The Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to all shipping companies operating in the country to comply with mandatory registration and licensing requirements.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

According to the authority, foreign shipping lines must obtain Registration Certificates and local shipping lines must secure operating licences under the Merchant Shipping (Maritime Transport Operators) Regulations, 2024.

In a notice dated June 22, seen by this publication, KMA directed that all shipping lines immediately comply with the applicable requirements.

“All affected operators are therefore directed to regularise their registration and licensing status with the Authority within seven (7) days from the date of this notice,” the authority instructed.

📌 What You Need to Know

The regulator warned that operators found conducting operations or maritime transport business within Kenyan ports without the required documentation will face sanctions and enforcement action under the regulations and other applicable laws.

The compliance drive indicates stricter regulatory enforcement in the maritime sector, where unregulated port operations have for years raised safety, security and economic concerns.

Further, KMA has signalled heightened regulatory oversight as it is currently coordinating a multi-agency response to the grounding of a cargo vessel off Nyali Beach in Mombasa.

Reports have been circulating online indicating that an unidentified ship has been stranded within the Mombasa Marine Park for about a month, with no official communication from authorities.

Concerns were raised over the environmental risks posed as the vessel was situated above a coral reef ecosystem.

KMA identified the ship as M.V. DAN, owned by SLA Maritime Co. S.A., which is an international shipping and crew management company.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke