• Promotion of Maritime and Shipping Industry
• Maritime Transport management
• Ship Registration in Kenya
• Marine Cargo Insurance
• Establishment of effective and Admiralty Jurisdiction
• Development of a Central Data and Information centre
• Human Resource Development, Management and Research in support of Kenya's Shipping Industry
• Monitoring and advising on usage of Kenya’s Exclusive Economic Zone in collaboration with other actors
• Development of a Central Data and Information Centre
• Co-ordinating Maritime Spatial Planning and Integrated Coastal Zone Management;
• Protection and Regulation of Marine Ecosystems;
• Develop national capacity for Kenya’s maritime sector;
• Promote and facilitate placement of Kenyans in the global maritime labour market;
• Protection of the Marine Resources in EEZ;
• Monitoring and Advising on Usage of Kenya's Exclusive Economic Zone;
• Ocean Governance and marine management
• Government Clearing and Forwarding Services

i. Formulation of shipping and maritime policies and legislation so as to ensure: Safety of life and ships at sea and at inland waters;

• Prevention of marine pollution;
• Promotion of Ship and Port Facility Security;
• Facilitation of international maritime traffic;
• Suppression of unlawful acts like piracy against ports serving international traffic;
• To empower local ports and ship related operators to adequately participate in commercial shipping;
• Regulation of commercial shipping sector having regard to standards, quality, cost and distribution of services;
• Promotion of maritime education and training;
• Regulation of coastal and inland water ways;
• Ensure policies are harmonized with International maritime policies and conventions/instruments.

ii. Coordinate and monitor development projects relating to ports, ferries and others in line with vision 2030 and the ‘Big Four Initiatives’ on safety, security and environment;

iii. To study, review and advise on drafting of laws relating to ports and shipping and to ratify maritime conventions;

iv. To coordinate International, regional, bilateral shipping transport and maritime Agreements (IMO,ISCOS,IORA, IOMOU on port state control) amongst others; and

v. To co-ordinate inter-ministerial and agency meetings to ensure required relevant policies are developed and harmonized.