Kenya Tightens Maritime Safety and Fishing Rules
The Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) is proposing changes to maritime safety regulations and new rules for the fishing industry, seeking public feedback on measures covering marine accident investigations, crew welfare and working conditions. The proposals aim to strengthen Kenya’s shipping laws and improve safety standards across the maritime sector.
The proposed marine accident reporting, risk management and regulatory compliance measures come amid recent accidents at the Port of Mombasa. Alongside revised investigation procedures, the new fishing regulations would establish standards for employment agreements, rest periods, onboard accommodation, medical care, safety training and social protection.
According to a notice issued on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, KMA reviewed the Merchant Shipping (Marine Casualty Reporting and Investigations) Regulations and developed the Merchant Shipping (Work in Fishing) Regulations in consultation with the State Department for Shipping and Maritime, the Office of the Attorney General and the Kenya Law Reform Commission.
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Port Accidents Highlight Safety Concerns
Kenya’s existing marine casualty regulations, introduced in 2014, set out requirements for reporting accidents, preserving evidence, conducting investigations and recommending measures to prevent similar incidents.
Ship masters and owners must report specified accidents, while investigations are intended to establish their causes and prevent recurrence rather than assign blame.
The proposed changes follow two reported incidents at the Port of Mombasa. In September, a Rubber-Tyred Gantry (RTG) crane incident left an operator with minor injuries after containers toppled over.
In an earlier incident at Berth 14, a cargo rigger died after heavy pipes reportedly rolled over him during vessel offloading.
These incidents underline the importance of effective port safety management, cargo-handling procedures and accident prevention. Thorough investigations can help identify operational hazards and inform measures to reduce workplace risks. The practical impact, however, will depend on how the revised requirements are implemented and enforced.
New Fishing Rules Focus on Crew Welfare
The proposed Merchant Shipping (Work in Fishing) Regulations would introduce standards covering:
- Employment agreements and working conditions.
- Rest periods for fishers.
- Onboard accommodation.
- Medical care and safety training.
- Social protection for fishing industry workers.
The proposed framework is intended to align Kenya’s maritime laws with international labour standards, including the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Work in Fishing Convention, which Kenya ratified in 2022.
Clearer requirements could help fishing operators understand their obligations while strengthening protections for crews. Implementation will be important to ensure that the proposed standards translate into safer working and living conditions aboard fishing vessels.
What the Proposed Changes Mean for Maritime Operators
The proposals address two important areas of maritime governance: accident prevention and the protection of fishing crews.
For shipowners, port operators and shipping companies, effective casualty reporting and investigation can support better maritime risk management and safety compliance. In the fishing industry, clearer rules on employment, medical care and onboard conditions could strengthen labour protections.
However, the outcome will depend on the final regulations, enforcement arrangements and compliance across the industry. The public consultation offers stakeholders an opportunity to highlight operational challenges and recommend practical improvements before the rules are finalised.
Public Consultation Meetings Planned for November
KMA will organise public participation meetings on various dates in November, working with the State Department for Shipping and Maritime, the Office of the Attorney General and the Kenya Law Reform Commission. The meetings will provide an opportunity for stakeholders to discuss the proposed regulations and contribute to the development of Kenya’s maritime regulatory framework.
