Global Directory of Maritime Colleges and Academies (2025–2026 Guide)

A practical, STCW-aware roadmap to nautical science, marine engineering, maritime logistics, and port-focused degrees—plus a structured global list by region.

Maritime education is not a niche—it is the talent pipeline behind the world’s ports, ship operators, offshore energy, shipyards, classification, marine insurance, and the regulatory ecosystem that keeps international trade moving. Yet for prospective cadets, parents, and even mid-career professionals, the maritime education landscape can feel fragmented: some schools focus on STCW-aligned officer training, others specialise in marine engineering, naval architecture, maritime law, logistics, or ocean sciences, and many sit somewhere in between.

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What counts as a maritime college today?

In practice, “maritime college” can mean one of four archetypes:

1) Officer formation academies (deck and engine)

These are the classical institutions producing deck officers (navigation/shiphandling) and engine officers (propulsion, power generation, automation). They often combine academic study with cadetship and sea-time, and are usually designed to align with national maritime administrations and STCW requirements.

2) Maritime universities (multi-discipline)

These institutions run broader portfolios: maritime transport, port management, logistics, naval architecture, marine engineering, oceanography, maritime policy, and in some cases maritime law and economics. Many belong to global education networks such as the International Association of Maritime Universities (IAMU).

3) Professional training centres (post-sea and short courses)

These deliver STCW short courses, advanced firefighting, tanker endorsements, DP/ETO modules, bridge/team resource management, and professional licences. They can be excellent—especially for upskilling—but they are not always “degree-awarding” institutions.

4) Hybrid institutes and polytechnics

Common in Africa and parts of Asia/Oceania: they blend vocational pathways, engineering diplomas, and maritime operations programmes geared to local labour markets and port economies.

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Programme types: pre-sea vs post-sea, degree vs licence pathways

Before you compare institutions, clarify your target outcome:

If you want to sail as an officer

Your path is typically:
Pre-sea programme → STCW short courses → cadetship/sea-time → CoC exams (national administration).
The school matters because it influences your access to cadet berths, simulator quality, and the credibility of your training record.

If you want a shore-based maritime career

Degrees in maritime logistics, port management, marine engineering, naval architecture, maritime safety, environmental compliance, and maritime policy can be more valuable than licence-driven programmes—especially if you aim for port authorities, ship management, energy, consulting, insurance, or government roles.

If you are already a seafarer (post-sea)

Prioritise training centres and universities with flexible modules, online options, and pathways into MSc/MBA/PG diplomas (for example, specialised postgraduate maritime education at institutions such as WMU).

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The STCW factor: what to verify before enrolling

The STCW Convention prescribes minimum standards that Parties must meet or exceed, and it is the anchor behind “internationally portable” seafarer certification.

National administration approval for the programme (not only the school’s marketing).
STCW course mapping (which STCW functions and competence tables are covered).
Cadetship / sea-time support (MOUs with shipowners, training berths, alumni pipelines).
Simulator assets (bridge, engine-room, GMDSS, ECDIS, cargo/terminal simulators).
Graduate outcomes (employment, licence pass rates, placement partnerships).
Language of instruction and compliance evidence (especially if you plan international mobility).

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How to shortlist a maritime college (a decision framework)

Use this short framework to avoid choosing on “rankings” alone:

Step 1: Decide your career “lane”

Deck officer (navigation/bridge)
Engine officer (marine engineering/ETO)
Maritime logistics/ports/supply chain
Naval architecture/ship design
Maritime safety/regulation/environment
Ocean science/fisheries/marine tech

Step 2: Choose the qualification logic

Licence-first (CoC path)
Degree-first (BSc/MSc)
Hybrid (degree + licence pathways)

Step 3: Validate institutional credibility

STCW alignment and national approval (for sea-going)
IAMU membership or equivalent academic networks (for university pathways)
Industry partnerships (shipowners, ports, training ships, placement)
Evidence of continuous training updates (new fuels, digital navigation, cyber, ETS/CII literacy)

Step 4: Assess “total cost of outcome”

Not just tuition—include cadetship access, relocation, time-to-licence, and the risk of graduating without sea-time.

