Cadets join shipping lines as Bandari academy addresses sea-time headache

Ten cadets from the Bandari Maritime Academy were flagged off on Monday as they head to various shipping lines across the globe.

They secured slots on these lines courtesy of a collaboration between the BMA and global ship management company, Danica Crewing Specialists.

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They will undergo a six-month sea-time training programme that is mandatory for any seafarer.

The cadets undertook Marine Engineering and Nautical Science courses, which require 12 months of sea-time in total for graduation.

According to BMA chief executive officer Eric Katana, sea-time has been a perennial problem nationally and globally.

“Looking at our numbers, our database has around 120 cadets due for sea-time opportunities. We decided as a leadership to secure the right collaborators to solve this problem,” Katana said.

He said Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs CS Hassan Joho has been immensely supportive in this endeavour.

“From the 120, today we are flagging off 10. Additionally, 43 cadets are already on board various vessels, while seven have since disembarked,” Katana said.

“We are tackling this sea-time problem without reservation because maritime training is incomplete until one attains the mandatory sea service.”

BMA is the only institution in the country that trains and actively sources opportunities for its trainees, according to Katana.

The Kenya Maritime Authority said the partnership between BMA and Danica is a significant opportunity to progress maritime education for Kenyan seafarers.

“Sea service is what makes seafarers; without sea-time, they cannot qualify,” a representative said.

Katana assured other cadets they would secure sea-time soon due to the Danica partnership.

The CEO said have signed several MoUs with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Dominican Republic, with a Singapore deal pending — one of the world’s largest flag states.

Marion Ngombo, a deck cadet and one of the 10, noted this was a historic moment.

“This is a great experience. We promise not to disappoint and will make BMA proud,” she said.

Danica Crewing Specialists CEO Henrik Jensen said Kenya has great potential to produce the world's best seafarers.

“You have a lot of talent. I am very impressed by the education and training here,” he said.

Jensen acknowledged that sea-time is a global issue as many shipping lines remain focused on business rather than training.

“I hope our project with these 10 cadets encourages similar arrangements. I am sure they will be successful, and perhaps one will become the first Kenyan captain on a foreign vessel,” Jensen said.

Katana emphasised that placement requires exemplary behaviour and academic prowess.

He said the Danica collaboration is a milestone in producing globally competitive seafarers by ensuring mandatory practical experience for certification.

“This partnership is about securing the future of our young maritime professionals. We are grateful to Danica for opening doors to international trading vessels,” Katana said.

Jensen praised BMA’s dedication to quality education and expressed Danica’s commitment to nurturing the next generation.

The six-month sea-time training will see cadets deployed on ocean-going vessels to gain hands-on experience in ship operations, safety procedures and maritime professionalism—an essential step toward their certification and future employment in the global maritime industry.