Sharjah Maritime Academy
Sharjah Maritime Academy is a UAE-based maritime higher education and training institution offering CAA-accredited bachelor degrees, an MSc, a diploma, and STCW/CoC professional courses, serving aspiring seafarers, international students, and working maritime professionals from its Khor Fakkan campus.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2023
- HeadquartersKhor Fakkan, United Arab Emirates
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Sharjah Maritime Academy does
Sharjah Maritime Academy (SMA) is a maritime higher education and training institution headquartered in Khor Fakkan, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, founded in 2023 and operating with 51-100 employees under the presidency of Sultan Bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi, the Ruler of Sharjah. The academy delivers a portfolio of four CAA-accredited four-year bachelor degrees (Marine Engineering Technology; Maritime Logistics and Supply Chain Management; Maritime Transport; Maritime Business), a two-year MSc in Maritime Operations Management launched in 2026, a Diploma in Marine Technical Operations, and professional STCW courses, STCW refresher courses, and Certificate of Competency (CoC) upgrade programs aligned with IMO and STCW 78 standards.
The technical platform is built around simulation-intensive pedagogy: full-mission navigational bridge simulators, mixed reality vessel handling systems, ECDIS, marine radar/ARPA, and CAD labs for marine engineering design. Course delivery runs on Canvas LMS, with a SharePoint-backed student intranet, an Oracle-based careers portal, and a public-facing online admissions system at apply.sma.ac.ae. Programs are accredited by the UAE Commission for Academic Accreditation and recognized by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, positioning SMA as one of the specialized institutions in the UAE's AED 135 billion maritime sector.
Revenue is generated through tuition and academic program fees (subscription/recurring, billed annually) and professional training services for working seafarers. The go-to-market combines a direct-to-consumer digital admissions funnel with event-driven recruitment via open days, campus tours, the IMRET conference, and education fairs. Customer segments are three-fold: UAE maritime industry entrants (primary), international students pursuing globally portable STCW-aligned qualifications, and working maritime professionals seeking CoC upgrades. No parent company, external equity investor, or government subsidy structure has been disclosed, though the president's role as Ruler of Sharjah implies sovereign alignment.
Sharjah Maritime Academy firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Sharjah Maritime Academy
- Legal name
- Sharjah Maritime Academy
- Website
- https://sma.ac.ae
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2023
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Sharjah Maritime Academy is a UAE-based maritime higher education and training institution offering CAA-accredited bachelor degrees, an MSc, a diploma, and STCW/CoC professional courses, serving aspiring seafarers, international students, and working maritime professionals from its Khor Fakkan campus.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Sharjah Maritime Academy industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Maritime Higher Education and Training
- NAICS
- Technical and Trade Schools (6115)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Navigation, Seamanship & Offshore Operations (EDAOANAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Maritime Safety, Security & Compliance (STCW/ISM/ISPS) (EDAOANAD), Merchant Marine & Deck Operations (EDAOANAA), Maritime Security Training & Drills (ISPS, Crew Training) (BPAKALAG)
Keywords
Where Sharjah Maritime Academy is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Khor Fakkan
- HQ country
- United Arab Emirates
- HQ region
- Middle East
Offices1 record
Markets served
Sharjah Maritime Academy business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Tuition and Academic Program Fees: Revenue generated from undergraduate, graduate, and diploma programs, including Bachelor of Marine Engineering Technology, Bachelor of Maritime Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Bachelor of Maritime Transport, Bachelor of Maritime Business, MSc in Maritime Operations Management, and Diploma in Marine Technical Operations.
- Professional Training Programs: Revenue from STCW courses, STCW refresher courses, CoC upgrades and licenses, and other maritime professional training programs for industry professionals.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Academic Programs - Tuition Fees |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels9 records
Sharjah Maritime Academy product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Sharjah Maritime Academy is a maritime higher-education and training institution that delivers accredited bachelor degrees, a postgraduate MSc, a vocational diploma, and STCW/CoC professional training courses. Programs cover marine engineering, maritime transport/navigation, maritime logistics and supply chain, and maritime business, and are aligned with STCW and IMO international standards for seafarer certification.
Product overview
Sharjah Maritime Academy offers a comprehensive portfolio of maritime education programs consisting of four undergraduate bachelor degrees, one graduate MSc program, and one vocational diploma. The undergraduate programs include the Bachelor of Marine Engineering Technology (BMET) preparing students for marine engineering careers and 3rd Engineer Certificate, the Bachelor of Maritime Logistics and Supply Chain Management (MLSCM) focused on logistics and supply chain expertise, the Bachelor of Maritime Transport (BMT) for navigation and ship operations leading to 2nd Officer Watchkeeper Certificate, and the Bachelor of Maritime Business (MB) combining business management with maritime specialization. The MSc in Maritime Operations Management is the graduate-level offering for future maritime leaders. The Diploma in Marine Technical Operations provides vocational training for entry-level maritime roles. All programs are accredited by the UAE Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA) and aligned with STCW 78 and IMO model courses.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Bachelor of Marine Engineering Technology (BMET) A four-year bachelor program preparing graduates for the Watchkeeper Certificate of Competency (3rd Engineer Certificate), combining theoretical knowledge with practical sea training and aligned with international maritime standards (STCW).
- Bachelor of Maritime Logistics and Supply Chain Management (MLSCM) A four-year bachelor program equipping students with expertise in logistics, supply chain management, and maritime operations, covering procurement, production, warehousing, distribution, and customer relationship management with focus on the maritime sector.
- Bachelor of Maritime Transport (BMT) A four-year bachelor program focusing on advanced navigation techniques, ship operations, and maritime safety; graduates meet entry requirements for the 2nd Officer Watchkeeper Certificate and the program is aligned with STCW and IMO standards.