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Global directory of maritime colleges (refined from your list)

Important note on scope and updates: The directory below is refined from the dataset you provided (which closely matches widely circulated public compilations). It is substantial but not guaranteed exhaustive and can change (closures, mergers, renaming, new campuses). Treat it as a structured starting point, then confirm details on the institution’s official website and with the relevant maritime administration.

Africa

Algeria

École Technique de Formation et d’Instruction Maritimes de Béjaïa (Béjaïa)
École Nationale Supérieure Maritime (Bou Ismaïl)
École Technique de Formation et d’Instruction Maritimes de Mostaganem (Mostaganem)

Egypt

Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (AASTMT) (Alexandria; multi-campus)

Eritrea

Massawa College of Marine Science and Technology (Massawa)

Ethiopia

Ethiopian Maritime Training Institute (Bahir Dar)

Ghana

Regional Maritime University (RMU) (Accra/Nungua)

Kenya

Bandari Maritime Academy (Mombasa)
Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (Juja)
Maritime & Management Institute of East Africa (Mombasa)
Technical University of Mombasa (Mombasa; satellite campuses noted in source list)

Morocco

Institut Supérieur des Pêches Maritimes (Agadir)
Institut de Technologie des Pêches Maritimes (Al Hoceïma)
Institut Supérieur d’Études Maritimes (Casablanca)
Institut de Technologie des Pêches Maritimes (Larache)
Additional locations noted in source list: Safi; Tan-Tan (programme availability varies)

Mozambique

Escola Superior de Ciências Náuticas (Maputo)

Namibia

Namibian Maritime and Fisheries Institute (Walvis Bay)
Namibia University of Science and Technology (Windhoek)

Nigeria

Maritime Academy of Nigeria (Oron)
Nigeria Maritime University (Okerenkoko)
Delta State School of Marine Technology (Burutu)
Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology (Lagos)
Additional institutes in the source list: Bonny (Maritime Center of Excellence), Warri (Global Maritime Academy), and others (verify current status and approvals)

South Africa

Cape Peninsula University of Technology (Cape Town)
Durban University of Technology (Durban)
Nelson Mandela University (Gqeberha)
Sector training entities in the source list include maritime schools and academies (verify programme awarding authority)

Tanzania

Dar es Salaam Maritime Institute (Dar es Salaam)

Americas

Argentina

Escuela Nacional de Náutica Manuel Belgrano (Buenos Aires)

Brazil

Centro de Instrução Almirante Brás de Aguiar (Belém)
Federal University of Pará (Belém; satellite campuses referenced)
Centro de Instrução Almirante Graça Aranha (Rio de Janeiro)
Escola Naval (Rio de Janeiro)
Additional Rio institutions in the list: Fundação de Estudos do Mar; UFRJ; others (confirm specific maritime departments)

Canada

Marine Institute – Memorial University of Newfoundland (St. John’s)
Canadian Coast Guard College (Westmount)
Institut Maritime du Québec (Rimouski)
BCIT (North Vancouver)
Georgian College (Owen Sound)
Nova Scotia Community College (Port Hawkesbury)
Holland College (Summerside)
New Brunswick Community College (St. Andrews)
Online option listed: Virtual Maritime Academy (Quebec City)

Ecuador

Universidad del Pacífico (Guayaquil)

Jamaica

Caribbean Maritime University (Kingston)

Mexico

Escuela Náutica Mercante de Mazatlán (Mazatlán)
Escuela Náutica Mercante de Tampico (Tampico)
Escuela Náutica Mercante de Veracruz (Veracruz)
Centro de Educación Náutica de Campeche (Ciudad del Carmen)

Panama

International Maritime University of Panama (Panama City)

Peru

Escuela Nacional de Marina Mercante (Callao)

Trinidad and Tobago

University of Trinidad and Tobago (Chaguaramas)

United States (academy structure matters)

The U.S. officer pipeline is anchored by the six state maritime academies plus the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (Kings Point), as described by MARAD.
From your list (selected, with notes):

