Cambridge Academy of Transport

What Cambridge Academy of Transport does

Cambridge Academy of Transport is a privately held, for-profit education company incorporated in England and Wales, founded in 1985 and headquartered in Great Shelford, Cambridge. The company delivers maritime education and training programmes to senior management and executives at shipping companies, chartering firms, ship managers, trading houses, banks, law firms, insurance providers, and adjacent commodity and logistics organisations. It operates through a UK office and a Singapore-based subsidiary (CATZ Maritime Pte Ltd) that supports Middle East and Asia course delivery.

The core product is a curriculum covering shipping operations, chartering (dry cargo, tanker, LNG), ship finance, maritime law, marine insurance, laytime/demurrage, and ship management. Programmes are delivered across five channels: residential courses at University of Cambridge venues (Selwyn College, Madingley Hall, The Møller Centre); London short courses at the Mercure Hyde Park Hotel and The Baltic Exchange; non-residential courses in Dubai and Singapore at local hotels; distance learning modules with tutor supervision; and synchronous online instructor-led courses (limited to roughly 15 participants per cohort). There is no proprietary technology platform; delivery is human-tutor led, supplemented by case studies, workshops, and business simulation exercises.

Cambridge Academy of Transport monetises through per-delegate course fees, with UK programmes priced between roughly £1,500 and £8,820 (inclusive of VAT where applicable), overseas programmes between USD2,200 and USD4,800, and discounted bundle offers (e.g., 'Book Three — Pay for Two' on LNG programmes). Revenue is also generated through bespoke/profiled corporate training delivered at client-preferred venues worldwide, and through a mature distance learning catalogue available globally. The company sells primarily through its website (catz.co.uk), email communications, and a LinkedIn alumni group, with growth driven by word-of-mouth referrals from a network of over 4,000 alumni that includes senior executives across the global shipping industry.

Name

Cambridge Academy of Transport

Legal name

Cambridge Academy of Transport Ltd

Website

https://catz.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Cambridge Academy of Transport, founded 1985 and headquartered in Cambridge, UK, provides maritime education and training programmes to senior management and executives across shipping, banking, legal, and insurance sectors, delivered through residential courses in Cambridge and London, regional courses in Dubai and Singapore, distance learning, and bespoke corporate training.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Maritime Education and Training

NAICS

Water Transportation (483)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Merchant Marine & Deck Operations (EDAOANAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Navigation, Seamanship & Offshore Operations (EDAOANAE)

Keywords

• Maritime education
• Shipping industry training
• Transport management courses
• Executive logistics training
• Distance learning shipping

Headquarters

HQ city

Cambridge

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Residential Course Fees: One-time fees for intensive residential programmes held at Cambridge venues (Madingley Hall, Selwyn College) and London venues (Mercure Hyde Park Hotel). Course fees range from £2,400 to £8,820 depending on programme length and content.
2. Distance Learning Programme Fees: Self-paced distance learning courses with tutor supervision. Students study at their own pace with support from tutors with practical shipping industry experience. Courses cover specialised maritime topics.
3. Online Course Fees: Synchronous online training courses delivered live with tutors, limited to small groups (e.g., 15 participants). Offered as bespoke in-house programmes for corporate clients.
4. Overseas Course Fees: Non-residential courses held in Dubai and Singapore at local hotels. Priced in USD, ranging from USD2,200 to USD4,800 per person.
5. Profiled/Bespoke Courses: Custom courses developed and delivered to meet specific client organisation requirements, either in-house or at a venue of the client's choosing.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Cambridge Academy of Transport provides specialized maritime and transport industry education and training. Its offerings include residential courses in Cambridge, short courses in London, online courses, distance learning programs, and overseas courses delivered in Dubai and Singapore. The company serves shipping, transport, and logistics professionals through structured commercial training programs.

