President William
Ruto speaking during a meeting with officials from the Norwegian Shipowners'
Association in Oslo, Norway, on June 9, 2026. /PCSPresident William Ruto on Tuesday held talks with Norwegian maritime industry leaders in Oslo as Kenya seeks to deepen cooperation with Norway in the maritime and blue economy sectors.
Ruto met Norwegian Shipowners' Association President, Andreas Enger and other officials, where discussions focused on investment, skills development, technology transfer and job creation within the maritime economy.
The President said Kenya and Norway are exploring opportunities for Kenyan maritime professionals and seafarers to work with established Norwegian shipping companies, as well as new shipping routes to strengthen trade and supply chain resilience between the ports of Mombasa and Lamu and Norwegian ports.
According to Ruto, the talks also covered shipbuilding, fisheries, green shipping, ocean sustainability and decarbonisation, including the development of green trade corridors between the two countries.
He welcomed a commitment by Wilhelmsen Ship Management and
other Norwegian shipping firms to employ 1,000 Kenyan seafarers by 2030,
including 120 by the end of this year.
The meeting comes a day after the President arrived in Oslo for a visit he said aimed at strengthening Kenya's longstanding bilateral ties with Norway and advancing cooperation in trade, investment, climate action and sustainable development.
President William
Ruto, with Norwegian Shipowners' Association President Andreas Enger, alongside another official, views a waterfront in Oslo during the meeting in Oslo, Norway, on June 9, 2026. /PCS
President William
Ruto with Norwegian Shipowners' Association President Andreas Enger during a
meeting in Oslo, Norway, on June 9, 2026. /PCS
Some of the Kenyan
and Norwegian officials who attended the maritime and blue economy discussions
in Oslo, Norway, on June 9, 2026. /PCS
Some of the Kenyan
and Norwegian officials who attended the maritime and blue economy discussions
in Oslo, Norway, on June 9, 2026. /PCS
A view of the
waterfront in Oslo, Norway, during President William Ruto's visit on June 9,
2026. /PCS
