Vol. 11, Issue 9, Part E (2025)

Abstract
In the face of intensifying maritime regulations and operational volatility, Kenyan shipping firms are embedding risk management into strategic planning as a core element of resilience, driven by rising compliance costs that now account for up to 30% of operational expenses. This study examines the impact of risk management as a strategic lever for resilience on the performance of shipping companies in Kenya’s increasingly regulated maritime sector. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research analyses data from 172 respondents from shipping companies in Kenya, revealing a positive association between structured risk practices and key firm performance indicators, including customer service, internal efficiency, and organizational learning. The highest-rated statement was that systematic risk assessment facilitates organizational learning and growth, with a mean score of 4.05 and a standard deviation of 1.05, indicating strong agreement among Kenyan shipping companies that risk management contributes directly to internal development and strategic resilience. While risk management is embedded across operational functions in Kenyan shipping companies, its direct financial benefits are perceived as inconsistent or less easily quantified. The results provide empirical support for Organizational Resilience Theory in an African context and recommends systematic integration of risk management into the strategic processes to bolster resilience in Kenya’s highly regulated shipping sector.