State maritime academies

SUNY Maritime College (The Bronx, NY)
Massachusetts Maritime Academy (Buzzards Bay, MA)
Maine Maritime Academy (Castine, ME)
Texas A&M Maritime Academy (Galveston, TX)
California Maritime Academy (Vallejo, CA)
Great Lakes Maritime Academy (Traverse City, MI; part of Northwestern Michigan College)

Federal service academy

United States Merchant Marine Academy (Kings Point, NY)

Professional training centres (non-degree or licence/endorsement focused)

Maritime Professional Training (Fort Lauderdale)
MITAGS (Linthicum) and related merged entities (as listed)
Additional regional academies and training providers (verify approvals and course acceptance)

Asia

Bangladesh

Bangladesh Marine Academy (Chittagong; satellite campuses listed)
Bangladesh Maritime University (main campus cited as Chittagong)
Additional institutes from the list: National Maritime Institute; Bangladesh Maritime Training Institute; others (verify current accreditation status)

China (large, multi-university ecosystem)

Dalian Maritime University (Dalian)
Shanghai Maritime University (Shanghai)
Ocean University of China (Qingdao)
Wuhan University of Technology (Wuhan)
Jimei University (Xiamen)
Plus ocean-focused universities listed: Zhejiang Ocean University, Guangdong Ocean University, Hainan Tropical Ocean University, etc.

Cyprus

University of Kyrenia / Girne American University (Kyrenia)

Georgia

Batumi maritime institutions listed: Batumi State Maritime Academy, Batumi Navigation Teaching University, and others (Batumi)

Hong Kong

Hong Kong Polytechnic University – Logistics and Maritime Studies (Hong Kong)
Maritime Services Training Institute (listed)

India (one of the world’s largest MET ecosystems)

Your list includes a large set of academies and institutes; the key structural anchor is the Indian Maritime University (IMU) (multi-campus).
Notable entries from the list:

Indian Maritime University (Chennai; satellite campuses listed)
Tolani Maritime Institute (Pune/Lonavala region)
Marine Engineering and Research Institute (MERI) (Kolkata; also Mumbai campus)
Anglo-Eastern training entities (Mumbai/Karjat)
Numerous regional academies (Kochi, Kolkata, Navi Mumbai, Visakhapatnam, etc.)—verify specialisations and approval pathways

Indonesia

Multiple polytechnics and academies listed across Jakarta, Surabaya, Semarang, Makassar, Batam, and others (maritime polytechnic structure is prominent)

Iran (explicitly included in your list)

University of Hormozgan (Bandar Abbas)
Chabahar Maritime University (Chabahar)
Khorramshahr University of Marine Science and Technology (Khorramshahr)
Persian Gulf University (Bushehr)
Additional universities with maritime/engineering relevance listed (verify department-level maritime offerings)
IRISL Maritime Training Institute (IRISL Group – Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines)
NITC Training Centre (National Iranian Tanker Company – NITC)

Japan (strong national college network)

Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology (Tokyo)
National Colleges of Maritime Technology listed (Hiroshima/Oshima/Toba/Toyama/Yuge, etc.)
Japan Coast Guard Academy (Kure) (directory anchor)

Jordan

Jordan Academy for Maritime Studies (Amman)
Aqaba Centre Maritime Education and Training (Aqaba)

Kazakhstan

Kazakh-British Technical University (Almaty)

Lebanon

International Maritime Academy (Kaslik)
City University of Tripoli (Tripoli)

Malaysia

Universiti Kuala Lumpur Malaysian Institute of Marine Engineering Technology (Lumut)
Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (Kuala Nerus)
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (Iskandar Puteri)
Malaysian Maritime Academy (Kuala Sungai Baru; listed as owned by MISC Berhad)

Myanmar

Myanmar Maritime University (Thanlyin)
Additional training centres listed (Yangon)

Oman

International Maritime College (Sohar)

Pakistan

Pakistan Marine Academy (Karachi)
Maritime Training Institute (Karachi)
Pakistan Navy School of Logistics and Management (listed)

