Bachelor of Maritime and Shipping Management
The Bachelor of Maritime and Shipping Management is a four-year programme that prepares students for maritime operations, shipping management and port administration. Students study maritime management, shipping operations, port management, maritime law, maritime logistics and marine insurance. The programme combines maritime industry knowledge with management skills for the shipping and port sector.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 244,800 a year at a public institution, Ksh 979,200 for the whole course.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of C+ or above, plus 4 subject grades. There is another way in without it.The detail
- How long, and when
- Takes 4 years, full-time, with 3 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 1 institution.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Forensic Audit Investigator, at 17 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
Students develop competencies in maritime management, shipping operations, port management, maritime law, logistics, maritime safety and marine insurance. They learn to manage shipping operations, coordinate port activities, handle maritime documentation and ensure compliance with maritime regulations. The programme covers shipping, port management, maritime law, logistics and safety.
In Kenya, maritime and shipping management is critical for the port of Mombasa, which is a major gateway for East Africa. Kenya's maritime sector, port expansion and regional trade create opportunities. The Technical University of Mombasa and Moi University offer related maritime management programmes. Graduates find roles in shipping companies, port authorities, logistics firms, maritime agencies, freight forwarding companies and government maritime departments.
Teaching is delivered through lectures, practical maritime simulations, field visits, industrial attachment and research projects. Students study shipping operations, port logistics, maritime documentation and undertake industrial attachment at ports or shipping companies. The programme includes a final-year research project.
Graduates pursue careers as shipping managers, port managers, maritime logistics managers, freight managers and ship agents. Some work for shipping companies or port authorities. Others join logistics firms, maritime agencies or freight forwarding companies.
This programme is ideal for individuals with interest in maritime industry, logistics and international trade.
What you study
10 subjects- Maritime Management Principles
- Shipping Operations and Management
- Port Management and Operations
- Maritime Law and Regulations
- Maritime Logistics and Supply Chain
- Marine Insurance and Risk Management
- Maritime Safety and Security
- Shipbroking and Chartering
- International Trade and Transport
- Research Methods
Modules
12 in the programmeIntroduction to Maritime Industry
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduction to Maritime Industry: Maritime industry overview, shipping, ports and seaborne trade Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Maritime Management Principles
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Maritime Management Principles: Maritime management theory, maritime organisations and governance Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
Shipping Operations and Management
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Shipping Operations and Management: Shipping operations, vessel types, shipping markets and fleet management Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
Port Management and Operations
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Port Management and Operations: Port management, port operations, cargo handling and terminal operations Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
Maritime Law and Regulations
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Maritime Law and Regulations: Maritime law, admiralty, carriage of goods by sea and IMO conventions Examines statutory frameworks, case law, and regulatory compliance in the Kenyan context.
Maritime Logistics and Supply Chain
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Maritime Logistics and Supply Chain: Maritime logistics, multimodal transport, supply chain and hinterland transport Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant sk...
Marine Insurance and Risk Management
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Marine Insurance and Risk Management: Marine insurance, hull and cargo insurance, risk management and claims Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
Shipbroking and Chartering
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Shipbroking, chartering, voyage and time charter contracts. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment te...
Maritime Safety and Security
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Maritime Safety and Security: Maritime safety, ISPS, security, safety management and SOLAS Covers safety regulations, risk assessment, and workplace hazard management.
International Trade and Transport
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
International Trade and Transport: International trade, transport law, incoterms and trade facilitation Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Strategic Maritime Management
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Strategic Maritime Management: Strategic management in maritime sector, competitiveness and policy Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
Final Year Research Project
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Independent research on maritime and shipping management. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment test...
Specialisations
Marine Insurance
Specialization in Marine Insurance, preparing graduates for careers such as logistics-manager. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Shipping Management
Specialization in Shipping Management, preparing graduates for careers such as logistics-manager. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Shipbroking
Specialization in Shipbroking, preparing graduates for careers such as logistics-manager. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Port Management
Specialization in Port Management, preparing graduates for careers such as logistics-manager. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Maritime Safety
Specialization in Maritime Safety, preparing graduates for careers such as logistics-manager. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Maritime Logistics
Specialization in Maritime Logistics, preparing graduates for careers such as logistics-manager. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
A day as a student
A typical day combines morning lectures on maritime management or shipping with afternoon practical simulations or field visits. Students may study port operations, analyse shipping cases, use maritime documentation or visit port facilities.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Relevant to Kenya's strategic port of Mombasa | Maritime jobs may be concentrated in coastal areas |
| Diverse career paths in shipping, ports and logistics | Industry can be affected by global trade fluctuations |
| International career opportunities in maritime | Some roles may require travel or sea time |
| Combines maritime knowledge with business management | May require professional maritime certifications for advancement |
What it costs
Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.
