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Joho in plan to boost blue economy via shipbreaking

Joho in plan to boost blue economy via shipbreaking
The Mining Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs CS was accompanied by PS Blue Economy and Fisheries- Betsy Njagi and her counterpart for the State Department of Shipping and Maritime Affairs Geoffrey Kaituko, Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir and KMA Chairman Hamisi Mwaguya among other leaders PHOTO/Reuben Mwambingu

Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho has unveiled an ambitious plan to introduce the shipbreaking industry in Kenya, a move he believes will bolster the nation’s blue economy and generate significant employment opportunities.

 Shipbreaking, a lucrative industry common in Asian countries like Bangladesh and India, involves dismantling old and deteriorating ships for recycling, extracting valuable materials, or safe disposal.

Each year, thousands of ships succumb to rust, corrosion, and metal fatigue, rendering them unfit for service. Once these sea giants reach the end of their operational life, they are systematically dismantled in a process designed to recover as much value as possible—nothing goes to waste.

Highly profitable

Components that can be repurposed aboard another vessel are salvaged, while the remaining materials are sold for scrap. This highly profitable industry sees scrapping companies paying roughly $400 per tonne, translating to payments of $3 million to $10 million for a single vessel, depending on its size.

 “I have directed the formation of a working committee on shipbreaking. This is a subject that resonates deeply with me because I understand its potential to transform our industry. Unlike vehicles, ships can’t be easily repaired when they age; they must be dismantled. Vessel owners will bring their ships to us at their expense, pay for the dismantling, and leave the wreckage here, which will significantly benefit our steel industry. The steel from just one vessel can lower our costs tremendously,” Joho reckoned during his first official visit to Mombasa as Cabinet Secretary.

Joho also issued a stern warning to those suspected of grabbing fish landing sites across the country, urging them to vacate immediately or face severe consequences.

According to the CS, approximately 46 fishing landing sites along the Kenyan coast and in other regions have been illegally occupied, hindering fishing activities.

Grabbed land

“Many landing sites from Kiunga to Lungalunga, and even around Lake Victoria and other parts of the country, have been grabbed. In Turkana, nature reclaimed its space, forcing the grabbers to relinquish the sites. If you’ve built on our fish landing sites, start demolishing those structures before we take action,” Joho warned during a press briefing at the Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) in Mombasa.

He announced that a legal notice would be issued to suspected land grabbers, requiring them to vacate and allow fishermen to carry out their work without obstacles. “Fishermen need secure locations to land their vessels and offload their catch for processing. By grabbing these sites, you are interfering with their livelihoods, which is unacceptable. Our fishing communities must be engaged in sustainable programs that support their growth,” Joho emphasized.

The CS further announced plans to deploy more patrol boats in the Indian Ocean for surveillance and monitoring to combat Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing within Kenya’s territorial waters. “The ministry has heavily invested in technology to monitor activities in the Indian Ocean. We’ve made significant advancements in this area and are working closely with the Kenya Coast Guard and other security agencies to ensure these illegal activities cease. Protecting our resources is paramount—if we allow others to plunder them, we are failing in our duty,” he asserted.

Addressing the troubled Liwatoni fish factory project, Joho revealed that a new contractor has been signed and is expected to commence work within the next few days. “We expect the project to be completed within eight to 12 months and handed over to us,” he said.

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