Product overview

Cambridge Academy of Transport provides maritime education through a portfolio of training programmes delivered via three formats: Cambridge residential courses (intensive one-to-two week programmes at Cambridge colleges), London short courses (multi-day programmes at London venues including the Baltic Exchange), and overseas courses (condensed programmes in Dubai and Singapore). The company also offers synchronous online instructor-led courses and a mature distance learning programme with tutor support. The product portfolio includes specialist courses covering shipping operations, chartering, ship finance, LNG shipping, tanker operations, maritime law, marine insurance, and logistics. Over 4,000 professionals have completed programmes, with alumni including senior executives from major shipping companies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Residential Course (Cambridge) Intensive in-person maritime and transport training delivered at the Academy's Cambridge location, with tiered pricing from £1,500 to £8,820 per participant. Aimed at shipping and transport industry professionals and corporate-sponsored managers.
• London Short Course Compact in-person maritime and transport training delivered in London, designed for time-constrained executives and managers in the shipping and transport industry.
• Online Course Web-based maritime and transport training delivered remotely, allowing participants worldwide to access the Academy's curriculum without travel.
• Distance Learning Course Self-paced correspondence-style maritime and transport training for participants who cannot attend in-person sessions, providing flexible study over an extended period.
• Overseas Course (Dubai / Singapore) In-person maritime and transport training delivered in Dubai and Singapore, targeted at industry professionals in the Middle East and Southeast Asia, with pricing from USD 2,200 to USD 4,800 per participant.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 2,000 participants have completed the Anatomy of Shipping course since 1978
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Selwyn College, University of CambridgecoreOthersResidential venue for Cambridge courses including Anatomy of Shipping. Located at the University of Cambridge, Selwyn College provides quality accommodation with private en-suite facilities for course participants.
• Madingley Hall, CambridgecoreOthersVenue for residential courses including Anatomy of Ship Finance, Tanker Chartering & Documentation, Chartering: A Practical Approach, and Anatomy of LNG Shipping & Operations. Provides private en-suite accommodation and all meals.
• The Baltic Exchange, LondoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociation with The Baltic Exchange for London Chartering Course Series. Courses held at the Exchange, the home of shipbroking in the heart of Maritime London. Provides unique insight into the shipping industry and networking opportunities with members representing major owners and charterers.
• CATZ Maritime Pte LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSingapore-based subsidiary company handling Middle East and Asia course operations. Located at Tras Link, Orchid Hotel, Singapore. Manages regional course delivery including Business of Shipping Singapore, LNG courses, and Petroleum Products courses.
• Richardson Lawrie AssociatesminorOthersPartner organisation for the Anatomy of Petroleum Products and Chemicals Shipping course held in Dubai.
• Mercure Hyde Park Hotel, LondoncoreOthersVenue for London courses including Disputes on Charter Parties, Practical Dry Cargo Chartering, and Laytime Demurrage & Despatch. Provides discounted accommodation rates for course delegates.
• M Hotel, SingaporecoreOthersVenue for Business of Shipping Singapore courses. Located in Singapore's financial district, provides tuition facilities and discounted accommodation for course participants.
• Park Regis Kris Kin Hotel, DubaicoreOthersVenue for Dubai courses including The Business of Shipping and Anatomy of LNG Shipping & Operations. Located in central Dubai with facilities for course delivery.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Singapore Maritime Academy: Singapore Maritime Academy, part of Singapore Polytechnic, offers professional maritime training in ship management, maritime law, and offshore engineering. It directly competes for Asian maritime professionals who might otherwise attend CATZ's Singapore courses, particularly for those seeking locally accredited credentials.

Direct peers

• Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers: The Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers is the professional body for shipbrokers, charterers, and ship managers, offering qualifying examinations and education in dry cargo chartering, tanker chartering, and ship sale and purchase. It directly competes with CATZ's chartering-focused courses as the established credentialing pathway for the same target audience.
• Lloyd's Maritime Academy: Lloyd's Maritime Academy, part of Informa, provides professional development courses and distance learning programmes for the maritime industry covering chartering, ship finance, maritime law, and port management. It is the most direct competitor to CATZ in commercial maritime executive education, offering similar subject matter via both online and classroom formats.
• The Nautical Institute: The Nautical Institute is an international professional body for maritime professionals offering continuous professional development, certifications, and training resources. While focused on operational seafarers, its membership and education programmes overlap with CATZ's audience of maritime executives and ship managers.
• IMO International Maritime Law Institute: IMLI, established under the IMO, specialises in postgraduate maritime law education. It competes directly with CATZ's maritime law and charter party dispute courses for legal professionals, P&I Club staff, and claims handlers working in shipping disputes.
• World Maritime University: World Maritime University, established by the IMO, delivers postgraduate education and research in maritime affairs from its Malmö, Sweden base. It serves a similar maritime professional audience with master's-level programmes in shipping, port management, and maritime law, offering an academic alternative to CATZ's practitioner-led model.

Others

• Maritime London (City of London Corporation): Maritime London promotes Maritime UK and the broader UK maritime services cluster, including organising industry events and training initiatives around London. As CATZ's primary UK venue partner cluster (Baltic Exchange, London shipping community), it represents both a competitive and complementary relationship.
• BIMCO: BIMCO is the world's largest international shipping association, representing shipowners and operators. While primarily a contractual and lobbying body, BIMCO offers training events and seminars in chartering, contract law, and shipping operations that overlap with CATZ's curriculum and target audience.

Broad incumbents

• Ocean Technologies Group (Videotel): Ocean Technologies Group (formed from Videotel, Seagull, and Marlins) is a broad incumbent in maritime training, offering on-demand e-learning, competency management, and onboard training solutions across safety, navigation, and operations. It competes for the same corporate training budgets as CATZ, particularly with larger shipowners seeking integrated training platforms.

Emerging players

• Seagull Maritime: Seagull Maritime is a leading provider of digital maritime training and e-learning solutions for shipowners and seafarers globally. While historically focused on operational STCW compliance training, its digital platform represents a technological alternative to CATZ's practitioner-led classroom model, particularly for younger maritime professionals.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cambridge-academy-of-transport

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cambridge Academy of Transport