Kenya Secures Deal to Deploy 1,000 Seafarers to Norway by 2030
News Updated: 10 June 2026 00:16 EAT
President William Samoei Ruto when he met with Norfund Chief Executive Officer, Tellef Thorleifsson, in Oslo and discuss cooperative measures between Kenya and Norway
Kenya has secured a major labour export and maritime training deal with Norwegian shipping interests that will see at least 1,000 Kenyan seafarers employed in Norway by 2030, following high-level talks in Oslo between President William Ruto and shipowners, including Wilhelmsen Ship Management.
The agreement was announced after meetings involving the Kenyan delegation and leading Norwegian maritime firms, where commitments were made to expand recruitment of trained Kenyan maritime personnel into global shipping operations.
According to details emerging from the discussions, the arrangement forms part of a wider labour mobility and blue economy cooperation framework between Kenya and Norway, aimed at linking Kenya’s growing seafarer training pipeline with international shipping demand.
Wilhelmsen Ship Management, one of the key Norwegian maritime employers involved, is reported to have committed to structured recruitment pathways for Kenyan seafarers, with the company already operating a crewing and manning presence in Nairobi since 2025.
The first phase of the programme is expected to begin with about 120 Kenyan seafarers deployed within the initial rollout period, before scaling up progressively toward the 1,000-target by 2030.
Government officials indicated that the deal is designed to strengthen Kenya’s position as a regional supplier of maritime labour, leveraging its coastal workforce training institutions and increasing global demand for certified seafarers.
The talks in Oslo also focused on broader maritime cooperation, including ship management partnerships, skills development, and potential expansion of training standards to align with international maritime certification requirements.
Kenya’s delegation highlighted the country’s strategy of expanding employment opportunities abroad through structured labour agreements, positioning seafaring as a key export profession alongside other skilled migration pathways.
Norwegian shipping stakeholders reportedly expressed interest in tapping into Kenya’s youthful labour force, citing competitiveness in training costs and the country’s growing reputation in maritime education.
The agreement also aligns with Kenya’s broader blue economy agenda, which seeks to integrate coastal development, port efficiency, and maritime employment into national economic planning.
Officials further noted that the partnership could encourage additional investment in maritime training infrastructure in Kenya, including simulators, academies, and certification programmes required for international deployment.
The Oslo discussions were part of President Ruto’s wider European engagement focused on trade, investment, and labour mobility partnerships with Nordic countries and the European Union.
Implementation details, including recruitment timelines, training standards, and employer coordination mechanisms, are expected to be refined through follow-up technical agreements between Kenyan authorities and participating Norwegian shipping firms.
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FELIX MAKONA
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