegation in South Korea for a visit to engage key maritime stakeholders on training, mutual recognition of Certificates of Competency and employment of Kenyan seafarers on board Korean vessels. The visit was also an opportunity for the Kenyan delegation to communicate the Government of Kenya’s agenda for building a Trusted Kenyan Seafarer Brand that would attract employment of Kenyan Seafarers in shipping companies globally.

The Delegation also met the Korea Ship Owners Association (KSA) led by the Vice Chairman, Mr. Yang,Chang Ho, on which they lauded the Kenyan Sea farer’s brand as high and that Kenyans are physically fit, can speak fluent English and are disciplined. In the meeting, it was agreed that the Kenyan Government will identify a manning agent to handle seafarers’ welfare in Korean Ships.

“The agent will be the Kenyan maritime liason officer and will work closely with the Korean Government to handle any issues arising on board ships,” the PS stated.

The highlight of the visit was the signing of an MOU between the Korea Institute of Maritime and Fisheries Technology and the Bandari Maritime Academy where the Principal Secretary witnessed. The main area of cooperation in the MOU is cooperation by the two(2) Institutions in the development of training standards, curricula development and implementation, as well as training of trainers and exchange of faculty.

“Given the opportunities in the maritime sectors, there is need to increase the number of qualified seafarers through training and certification and therefore we urge the National Assembly to increase financing for maritime education and training centres. I further urge the Kenya youth to embrace the maritime sector and take advantage of the various maritime opportunities available in Kenya and globally,” he concluded.

State Department for Shipping and Maritime Affairs