The Kenya National Shipping Line Ltd was established under the Companies Act (Cap 486) in 1987 as the National Carrier through a joint venture between the Government of Kenya (through Kenya Ports Authority) and two international strategic partners Unimar and DEG from Germany. In 1997, KNSL reorganized its shareholding on-boarding a strategic partner Mediterranean Shipping Company (through Heywood) to strengthen and expand global competitiveness in shipping.
In 2022 there was restructuring of KNSL which resulted in two shareholders and an expanded mandate namely; Shipping, Clearing & Forwarding, Warehousing & Cargo Consolidation, Recruitment and Placement of seafarers, Terminal operations, Ship agency/ Management and Oil & Gas transportation.
