Nairobi — The drive to improve security at sea received a major boost after Monday's opening of a maritime centre of excellence in Mombasa.

The centre, which is located at Bandari Training College and is the first of its kind in Africa, will provide training to both maritime officers and civilians on security at sea.

During the ceremony, United States ambassador Michael Ranneberger said the centre would also focus on protecting marine environments.

"Opening this centre of excellence and bringing our armed forces and civilian agencies together is an example of the growing partnership between the US Government, Kenya and other nations in the region," Mr Ranneberger said.

According to the envoy, the collaborative effort will benefit countries in the region on various maritime issues, including the war against piracy and the campaign to protect the environment from degradation.

Training of coast guards will also be provided. Courses on port operations, fisheries and customs will also be offered.

Reaffirming his support for President Barack Obama's speech on a new beginning between the US and the Muslim world, Mr Ranneberger said the centre, whose curriculum was partly developed by the US Naval War College in collaboration with the Global Maritime and Transportation School and the Bandari College, was part of the new partnerships.

"One of my reasons for being in Mombasa is to talk about the speech that President Obama made in Cairo about the new beginning with the Muslim world.

"The US is out to make new partnerships that will help break stereotypes," he said.

Giving Somalia as an example of a Muslim nation with which the US is promoting reconciliation, Mr Ranneberger said their efforts lay in supporting the legitimate government and urging the African Union to send more forces to the war-torn country.

"Piracy cannot be resolved if Somalia does not have a stable government with authority to exercise democracy," Mr Ranneberger said. He expressed hope that the US president's speech would be a basis for new dialogue.

Training for the first batch kicked off Monday and will go on for three weeks.

Those attending were drawn from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Egypt, Seychelles, Morocco, Senegal, Comoros and Mauritius.