The Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) is reviewing the rules governing the reporting and investigation of marine accidents, alongside new fishing regulations, as it seeks public input on proposed changes to the country’s maritime laws.
According to a notice issued by the authority on Tuesday, October 27, the Merchant Shipping (Marine Casualty Reporting and Investigations) Regulations and the newly developed Merchant Shipping (Work in Fishing) Regulations are intended to strengthen the legal framework for maritime safety and conditions in the industry.
“Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) in consultation with the State Department for Shipping and Maritime, the Office of the Attorney General and the Kenya Law Reform Commission, has reviewed the provisions of the Merchant Shipping (Marine Casualty Reporting and Investigations) Regulations and developed the Merchant Shipping (Work in Fishing) Regulations,” the notice stated.
The existing marine casualty regulations, introduced in 2014, outline requirements for reporting accidents, preserving evidence, conducting investigations and recommending measures to prevent similar incidents.
Fishermen taking part in fishing activities in Lake Victoria.
Photo
Ministry of Tourism
KMA’s proposal comes amid reports of accidents at Kenya’s ports, including a September incident at the Port of Mombasa involving a Rubber-Tyred Gantry crane, which left an operator with minor injuries after containers toppled over.
That accident followed an earlier fatal incident at Berth 14, where a cargo rigger died after heavy pipes reportedly rolled over him during offloading from a vessel.
Under the regulations, ship masters and owners are required to report certain accidents, while investigations are intended to establish their causes and prevent future occurrences rather than assign blame.
In addition, the proposed Merchant Shipping (Work in Fishing) Regulations also seek to establish standards covering fishers’ employment agreements, rest periods, onboard accommodation, medical care, safety training and social protection.
The rules are designed to align Kenya’s maritime framework with international labour standards, including the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) Work in Fishing Convention, which Kenya ratified in 2022.
Members of the public have been invited to review the draft regulations on the authority’s website and submit their views through email by November 30.
“The general public is hereby invited to attend the meeting and provide comments on the proposed Regulations using the comments template available on the KMA website and submit to comments.draftlaws@KMA.go.ke for consideration on or before 30th November, 2026,” the notice added.
Meanwhile, KMA, working with the State Department for Shipping and Maritime, the Office of the Attorney General and the Kenya Law Reform Commission, will hold public participation meetings on the proposed regulations on various dates in November.
Screengrabs from footage showing the scene after stacked containers toppled over at the Port of Mombasa, with KPA personnel attending to the incident involving a Rubber-Tyred Gantry (RTG) crane, September 17, 2026.
Screengrabs