What it costs, and where
Against 331 business coursesAnnual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.
The fine print
Pub: TUM 102,000 to Pwani 244,800/yr. No private university confirmed. KUCCPS.
Students may access HELB loans and county bursaries. Some maritime companies and port authorities offer internship opportunities.
Funding options
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)
LoanKsh 60,000
National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF)
Bursary
County Government Bursaries
Bursary
Scholarships
3 recordedHigher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
BursaryKenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students placed by KUCCPS in public universities
Scholarships you could apply for
6 usable where it is taught- Equity Group Foundation Wings to Fly
Closes 28 February 2027FullEquity Bank
Full secondary + university
- Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship
Closes 31 March 2027FullAga Khan Foundation
Full university study
- Family Bank Foundation Education Support
Closes 30 June 2027PartialFamily Bank
KES 80,000 per year
- HELB Undergraduate Scholarship
Closes 31 July 2027PartialHigher Education Loans Board
KES 40,000 to 60,000 per year
- County Government Scholarships
Varies by countyPartialCounty Governments
KES 50,000 to 200,000 per year
- Moringa School Craftbyte Scholarship
QuarterlyFullMoringa School
Full software development course
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
Relevant diploma or equivalent qualification
When it next starts
Taught at 1 institutionIncluding Taita Taveta University.
Including Taita Taveta University.
Including Taita Taveta University.
How you are assessed
4 componentsFinal Examination
Coursework40% of the mark
Practical Simulations and Case Studies
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs)
Coursework20% of the mark
Industrial Attachment Report
Coursework10% of the mark
Accreditation
Commission for University Education (CUE)
InstitutionalRequired
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE).
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
5 rolesFreight Manager
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 220,000
Manages freight forwarding and cargo operations
Maritime Logistics Manager
Moderate demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 250,000
Manages maritime logistics and supply chain
Port Manager
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 300,000
Manages port operations and terminals
Ship Agent
Moderate demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 200,000
Coordinates vessel operations in port
Shipping Manager
Moderate demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 250,000
Manages shipping operations and fleet
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work as shipping managers, port managers, maritime logistics managers, freight managers and ship agents in shipping companies, port authorities, logistics firms, maritime agencies, freight forwarding companies and government maritime departments.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Forensic Audit InvestigatorBusiness17Low exposure
- Franchise Operations ManagerBusiness18Low exposure
- Infrastructure Finance SpecialistBusiness18Low exposure
- Intermodal Reefer TechnicianBusiness18Low exposure
- Climate Risk UnderwriterBusiness19Low exposure
- Coldchain Logistics ManagerBusiness19Low exposure
- Municipal Finance SpecialistBusiness19Low exposure
- Islamic Banking SpecialistBusiness20Low exposure
Tools you will learn
Microsoft Excel
Data analysisPrimary
Transport scheduling, route planning, fuel cost analysis, and fleet maintenance tracking.
SAP Transportation Management
Erp software
Enterprise transportation management module for logistics planning, freight management, and fleet operations.
Route Planning Software
SoftwarePrimary
Software for optimising delivery routes, scheduling dispatches, and calculating transport costs.
GPS Tracking Systems
Technology
Vehicle tracking systems for real-time fleet monitoring, location tracking, and route compliance.
Fleet Management Software
SoftwarePrimary
Digital platforms for tracking vehicles, scheduling maintenance, monitoring fuel consumption, and managing driver performance.
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Maritime management is only for sailors
Maritime management covers shipping, port operations, logistics, law and business management.
There are limited jobs in maritime management
Kenya's port of Mombasa and regional trade create diverse maritime opportunities.
Maritime management is not academic
Maritime management requires knowledge of law, logistics, economics, operations and safety.
Maritime jobs are only at the coast
Maritime management supports inland logistics, shipping agencies and freight forwarding nationwide.