Moesna Secretariat

11/06/2026

11/06/2026

Guarding Our Oceans, Powering Our Future

On this World Oceans Day, we join the global community in celebrating and reflecting on the life-sustaining marvel that covers over 70% of our planet. As the custodian of our nation’s maritime space, the State Department for Shipping and Maritime Affairs recommits to the sustainable management, protection, and utilization of our vast marine resources.

The ocean is not just a geographical feature; it is the heartbeat of global trade and the backbone of our growing Blue Economy. Over 90% of global trade is carried by sea, making sustainable shipping and resilient port logistics absolute imperatives for our economic future.

This year’s celebration carries profound significance for us as we build on the incredible momentum and global commitments of the 11th Our Ocean Conference (OOC) in Mombasa. Hosting this prestigious global gathering underscored our pivotal role in international maritime governance. The tangible actions, partnerships, and conservation pledges forged during the OOC are already driving our transition toward a sustainable ocean economy, proving that regional leadership can catalyze global change.

As we advance our maritime agenda from enhancing maritime security and modernizing port infrastructure to investing in world-class seafaring certification and training, our focus remains steadfast: balancing economic growth with ecological preservation. We cannot have a thriving maritime sector without a healthy ocean.

04/06/2026

AMBASSADOR ALI D. MOHAMED, SPECIAL ENVOY ON CLIMATE CHANGE IN THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA, RECEIVED THE SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE MARITIME ORGANIZATION FOR EASTERN, SOUTHERN AND NORTHERN AFRICA (MOESNA), DURING A COURTESY CALL AT HIS OFFICE IN NAIROBI

The meeting focused on matters of mutual interest to Kenya and the Member States of MOESNA concerning climate change in the maritime sector. Discussions covered the global climate agenda and its implications for shipping, with particular emphasis on the decarbonization measures being advanced under the International Maritime Organization (IMO), including the proposed Net-Zero Framework, climate-related regulatory reforms, climate diplomacy, and climate finance.

The meeting also highlighted the important role of regional organizations in supporting Member States through awareness creation, capacity building, policy advocacy, and technical cooperation on climate and maritime issues. Participants emphasized the need to strengthen regional preparedness and enhance understanding of the opportunities and challenges arising from the transition to greener shipping.

The two leaders further explored opportunities for collaboration aimed at fostering strategic partnerships and promoting a coordinated African voice in international climate and maritime discussions. They underscored the importance of ensuring that Africa’s development priorities and maritime interests are reflected in global decision-making while advancing the continent’s green industrialization, sustainable development, and climate resilience objectives.

The meeting reaffirmed the shared commitment of Kenya and MOESNA to support a just, equitable, and inclusive transition towards a sustainable low-carbon maritime future.

03/06/2026

UGANDA KENYA SGR INTEGRATION RECEIVES MAJOR BACKING

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has reaffirmed its commitment to financing Uganda's Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), providing fresh momentum to efforts aimed at creating a seamless modern railway corridor linking the Port of Mombasa to Uganda and eventually extending into South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

During the African Development Bank Annual Meetings in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, held recently, AfDB Vice President for Regional Development, Integration and Business Delivery, Dr. Abdul Kamara, confirmed the Bank's readiness to support the construction of the 326-kilometre Malaba–Kampala SGR section.

Uganda signed the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contract with Yapı Merkezi in October 2024. Land acquisition, route surveys, design work, and establishment of project facilities have been progressing through 2025 and 2026.

Read the full story and other stories on our portal:
https://e-magazine.moesnadispatch.org/story/uganda-kenya-sgr-integration-receives-major-backing

01/06/2026

Happy Madaraka Day 🇰🇪

29/05/2026

AFRICA PUSHES FOR REGIONAL MARITIME UNIVERSITY TO FIX TRAINING GAPS

Amid growing concerns over fragmented Maritime Education and Training (MET) systems, inadequate training infrastructure, shortages of qualified instructors, and Africa’s continued underrepresentation in the global seafaring workforce, Eastern, Southern, and Northern African states are pushing for reforms to harmonize maritime training standards.

The reforms include the proposed establishment of a Regional Maritime University (RMU) aimed at strengthening maritime education and improving the region’s competitiveness in the global shipping industry.

Stakeholders say the initiative seeks to address long-standing weaknesses in maritime education that have limited the region’s ability to produce globally competitive seafarers, maritime engineers, logistics experts, and policy specialists needed to support Africa’s expanding blue economy and rapidly evolving global shipping industry.

Read the full story and other stories on our portal:
https://e-magazine.moesnadispatch.org/story/africa-pushes-for-regional-maritime-university-to-fix-training-gaps

28/05/2026

LNG-POWERED VESSEL SIGNALS GREEN SHIPPING SHIFT IN EAST AFRICA

The arrival of the LNG-powered container vessel CMA CGM Adventure at the Port of Mombasa has marked a symbolic milestone in East Africa’s gradual transition toward greener maritime logistics, as regional ports increasingly attract next-generation low-emission ships.

The vessel, the first large gas-fueled container ship of its kind to berth in Mombasa, is part of a new generation of ultra-modern carriers designed to reduce carbon emissions by running primarily on Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).

Unlike conventional vessels that rely on heavy fuel oil, CMA CGM Adventure operates on chilled natural gas, significantly reducing visible smoke emissions and greenhouse gas output during voyages.

Read the full story and other stories on our portal:
https://e-magazine.moesnadispatch.org/story/lng-powered-vessel-signals-green-shipping-shift-in-east-africa

28/05/2026

ETHIOPIA FULLY OPENS FREIGHT FORWARDING MARKET TO GLOBAL INVESTORS

Ethiopia has opened a new chapter in its logistics and trade services sector with the removal of long-standing restrictions on foreign participation in freight forwarding, marking one of the country’s most significant service liberalization moves in recent years and signaling a broader need to attract foreign investment into its trade infrastructure.

The reform, approved by the Ethiopian Investment Board under the Ethiopian Investment Commission, now allows 100 percent foreign ownership in freight forwarding companies. This dismantles earlier requirements that forced international logistics players into joint ventures with local firms and capped foreign equity at 49 percent.

For investors eyeing East Africa’s land-linked trade corridors, the shift effectively unlocks a critical node in one of the region’s most strategically positioned but operationally constrained logistics markets.

Read the full story and other stories on our portal:
https://e-magazine.moesnadispatch.org/story/ethiopia-fully-opens-freight-forwarding-market-to-global-investors

27/05/2026

May this Eid bring happiness, good health and endless blessings to all.

Eid Al Adha Mubarak!

20/05/2026

MODERN MARITIME SKILLS LACKING AMONG COXSWAINS IN MOESNA STATES

A major regional drive to reform and standardize coxswain training across Eastern, Southern and Northern Africa is gaining ground amid growing concerns that weak certification systems, outdated training methods and poorly regulated inland water transport operations are exposing thousands of passengers and operators to preventable maritime accidents while denying young seafarers access to regional employment opportunities.

The proposed reforms are being spearheaded by the Maritime Organization for Eastern, Southern and Northern Africa (MOESNA), which is developing a regional coxswain training curriculum intended to standardize competencies and certification across member states.

Presenting the draft curriculum framework during a stakeholders’ consultative workshop in Nairobi, Bandari Maritime Academy (BMA) lead consultant Enock Okwema, who carried out the study, said the region urgently needs a competency-based and industry-driven training system capable of responding to emerging realities in inland and coastal water transport.

Read the full story and other stories on our portal:
https://e-magazine.moesnadispatch.org/story/modern-maritime-skills-lacking-among-coxswains-in-moesna-states