IMO Training in Nairobi
Placing maritime activity at the heart of national development plans in Africa will help deliver the Sustainable Development Goals, which is a key strategic direction for IMO. A recent International Maritime Organization (IMO) P training activity in Nairobi, Kenya is helping to do just that.With 38 of 54 African countries being coastal States – and more than 90% of Africa’s imports and exports being transported by sea, Africa’s future depends on healthy oceans and a sustainable Blue Economy. This inclusive, clean and green approach to harnessing maritime resources is central to a new training course being developed in Kenya with support…
Boat Built with Recycled Plastic to Highlight Pollution
Kenyan islanders have built a boat made entirely of recycled plastic collected during clean-ups of the ocean to highlight the growing menace of plastic waste that ends up in the sea.Last year, the Kenyan government imposed the world’s toughest law against plastic bags, with offenders - including producers, retailers, and ordinary Kenyans - risking imprisonment for up to four years or fines of $40,000, in a bid to reduce plastic pollution.Many bags drift into the ocean, strangling turtles, suffocating seabirds and filling the stomachs of dolphins and whales.The construction of the boat has been
Italdraghe Harvester for Lake Victoria
The latest Italdraghe acquatic weed harvester is now on its way to Kenya. Destined to be used to remove the mats of hyacinth and hippo grass that have been steadily taking over the waters of Lake Victoria, the harvester will be based in the city of Kisumu. The harvester, doubly certified by both the Italian Naval Registry (RINA) and Bureau Veritas (BV), was recently inspected in the Italdraghe shipyard by a team of Kenyan government officials who gave the go ahead for its immediate shipment. Once on site in Kisumu, the harvester will be assembled and commissioned by Italdraghe technicians who will also provide a thorough training course for the local operators who will be responsible for the long-term use and maintenance of the vessel.
Kenya to Focus on Maritime Safety, Security
Kenyan government vowed to strengthen maritime safety and security to help exploit maritime resources. Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta called for closer cooperation, and effective coordination of all maritime policy at the different decision- making levels both at regional and continental levels. Given that the maritime industry is the carrier of 92 percent of Kenya's international trade by volume, and given the importance of international trade to Keny's prosperity, the choice of investment was prudent too, Kenyatta said. Kenyatta said a special focus must be put on training so that the country's maritime skills match the infrastructure being developed to exploit maritime resources. He said that a public university will soon start to offer training in maritime studies.
Somali Pirates Demand $20M Ship Ransom
As an armed U.S. destroyer patrolled nearby and planes flew overhead, a Somali pirate spokesman demanded a $20m ransom to release a cargo ship loaded with Russian tanks, reports said. Pirates demanded $20m in exchange for a Ukrainian-operated ship they hijacked off the coast of Somalia last week, according to The Associated Press. Pirates seized the Ukrainian-operated ship Faina off the coast of Somalia as it headed to Kenya carrying 33 Russian-built T-72 tanks and a substantial quantity of ammunition and spare parts. The ordnance was ordered by the Kenyan government. The guided missile destroyer USS Howard was stationed off the coast of Somalia on Sunday, making sure that the pirates did not remove the tanks, ammunition and other heavy weapons from the ship.
CSR Tracks Unscrupulous Recruiting Firm
The Center for Seafarers' Rights (CSR) of the Seamen's Church Institute of New York & New Jersey is again protesting the illegal recruiting practices of Al-Najat Marine Shipping LLC. Over the past week, CSR received several reports that the Al-Najat Marine Shipping LLC, a United Arab Emirates company, is offering to recruit Indian nationals for positions aboard cruise ships by contacting various employment agencies in India, including the OverSeas Comm. Company. office. "Al-Najat is cheating poor people again," said Douglas B. Stevenson, Director of the Center for Seafarers' Rights. from skeptical people researching the company on the internet reveals that even they really want to believe the ads.
