By Zamzam Osman - Reporter
Kenya, 24 April 2026 Somali marine pilots began specialised training at Kenya’s Technical University of Mombasa Sunday, the university said, to boost maritime safety.
The trainees, drawn from Mogadishu, are part of the first cohort admitted to the university’s Institute of Maritime and Seafaring Studies.
The Marine Pilot Training Programme is designed in line with international standards set by the International Maritime Organization, the university said, and focuses on navigation safety, ship handling, pilotage operations and risk management.
The University's Vice Chancellor Laila Abubakar said the initiative reflects the institution’s ambition to expand its role in regional maritime training and capacity development.
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The programme combines classroom instruction with practical training, including the use of simulators and guidance from experienced maritime professionals.
The training is being delivered by instructors with seagoing and pilotage experience, led by senior academic staff at the institute.
Somalia has also been working to strengthen its domestic maritime capacity, including plans to establish a national maritime training institution aimed at developing seafarers and port professionals, according to sector reports.
The programme marks a step in regional cooperation, with Somalia seeking to improve safety and efficiency in its ports as it rebuilds its maritime sector.