KMA Mandates Shipping Line Compliance: Seven-Day Ultimatum Issued for Licensing and Registration
The Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) has issued a stringent seven-day ultimatum to all shipping companies operating within Kenyan waters, demanding immediate compliance with new registration and licensing requirements. This directive, effective immediately, targets both foreign and local maritime transport operators, signalling a significant regulatory push by the authority.
According to a notice issued by Director General Omae Nyarandi, foreign shipping lines are required to secure the requisite registration Certificate, while their local counterparts must obtain an operating license from the KMA. Failure to adhere to these mandates will result in the imposition of sanctions and other enforcement measures, underscoring the seriousness with which the KMA is treating this regulatory update.
The new regulations are stipulated under the Merchant Shipping (Maritime Transport Operators) Regulations, 2024. The Authority has explicitly stated, “In this regard, the Authority hereby notifies all maritime transport operators to ensure full compliance with this mandatory requirement.” Affected operators are therefore directed to regularise their registration and licensing status within the stipulated seven-day period from the date of the notice.
This regulatory enforcement action follows closely on the heels of the KMA’s ongoing monitoring of the grounded vessel M.V. DAN (IMO No. 841510). The vessel has been stranded off Nyali beach for over a month, having drifted off course on May 17 while en route from Tanga, Tanzania. The KMA has confirmed that the vessel’s hull integrity remains intact, with no indications of structural failure or leakage, and has assured that the risk of environmental pollution from the incident is minimal.
The owners of the vessel, SLA Maritime Co. S.A., are reportedly collaborating with relevant authorities to facilitate the refloating operation. Plans are in motion to leverage the next favourable spring tide, anticipated around July 1, with the owners mobilising the necessary equipment and resources for the safe evacuation of the ship. A multi-agency team, comprising the KMA, Kenya Coast Guard Service, Kenya Navy, Kenya Ports Authority, and other stakeholders, continues to oversee the situation and coordinate response efforts.
This heightened regulatory scrutiny and enforcement by the KMA presents a critical compliance challenge for shipping lines operating in Kenya. Legal counsel, compliance officers, and corporate executives must ensure their organisations are fully apprised of and compliant with the Merchant Shipping (Maritime Transport Operators) Regulations, 2024, to avoid penalties and operational disruptions. Investors and business leaders in the maritime sector should also note this development as indicative of the KMA’s commitment to robust oversight and regulatory adherence.
