Substandard vessels, which would typically be detained are now entering the port unchecked. PHOTO/FILE. By ANDREW MWANGURA. [email protected]. The Port of Mombasa, a vital gateway for East African maritime commerce, is currently facing what can only be described as a complete breakdown in Port State Control (PSC) inspections.. This concerning development not only undermines regional maritime safety standards but also threatens Kenya’s standing within the Indian Ocean Memorandum of Understanding (IOMOU) on PSC.. Port State Control inspections have effectively ceased at Mombasa Port. Despite having three qualified inspectors at the Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA), who possess Class 1 (Deck/Engineering) certifications and have completed the required “Port & Flag State Implementation Courses” abroad, none are currently conducting these critical safety inspections.. Instead, these qualified personnel have reportedly been reassigned to other duties within the organisation. The implications are serious. Foreign vessels entering Mombasa’s waters are no longer subject to the rigorous safety, security, and environmental compliance checks that PSC inspections are designed to ensure.. This lapse raises significant concerns about the potential risks associated with substandard vessels operating unchecked in Mombasa’s waters. It is important to note that PSC inspections are demanding when conducted properly.. A thorough inspection typically limits an inspector to examining just one or two vessels per day, followed by administrative work to submit findings to the Indian Ocean Regional PSC centre. This intensive process requires dedication, expertise, and institutional support—qualities that appear to be lacking at present.. The apparent reassignment of qualified inspectors highlights a broader issue: the KMA seems to lack the capacity to maintain both Port State Control and Flag State inspections. This capacity gap raises concerns about resource allocation, institutional priorities, and Kenya’s commitment to upholding international maritime standards.. First, there are safety risks. Substandard vessels, which would typically be detained or required to address deficiencies, are now entering the port unchecked. This creates the potential for serious safety hazards on the water, endangering both the vessels and the people aboard them.. Additionally, there is a threat to Kenya’s reputation within the Indian Ocean Memorandum of Understanding (IOMOU). Without regular PSC inspections, Kenya’s standing within the regional framework could be jeopardised, which may, in turn, affect how Kenyan-flagged vessels are treated at other ports in the region.. Environmental concerns at Mombasa port have emerged as a consequence of the lack of inspections. PHOTO/FILE. Environmental concerns also emerge as a consequence of the lack of inspections. Without proper scrutiny, vessels with potential environmental violations may continue to operate without detection, contributing to marine pollution and environmental degradation.. Perhaps most concerning is the regulatory regression that this situation represents. Years of progress in strengthening maritime safety and compliance are being undermined, putting at risk the hard-won improvements that have been made to uphold international maritime standards.. The Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) and other relevant Kenyan authorities must urgently address this gap in maritime oversight. Key steps should include:. Reassigning qualified inspectors back to their PSC duties.. Developing a sustainable capacity-building programme to train and increase the number of qualified inspectors.. Reaffirming Kenya’s commitment to the IOMOU and other international maritime conventions to ensure continued compliance with global standards.. Failure to take swift action could have far-reaching consequences for both the safety of Mombasa Port and Kenya’s position in the global maritime community.. Without prompt action, Mombasa risks becoming known as a “port of convenience”, where substandard shipping can operate with minimal scrutiny. Such a reputation would severely damage Kenya’s maritime ambitions and its leadership within the region.. The cessation of PSC inspections is not just an administrative lapse—it is a significant regression in Kenya’s maritime governance. This matter demands immediate attention from all stakeholders involved to ensure the country remains committed to upholding international standards of maritime safety and security.
