A proposed Regional Maritime University (RMU) for Eastern, Southern and Northern Africa region aims to tackle the region's growing shortage of qualified maritime professionals by strengthening maritime education, expanding research and improving access to practical sea-time training.

The proposal is contained in a feasibility study conducted by Professors Anish Hebbar, Associate Professor at the World Maritime University (WMU), which examined the state of maritime education and training (MET) across member states of the Maritime Organization for Eastern, Southern and Northern Africa (MOESNA).

The study assessed existing institutions, training capacity, infrastructure, regulatory compliance and industry needs to determine the viability of establishing a regional maritime university.

According to the study, presented to industry stakeholders for validation, the proposed institution would produce internationally competitive seafarers, marine engineers, port specialists and maritime policy experts while strengthening the region's participation in the global maritime labour market.

Although the MOESNA region has about 731 universities and higher education institutions, the study found that it has only 21 recognized Maritime Education and Training (MET) institutions, underscoring a significant shortage of specialized maritime training.

Kenya has the largest number of MET institutions with 11, followed by Tanzania with four, while Ethiopia and Uganda each have two. The Democratic Republic of Congo and Malawi have one institution each, while Botswana, Burundi and Zambia have none.

However, the study found that the current MET system, while attracting students, has struggled to convert enrolment into internationally certified graduates and employment opportunities.

Many students fail to complete certification because of limited access to mandatory sea-time training, inadequate practical facilities and weak links with the shipping industry.

The findings show that 84.6 percent of the 26 maritime agencies and institutions interviewed said existing training infrastructure requires significant strengthening, particularly in maritime simulators, workshops and sea-time opportunities.

Researchers noted that although student interest in maritime programmes continues to grow, the region lacks sufficient infrastructure to support quality practical training required under the International Maritime Organization's Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) Convention.

The report argues that establishing a regional university would enable member states to pool resources and jointly invest in costly facilities such as ship and simulators, engineering laboratories, workshops and training vessels that many countries cannot afford individually.

Limited access to mandatory sea-time training emerged as the single biggest obstacle preventing students from qualifying as professional deck officers and marine engineers.

Industry representatives interviewed during the study also cited the high cost of maritime education, inadequate financial support and weak industry partnerships as factors limiting student progression from classroom learning to certification and employment.

Stakeholders ranked inadequate sea-time opportunities as the highest priority challenge, followed by shortages of qualified instructors, insufficient training infrastructure and limited funding for maritime education.

The study recommends that the proposed RMU establish long-term partnerships with shipping companies, port authorities and maritime administrations to guarantee cadet placements and improve graduate employability.

The report comes as the global shipping industry faces an increasing shortage of qualified officers. According to BIMCO and the International Chamber of Shipping, the industry is expected to face a shortage of 39,100 certified officers by 2026, despite an overall surplus of ratings.

Researchers argue that Africa is well positioned to help meet this demand because more than 60 percent of its population is under the age of 25. However, the continent currently contributes only about 4 percent of the world's seafarers, mainly due to limited training capacity, inadequate sea-time opportunities and uneven compliance with international standards.

Within the MOESNA region, the situation is even more acute. The region supplied only 4,947 seafarers to the global workforce in 2021, representing just 0.26 percent of the world's seafarer supply. Tanzania accounted for nearly 90 percent of that total, while Kenya contributed only 185 seafarers despite having the highest number of maritime training institutions.

The study also identified significant gaps in higher-level maritime education. Of the 21 institutions surveyed, only five offer bachelor's degree programmes, only one offers a master's degree and none provides doctoral training in maritime disciplines.

Researchers say this limits research, innovation, policy development and the training of future maritime educators.

The proposed university would therefore offer undergraduate and postgraduate programmes alongside professional certification, research and specialized training in marine engineering, maritime law, port management, logistics, environmental protection, maritime safety, digital technologies and the blue economy.

Stakeholders further recommended introducing programmes in artificial intelligence, automation, green shipping, maritime cybersecurity and alternative fuels to prepare graduates for the future of the shipping industry.

The study also found that international recognition of maritime qualifications remains limited. Only Kenya, Tanzania and Ethiopia are currently included on the International Maritime Organization White List, confirming compliance with global standards for maritime education and certification.

Ethiopia is the only MOESNA member state recognized by the European Maritime Safety Agency, allowing its maritime certificates to be more readily accepted within the European Union.

Researchers believe harmonizing maritime education through a single regional university would improve the international competitiveness and mobility of African seafarers.

The study also highlighted the underrepresentation of women in the maritime sector. Women account for only about 23 percent of enrolment in selected African maritime institutions and approximately 1 percent of the global seafaring workforce.

To address this imbalance, the report recommends scholarships, mentorship programmes, affordable tuition, student accommodation and stronger welfare support to improve access for women and financially disadvantaged students.

The feasibility study concludes that establishing an RMU would strengthen maritime education, enhance research and innovation, harmonize regional training standards and better position Africa to meet growing demand for skilled maritime professionals.

However, it cautions that the university's success will depend on sustained political commitment, predictable financing, effective governance and strong partnerships with the shipping industry to ensure graduates gain the practical experience required for certification and employment.