- Bachelor of Maritime Business (MB) A four-year bachelor program combining business management skills with specialized maritime expertise, preparing graduates for careers in international shipping, port operations, logistics, ship finance, insurance, and maritime trade law.
- Diploma in Marine Technical Operations (MTO) A vocational diploma program equipping students with essential skills in Marine Technical Operations to meet maritime industry requirements in maritime sectors and ports.
- MSc in Maritime Operations Management A two-year postgraduate program designed to prepare future leaders in maritime operations management, ports, shipping, maritime logistics, and global supply chain operations, aligned with the UAE's vision for a competitive maritime sector.
- STCW Courses Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) professional training courses aligned with IMO requirements, serving seafarers who need initial certification in STCW-mandated competencies.
- STCW Refresher Courses Refresher STCW courses designed for working seafarers to renew their existing STCW certifications in line with regulatory requirements.
- CoC Upgrades & Licenses Certificate of Competency (CoC) upgrade and license programs enabling serving maritime officers and engineers to progress to higher certification levels.
Quantifiable outcome
- Graduates are eligible for Watchkeeper Certificate of Competency (2nd Officer for Maritime Transport, 3rd Engineer for Marine Engineering)
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Sharjah Maritime Academy
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Sharjah Maritime Academy technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
AI capability7 records
Feature5 records
Sharjah Maritime Academy partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators6 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Sharjah Maritime Academy competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- SUNY Maritime College: U.S. maritime academy offering USCG-licensed degree programs in marine engineering, maritime transportation, and maritime business, plus STCW endorsement. Comparable in scale, program mix, and credentialing focus to SMA.
- Tolani Maritime Institute: India-based private maritime academy offering marine engineering and nautical science degree programs aligned with IMO STCW. Comparable as a private-sector maritime higher-education institution targeting international cadets.
- Singapore Maritime Academy: Singapore Polytechnic's maritime academy offering diploma and degree programs in nautical studies, marine engineering, and maritime business with STCW alignment. Comparable as an Asia-based maritime education and training provider targeting the same regional maritime workforce.
- Marine Institute (Memorial University): Canada's Marine Institute offers diplomas, degrees, and STCW training across marine engineering, nautical science, and maritime logistics using bridge and engine-room simulators. Highly comparable academic portfolio and simulator-based delivery to SMA.
- World Maritime University: IMO-founded graduate maritime university in Malmö, Sweden, offering MSc and PhD programs in maritime affairs, maritime safety, and ocean sustainability — the most established global maritime postgraduate institution and a direct competitor for SMA's MSc cohort and international student pool.
- Australian Maritime College (University of Tasmania): AMC is a dedicated maritime college within the University of Tasmania offering degrees in nautical science, marine engineering, maritime logistics, and STCW-aligned professional courses. Closest analogue to SMA's full degree + STCW + simulator-based model outside Europe.
- IMO International Maritime Law Institute: IMO-sponsored specialized postgraduate institute in Malta delivering master's-level maritime law and policy training. Comparable to SMA as a small, specialized, UN-affiliated maritime academy competing for international postgraduate students.
- Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Maritime College (UAE): UAE-based maritime college in Abu Dhabi offering marine engineering and nautical science programs aligned with STCW. The most direct in-country peer and competitor for UAE-domiciled maritime students and faculty.
Emerging players
- Maersk Training: Maersk's commercial maritime training arm offering STCW courses, simulator-based safety training, and crew competence programs globally. Comparable on STCW and simulator training but lacks the full degree portfolio that distinguishes SMA.
Broad incumbents
- Cranfield University (School of Aerospace, Transport and Manufacturing): Cranfield offers maritime-related postgraduate and executive programs as part of a broader university portfolio with established simulation infrastructure. Comparable on advanced simulator-based maritime research and MSc-level executive education.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Sharjah Maritime Academy social profiles
Digital presenceSharjah Maritime Academy compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Sharjah Maritime Academy financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Sharjah Maritime Academy leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles17 records
Sharjah Maritime Academy funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Sharjah Maritime Academy M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Sharjah Maritime Academy
What does Sharjah Maritime Academy do?
Sharjah Maritime Academy is a maritime higher-education and training institution that delivers accredited bachelor degrees, a postgraduate MSc, a vocational diploma, and STCW/CoC professional training courses. Programs cover marine engineering, maritime transport/navigation, maritime logistics and supply chain, and maritime business, and are aligned with STCW and IMO international standards for seafarer certification.
Is Sharjah Maritime Academy a public or private company?
Sharjah Maritime Academy is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Sharjah Maritime Academy founded?
Sharjah Maritime Academy was founded in 2023. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Sharjah Maritime Academy based?
Sharjah Maritime Academy is headquartered in Khor Fakkan, United Arab Emirates, in the Middle East region.
How does Sharjah Maritime Academy make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Tuition and Academic Program Fees are the primary driver. The others are professional Training Programs.
Who are Sharjah Maritime Academy's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are SUNY Maritime College, Tolani Maritime Institute, Singapore Maritime Academy, Marine Institute (Memorial University), World Maritime University, Australian Maritime College (University of Tasmania), IMO International Maritime Law Institute and Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Maritime College (UAE). Maersk Training is listed as an emerging player. Cranfield University (School of Aerospace, Transport and Manufacturing) is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Sharjah Maritime Academy have an API?
No public API is recorded for Sharjah Maritime Academy.
What industry is Sharjah Maritime Academy in?
Sharjah Maritime Academy's product category is Maritime Higher Education and Training. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAOANAE, Navigation, Seamanship & Offshore Operations, with a secondary code of EDAOANAD, Maritime Safety, Security & Compliance (STCW/ISM/ISPS). Its NAICS code is 6115 and its SIC code is 8200.