Bachelor of Maritime Logistics and Freight Management
The Bachelor of Maritime Logistics and Freight Management is a four-year programme that prepares students for maritime logistics, freight forwarding and cargo management. Students study maritime logistics, freight management, cargo handling, multimodal transport and supply chain management. The programme combines logistics knowledge with maritime industry skills for cargo and freight operations.
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 freight management, cargo handling, maritime logistics, customs procedures, transport planning, warehousing and supply chain management. They learn to manage freight operations, coordinate cargo movement, handle customs documentation and optimise logistics chains. The programme covers freight, maritime logistics, cargo, customs, transport and supply chain management.
In Kenya, maritime logistics and freight management is important for port efficiency and regional trade. Kenya's port of Mombasa, Northern Corridor and logistics sector create opportunities. Technical University of Mombasa and Kenya School of Revenue Administration (KESRA) offer related programmes. Graduates find roles in freight forwarding companies, shipping lines, logistics firms, port authorities, customs agencies and transport companies.
Teaching is delivered through lectures, practical exercises, field visits, industrial attachment and research projects. Students study freight documentation, cargo handling, logistics software and undertake industrial attachment at logistics companies. The programme includes a final-year research project.
Graduates pursue careers as freight managers, logistics managers, customs brokers, cargo managers and transport coordinators. Some work for freight forwarding companies. Others join shipping lines, logistics firms, port authorities or customs agencies.
This programme is ideal for individuals with interest in logistics, international trade and maritime cargo operations.
What you study
10 subjects- Maritime Logistics and Freight Principles
- Freight Forwarding and Cargo Management
- Customs and International Trade
- Multimodal Transport Systems
- Port and Terminal Operations
- Warehouse and Inventory Management
- Supply Chain Management
- Maritime Law and Carriage of Goods
- Transport Economics and Planning
- Research Methods
Modules
12 in the programmeIntroduction to Maritime Logistics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduction to Maritime Logistics: Maritime logistics, freight concepts, logistics systems and trade Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Freight Forwarding Principles
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Freight Forwarding Principles: Freight forwarding, modes of transport, freight documentation and incoterms Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Cargo Management and Handling
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Cargo Management and Handling: Cargo types, handling, stowage, dangerous goods and cargo security Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
Customs and International Trade
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Customs and International Trade: Customs procedures, international trade, tariffs and KRA regulations Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Multimodal Transport Systems
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Multimodal Transport Systems: Multimodal transport, sea, road, rail, air and integration of transport modes Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Port and Terminal Operations
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Port and Terminal Operations: Port operations, terminal management, cargo handling equipment and efficiency Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Warehouse and Inventory Management
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Warehouse and Inventory Management: Warehousing, inventory control, distribution and warehouse operations Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
Maritime Law and Carriage of Goods
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Maritime Law and Carriage of Goods: Maritime law, carriage of goods, bills of lading and maritime contracts Examines statutory frameworks, case law, and regulatory compliance in the Kenyan context.
Supply Chain Management
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Supply Chain Management: Supply chain management, integration, coordination and logistics strategy Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
Transport Economics and Planning
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Transport economics, planning, cost analysis and policy. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests...
Strategic Logistics Management
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Strategic Logistics Management: Strategic logistics management, network design, outsourcing and performance Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
Final Year Research Project
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Final Year Research Project: Independent research on maritime logistics and freight management Involves independent research, data analysis, and scholarly writing under supervision.
Specialisations
Cargo Management
Specialization in Cargo 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.
Warehouse Management
Specialization in Warehouse 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.
Supply Chain Management
Specialization in Supply Chain Management, preparing graduates for careers such as logistics-manager.
Customs and Trade
Specialization in Customs and Trade, 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.
Freight Forwarding
Specialization in Freight Forwarding, 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 Transport
Specialization in Maritime Transport, 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 logistics or freight with afternoon practical exercises or field visits. Students may study freight documentation, analyse cargo cases, use logistics software or visit port and freight facilities.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Relevant to Kenya's port and regional trade | Freight operations may require working irregular hours |
| Diverse career paths in logistics and freight | Some roles are concentrated around port and border areas |
| Combines logistics with maritime industry knowledge | Industry can be affected by global trade fluctuations |
| Growing demand for logistics professionals | May require professional certifications for customs or freight forwarding |
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 (similar programmes). No private confirmed. KUCCPS.
Students may access HELB loans and county bursaries. Some logistics and freight companies offer internship stipends.
Funding options
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)
LoanKsh 60,000
National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF)
Bursary
County Government Bursaries
Bursary
Scholarships
4 recordedCounty Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
BursaryKenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students placed by KUCCPS in public universities
Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD) Training Scholarship
ScholarshipKenyan
Students in geospatial sciences, GIS and remote sensing
Scholarships you could apply for
8 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
- Komaza Scholarship Program
RollingPartialKomaza
KES 50,000 to 150,000 per year
- Moi University Merit Scholarship
Before semester startsPartialMoi University
50% tuition waiver
- 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 Moi University.
Including Moi University.
Including Moi University.
How you are assessed
4 componentsContinuous Assessment Tests (CATs)
Coursework20% of the mark
Practical Exercises and Case Studies
Coursework30% of the mark
Final Examination
Coursework40% 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 rolesTransport Coordinator
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 180,000
Coordinates transport and logistics movements
Customs Broker
Moderate demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 200,000
Facilitates customs clearance and documentation
Logistics Manager
Moderate demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 250,000
Manages logistics and supply chain operations
Cargo Manager
Moderate demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 200,000
Manages cargo operations and handling
Freight Manager
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 220,000
Manages freight forwarding operations
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work as freight managers, logistics managers, customs brokers, cargo managers and transport coordinators in freight forwarding companies, shipping lines, logistics firms, port authorities, customs agencies and transport companies.
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 logistics is just about moving containers
Maritime logistics covers freight management, customs, multimodal transport, warehousing and supply chain optimisation.
There are limited jobs in freight management
Kenya's port and regional trade create diverse freight and logistics opportunities.
Freight management does not require a degree
Professional freight management requires knowledge of logistics, customs, law and international trade.
Maritime logistics is only for coastal areas
Freight management supports inland logistics, border points and regional transport corridors.