Business

Diploma in Maritime Transport Logistics

The Diploma in Maritime Transport Logistics is a three-year KNEC-examined programme offered at Bandari Maritime Academy and other maritime training institutions. The course prepares learners for careers in maritime transport operations, port management, shipping logistics, and multimodal transport, equipping them with both technical knowledge and operational competencies for the maritime sector.

Students develop competencies in engineering drawing, maritime mathematics, workshop technology, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, materials science, and electrical engineering. The programme also covers navigation principles, cargo operations, port management, maritime law, and shipping documentation, ensuring graduates understand the full spectrum of maritime transport operations.

Kenya's maritime sector is strategically significant, with the Port of Mombasa serving as the gateway for East and Central African trade. The Blue Economy agenda, expansion of port infrastructure, and growing coastal shipping activities have created sustained demand for qualified maritime professionals who can manage transport logistics operations efficiently and safely.

The programme combines classroom instruction with practical workshop training, simulation exercises, and industrial attachment. Students use engineering workshops, maritime simulators, and laboratory facilities to develop hands-on skills. Industrial attachment is undertaken at ports, shipping companies, or logistics firms, where learners apply theoretical knowledge in real maritime operations under professional supervision.

Graduates find employment as port operations officers, shipping agents, cargo coordinators, logistics supervisors, maritime transport officers, and freight forwarding agents. They work with port authorities, shipping lines, freight forwarding companies, maritime agencies, and logistics firms. Career progression includes advancement to management positions in port operations and maritime transport.

This programme is ideal for KCSE graduates with a mean grade of C- (minus) who are interested in maritime affairs, enjoy technical subjects, and wish to build careers in the maritime transport and logistics sector. A background in mathematics and sciences is advantageous for the engineering components of the course.

Duration: 2-3 years
Public, up to: Ksh 120,000
Job market: Moderate

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 40 students
Award: Diploma

What you study

6 subjects

Engineering Mathematics
Engineering Drawing
Thermodynamics
Materials
CAD
Research Methods

Modules

12 in the programme

Engineering Drawing & CAD
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Technical drawing, AutoCAD, 3D modelling, and engineering documentation for maritime transport and logistics applications.
Engineering Mathematics I
Year 1Semester 14 creditsCore
Calculus, linear algebra, vectors, and differential equations for solving engineering problems in maritime systems.
Workshop Technology & Safety
Year 1Semester 12 creditsCore
Hand tools, machine tools, welding, measurement, and workshop safety practices for maritime engineering workshops.
Engineering Mathematics II
Year 1Semester 24 creditsCore
Advanced calculus, complex numbers, Laplace transforms, and numerical methods for engineering analysis and design.
Engineering Mechanics
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Statics, dynamics, force systems, friction, and particle kinematics applied to maritime transport and machinery.
Materials Science
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Properties and behaviour of engineering materials including metals, polymers, and composites used in maritime construction.
Thermodynamics
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Energy, heat transfer, thermodynamic cycles, and laws of thermodynamics for marine engineering and propulsion systems.
Strength of Materials
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Stress, strain, torsion, bending, and failure theories in structural design for maritime transport vessels and infrastructure.
Fluid Mechanics
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Fluid properties, statics, dynamics, flow measurement, and hydraulic systems for maritime and port operations.
Design Project
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Engineering design process including problem definition, concept generation, prototyping, and design optimisation for maritime projects.
Electrical & Electronics Engineering
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Circuit analysis, electronics, power systems, and electrical machines for maritime transport and port electrical installations.
Industrial Attachment
Year 3Semester 26 creditsCore
Supervised industry placement in a port, shipping company, or maritime logistics firm applying engineering and transport skills.

Specialisations

Mechanical & Manufacturing
Design, analysis and manufacturing of mechanical systems and machines. Students learn CAD/CAM, thermodynamics, materials science and production engineering.
Electrical & Power
Electrical circuits, power systems, electronics and control systems. Students gain skills in power generation, distribution and electrical machine design.
Civil & Structural
Structural design, construction materials, geotechnics and surveying. Students learn to design and supervise construction of buildings, roads and infrastructure.
Mechatronics & Robotics
Integration of mechanical, electronic and software systems. Students build automated systems, robots and smart devices for manufacturing and industry.
Water & Environmental Engineering
Water supply, sanitation, waste management and environmental monitoring. Students design systems for clean water, wastewater treatment and pollution control.

A day as a student

A typical day blends lectures, practicals and group work, with attachment/internship in the field.

The trade offs

In its favour

Strong, well-paid demand.
Hands-on, impactful work.

Against it

Rigorous 5-year programme.
Site/field work required.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 331 business courses

Public63k to 120k

63k at Railway Training Institute120k at Bandari Maritime Academy

Annual 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

RTI 63K, KCP 67K, KESRA 100K, Bandari 120K/yr (campus.co.ke). Private: unverified.

HELB loans, county scholarships and institutional bursaries available.

Funding options

HELB Loan
Government Bursary
CDF Scholarship

Scholarships

4 recorded

Government TVET Capitation
GrantKsh 30,000Kenyan
All KUCCPS-placed students in public TVET institutions receive government capitation.
HELB TVET/Diploma Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Needy Kenyan students enrolled in accredited TVET diploma programmes.
NG-CDF Bursary
BursaryKsh 15,000Kenyan
Constituency-based bursary for needy students in respective constituencies.
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKsh 20,000Kenyan
Bursaries for needy students from their respective counties.

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C-
Alternative entry: A relevant Certificate or equivalent.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Cat20% of the mark
Continuous Assessment Tests for this programme.
Laboratory/Practical
Practical20% of the mark
Laboratory/Practical for this programme.
Design Project
Project20% of the mark
Design Project for this programme.
End-of-Semester Exam
Exam40% of the mark
End-of-Semester Exam for this programme.

Accreditation

Accredited by TVETA/CUE and relevant professional bodies.

Accredited by

Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority
NationalRequired
Accredits TVET programmes.
Engineers Board of Kenya
Professional
Professional registration for engineers.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

AI / Machine Learning Engineer
High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 400,000
Graduates can work as ai / machine learning engineer in Kenya's engineering & technology sector.
AI Engineer for Social Impact
High demandKsh 72,000 to Ksh 350,000
Graduates can work as ai engineer for social impact in Kenya's engineering & technology sector.
Agricultural Engineer
High demandKsh 48,000 to Ksh 150,000
Graduates can work as agricultural engineer in Kenya's engineering & technology sector.
Architectural Technologist
High demandKsh 48,000 to Ksh 250,000
Graduates can work as architectural technologist in Kenya's engineering & technology sector.
Architecture
High demandKsh 54,000 to Ksh 220,000
Graduates can work as architecture in Kenya's engineering & technology sector.
Aerospace Engineer
Medium demandKsh 72,000 to Ksh 300,000
Graduates can work as aerospace engineer in Kenya's engineering & technology sector.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates find opportunities across engineering & technology in Kenya's public, private and entrepreneurship sectors.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Adobe Illustrator
Creative
ANSYS
EngineeringPrimary
AutoCAD
Design software
ArcGIS
Gis software
Adobe Photoshop
Creative
Apache Spark (MLlib)
Big data
Port Management System
Logistics softwarePrimary
Software for managing port operations and cargo handling
Shipping Line Software
Logistics software
Software for vessel scheduling and freight management

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

The course is too theoretical with no practical value.
Programmes incorporate practical training, internships, and industry attachment to ensure graduates are job-ready.
You must have a related background to enrol.
Most programmes accept students from diverse academic backgrounds.
Graduates of this course earn very little.
Earnings grow steadily with experience, specialisation, and professional certification.