Philippines (major global seafarer pipeline)

Your list includes many institutions; notable examples:

Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA) (San Narciso)
Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific (Mariveles)
John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University (Iloilo City)
Lyceum of the Philippines University (Batangas City)
Numerous regional colleges and training institutes across Luzon/Visayas/Mindanao (verify programme approvals and cadetship links)

Russia

Maritime State University (Vladivostok)

South Korea

Korea Maritime and Ocean University (Busan)
Mokpo National Maritime University (Mokpo)

Saudi Arabia

King Abdulaziz University (Jeddah; maritime-related offerings listed)

Seychelles

Seychelles Maritime Academy (Providence)

Singapore

Nanyang Technological University (Jurong West; maritime/tech relevance)
National University of Singapore (Queenstown; maritime/logistics relevance)
Singapore Polytechnic; Singapore Institute of Technology (listed)

Sri Lanka

Mahapola Training Institute (Colombo; overseen by ports authority per list)
Ocean University of Sri Lanka (listed)
Additional institutes listed (Moratuwa, Trincomalee, etc.)

Taiwan

National Taiwan Ocean University (Keelung)
Taipei University of Marine Technology (Taipei)
Additional universities listed (Kaohsiung, Sizihwan)

Thailand

Merchant Marine Training Center (Bangkok)
Asian Maritime Technological College (Chonburi)
Others listed (Phuket, Si Racha, etc.)

Turkey (also appears in Europe list due to transcontinental position)

Piri Reis University (Istanbul)
Istanbul Technical University; Yıldız Technical University (listed)
Regional universities with maritime offerings (İzmir, Trabzon, etc.)

UAE

Sharjah Maritime Academy (Sharjah)

Vietnam

Vietnam Maritime University (Haiphong)

Europe

Belgium

Antwerp Maritime Academy (Antwerp)

Bulgaria

Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy (Varna)
Technical University of Varna (listed)

Croatia

University of Dubrovnik; University of Rijeka; University of Split; University of Zadar (listed)

Denmark

Aarhus School of Marine and Technical Engineering
Copenhagen School of Marine Engineering and Technology Management
Fredericia College of Marine and Technical Engineering (campuses listed)
Marstal Navigationsskole; Svendborg International Maritime Academy (listed)

Estonia

Estonian Maritime Academy (Tallinn; part of Tallinn University of Technology per list)

Finland

Multiple universities of applied sciences listed (Åland, Kotka, Rauma, Turku)

France

École nationale supérieure maritime (Le Havre)

Germany

Maritime-relevant applied science universities listed (Bremen, Elsfleth, Leer, Flensburg, Wismar)
Hamburg University of Technology – Institute for Maritime Logistics (listed)

Greece

National Technical University of Athens (listed)
University of Piraeus; University of the Aegean; Hellenic Naval Academy (listed)
Merchant Marine Academy network (Ermoupoli and associated campuses listed)

Ireland

National Maritime College of Ireland (Ringaskiddy)

Italy

University of Genoa (Genoa)
Italian Shipping Academy / Italian Academy of the Merchant Marine (Genoa)
Italian Naval Academy (Livorno)
Parthenope University of Naples; University of Trieste; others listed

Latvia / Lithuania

Latvian Maritime Academy (Riga); Liepāja Maritime College (Liepāja)
Klaipėda University and Lithuanian Maritime Academy (Klaipėda)

Malta

Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (Paola)

Netherlands

STC Group (Rotterdam and other campuses listed)
Maritime Institute Willem Barentsz (Terschelling)
Other vocational and applied science colleges listed (Amsterdam, Harlingen, Vlissingen, etc.)

Norway

Ålesund University College; University of Tromsø; other institutions listed

Poland

Gdynia Maritime University (Gdynia)
Maritime University of Szczecin (Szczecin)

Portugal

Escola Superior Náutica Infante Dom Henrique (Oeiras)

Romania

Constanta Maritime University; Mircea cel Bătrân Naval Academy; others listed

Russia (European-side institutions listed)

Admiral Makarov State Maritime Academy (St. Petersburg)
Admiral Ushakov Maritime State University (Novorossiysk)
Astrakhan State Technical University; others listed

Spain

Nautical and naval engineering schools through major universities (A Coruña, Barcelona/UPC, Cádiz, Gijón, Madrid, Santander, Tenerife, etc.)

