Kenya Hosts Multinational Operation Southern Readiness 2026

Bandari Maritime Academy (BMA) hosted the official opening of Operation Southern Readiness 2026, marking a significant milestone as Kenya hosts the multinational maritime security exercise for the first time.
Speaking during the opening ceremony, participants were drawn from the Kenya Navy, Combined Task Force (CTF) 154, maritime security agencies, and delegates representing several countries and maritime institutions.
The forum was graced by Commander Kenya Navy Base Mtongwe Brigadier William Kiprotich, Commander Combined Task Force 154 Commodore Andrea Bielli, CTF staff, Kenya Navy delegates, members of the BMA fraternity and other distinguished guests.
Bandari Maritime Academy underscored its mandate of developing competent maritime human capital to support Kenya’s maritime sector and advance the country’s Blue Economy agenda. The academy emphasized that maritime economic growth is closely linked to maritime security, noting that safe sea lanes, secure ports and lawful use of ocean resources are critical to sustainable fisheries, shipping, offshore energy, tourism and marine conservation.
Operation Southern Readiness 2026 was highlighted as a key platform that supports the academy’s role in strengthening maritime capacity, professionalism and cooperation across the maritime domain.
The exercise comes at a time when the Western Indian Ocean continues to play a critical role in global maritime trade, regional commerce and fisheries, while also facing emerging security threats such as piracy, drug trafficking, illegal fishing and other transnational maritime crimes.
Participants noted that enhancing interoperability, shared knowledge and professional capacity among maritime forces and agencies remains essential in addressing these challenges while promoting economic development in the region.
Operation Southern Readiness 2026 is expected to enhance regional collaboration, preparedness and collective responsibility among maritime stakeholders, contributing to a secure maritime environment that supports lawful trade and sustainable use of ocean resources.
Bandari Maritime Academy welcomed the delegates to the institution and to Mombasa, expressing confidence that the exercise will strengthen partnerships and build resilience within the maritime sector.