NAIROBI, Kenya Jun 18 – President William Ruto toured the scientific vessel operated by the Norwegian Institute of Marine Research is equipped with seven state-of-the-art laboratories and was built in 2016.
It is named after renowned oceanographer and zoology professor Dr. Fridtjof Nansen, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1922 for his humanitarian work during World War I.
The state-of-the-art UN-flagged research vessel docked in Mombasa for an 18-day marine research expedition along the Kenyan coast in the run-up to the Our Ocean Conference, conducting vital ecosystem and fisheries research.
The vessel recently completed the Kenyan leg of a research expedition from April 24 to May 5, 2025. The mission focused on assessing fish biomass, studying oceanographic conditions, and evaluating the overall health of marine ecosystems within Kenya’s coastal waters and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
The findings are expected to inform sustainable marine resource and fisheries management strategies.
In his speech, read by the Principal Secretary, State Department for Blue Economy, Betsy Njagi during the Port call of the vessel and celebration of the 50th anniversary of the EAF-Nansen Programme at the Mbaraki Wharf.
Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Cabinet Secretary (CS) Hassan Joho says the monumental survey symbolizes Kenya’s commitment to charting new frontiers in pursuit of a science-driven, sustainable Blue Economy.