Sweden

Chalmers University of Technology (Gothenburg)
Linnaeus University Kalmar Maritime Academy (Kalmar)
World Maritime University (WMU) (Malmö; postgraduate)

Ukraine

Odesa Maritime Academy; Odesa National Maritime University; Kherson State Maritime Academy; others listed

United Kingdom

University-linked maritime centres and colleges listed (Greenwich, Strathclyde, Plymouth, Southampton/Warsash, City of Glasgow College, etc.)
MLA College (listed)

Oceania

Australia

Australian Maritime College (AMC), University of Tasmania (Launceston/Beauty Point)
South Metropolitan TAFE (Fremantle; campuses listed)
TAFE NSW (Newcastle)
Additional private training providers listed (Perth, Murarrie, etc.)

Pacific Island states and territories (training capacity is strategically important)

Your list includes:

Fiji Maritime Academy (Suva)
Kiribati Marine Training Centre (Betio) and Fisheries Training Centre (Tarawa)
Marshall Islands Fisheries and Nautical Training Centre (Majuro)
Papua New Guinea Maritime College (Madang)
Tuvalu Maritime Training Institute (Funafuti)
Tonga Maritime Polytechnic Institute (Nukuʻalofa)
Samoa National University (Apia)
New Caledonia École des métiers de la mer (Nouméa)
French Polynesia maritime training school (Papeete)
Vanuatu National University Maritime College (Luganville)
These institutions are often pivotal for regional labour mobility and fisheries/offshore skills.

New Zealand

Manukau Institute of Technology (Auckland)
Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (Nelson) and related institutes listed

Careers after maritime college (sea-going and shore-based)

A modern maritime degree can lead to two broad universes:

Sea-going careers

Deck officer → Chief Mate / Master
Marine engineer → Chief Engineer
Electro-Technical Officer (ETO)
Specialist endorsements: tanker, LNG/LPG, DP, ice navigation, etc.

Shore-based careers (growing fast)

Ship management (technical/commercial/HSQE)
Port operations and terminal management
Maritime decarbonisation (CII/ETS readiness, fuel transition projects, energy systems)
Marine insurance / H&M / P&I claims support
Classification, surveying, auditing
Maritime law, compliance, PSC/flag administration support
Maritime digital (e-navigation, fleet performance, cyber risk)

For many readers, the most strategic choice is a programme that keeps both doors open: a credible technical base plus management/logistics literacy.

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FAQs

Is every “maritime academy” automatically STCW compliant?

No. STCW is implemented through national administrations, and the acceptance of training depends on programme approval and documented compliance. Always verify the programme’s approval pathway and how it maps to STCW competence requirements.

What is IAMU and why should I care?

IAMU is a global network of maritime universities focused on Maritime Education and Training collaboration and standards improvement. Membership is not a licence, but it is a useful academic credibility signal for universities with international engagement.

What is the fastest route to becoming an officer?

“Fastest” depends on your country’s certification system, cadetship access, and training structure. In many systems, sea-time availability is the critical bottleneck—not classroom time.

Should I choose a maritime university or a training centre?

If you need a CoC pathway (deck/engine), you usually need an approved officer-training programme plus sea-time. If you already have a CoC and want to upgrade, training centres and postgraduate universities can be more efficient.

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References

International Maritime Organization (IMO) — STCW Convention overview.
International Association of Maritime Universities (IAMU) — About IAMU.
MARAD (U.S. DOT) — Maritime education / academies overview.
World Maritime University (WMU) — About WMU and IMO relationship.
AASTMT official website (Egypt).
Regional Maritime University (Ghana) official website.
Antwerp Maritime Academy official website.
Australian Maritime College (AMC) official website.
Source directory baseline used for structuring the list.

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