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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.

Duration
2-3 years
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 120,000
Ksh 240,000 to Ksh 360,000 total
Job market
Moderate
Market demand for graduates

The short answer

What it costs
Up to Ksh 120,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 240,000 to Ksh 360,000 for the whole course.The detail
Who can get in
A KCSE mean grade of C- or above. There is another way in without it.The detail
How long, and when
Takes 2-3 years, full-time, part-time, with 3 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 6 institutions.The detail
Where it leads
8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Overhead Transmission Technician, at 10 out of 100.The detail

The programme

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

Overview

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.

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 favourAgainst it
Strong, well-paid demand.Rigorous 5-year programme.
Hands-on, impactful work.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.

Scholarships you could apply for

6 usable where it is taught
Save one and be reminded before it closes

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade
C-minimum entry
Alternative entry

A relevant Certificate or equivalent.

When it next starts

Taught at 6 institutions
January 20276 institutions

Including Pioneer International University, Makueni University College, Mount Kenya University.

May 20276 institutions

Including Pioneer International University, Makueni University College, Mount Kenya University.

September 20276 institutions

Including Pioneer International University, Makueni University College, Mount Kenya University.

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

  • Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority

    NationalRequired

    Accredits TVET programmes.

  • Engineers Board of Kenya

    Professional

    Professional registration for engineers.

Accredited by TVETA/CUE and relevant professional bodies.

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

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.

Further reading

Read next