International Maritime Academy

What International Maritime Academy does

International Maritime Academy (IMA) is a private, for-profit maritime education institution founded in 2018 and headquartered on an 8,000m² purpose-built campus in Portemilio, Kaslik, Jounieh, Lebanon. The academy delivers two integrated program tracks: Shipping Programs (covering deck, engine, and safety courses aligned to STCW international standards) and Yachting Programs (ranging from entry-level Deck Hand to Yacht Master Offshore certifications), supplemented by specialized offerings such as Electro-Technical Rating, Reefer Container Maintenance, Ship Cook, and crowd management training. Underlying training technology is facility-based rather than software-based, comprising a navigation room, simulator room, semi-Olympic indoor pool, on-site reefer container, electrical workshop, welding and fitting workshop, electro-mechanical workshop, hospitality classroom, first aid room, and private gym.

IMA's business model is a direct-to-consumer, tuition-based model where individual students enroll in courses via the academy's website or campus visits, with program fees not publicly disclosed. Revenue is concentrated in the academy-defined revenue stream of "Maritime Training Programs," with no disclosed pricing tiers or enterprise contracts. The academy's go-to-market relies on the website (imaritimeacademy.com), content/news publishing, direct inquiry channels, and a network of strategic partnerships — most importantly Phoenician Manning Agency (PMA) for global graduate placement across cruise lines, commercial ships, and private yachts, and additional MOUs with VIP Yachting (yachting training pathway), Sports Academy School (BT1/BT2/BT3 youth programs launching Fall 2025), Georges N. Frem Foundation (youth empowerment), and engagements with AWIMA Lebanon and ITS Academy G. Caboto. The customer base spans shipping career seekers, yachting career seekers, and a growing youth/alternative-education segment, all served domestically from Lebanon with global placement outcomes via PMA.

Name

International Maritime Academy

Legal name

International Maritime Academy

Website

https://imaritimeacademy.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

International Maritime Academy is a Lebanese maritime education institution founded in 2018 that delivers STCW-aligned Shipping and Yachting training programs from its 8,000m² Kaslik campus, serving individual career-seeking students with placement support through partner manning agencies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Maritime Education & Training

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Merchant Marine & Deck Operations (EDAOANAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Marine Engineering & Engine Room Operations (EDAOANAB), Navigation, Seamanship & Offshore Operations (EDAOANAE), Maritime Safety, Security & Compliance (STCW/ISM/ISPS) (EDAOANAD), Maritime/Port Facility Security (ISPS) Training (BPAKAOAL)

Keywords

• Maritime training programs
• Shipping education
• Yacht crew training
• STCW certification courses
• Seafarer education

Headquarters

HQ city

Joünié

HQ country

Lebanon

HQ region

Middle East

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Maritime Training Programs: IMA generates revenue through fees charged for maritime training programs including Shipping Programs (Deck, Engine, Safety courses aligned with STCW standards) and Yachting Programs (from deckhand fundamentals to yacht master certifications). Programs range from entry-level courses to advanced professional certifications.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

International Maritime Academy (IMA) is a Ministry-accredited maritime training institution offering STCW-aligned Shipping Programs (deck, engine, safety, technical ratings, and officer-level certifications for commercial vessels) and Yachting Programs (from deckhand fundamentals through Yacht Master Offshore certifications for luxury vessels). Programs are delivered on an 8,000m² purpose-built campus in Kaslik, Jounieh, Lebanon, with placement support via Phoenician Manning Agency partnership.

Product overview

International Maritime Academy offers two integrated maritime training programs: Shipping Programs and Yachting Programs. Shipping Programs provide STCW-aligned comprehensive training ranging from mandatory safety courses (STCW Basic Safety Training) through deck/engine cadet officer foundations (2-year program) to specialized certifications like Officer of the Watch, ETR, and Reefer Container Maintenance. Yachting Programs deliver yacht-specific training from entry-level Deck Hand through hospitality (Yacht Steward/ess) to advanced Yacht Master Offshore certifications. Both programs share foundational STCW training and prepare graduates for placement through the Phoenician Manning Agency partnership across commercial ships and luxury yachts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Shipping Programs Comprehensive maritime training programs aligned to STCW standards covering deck, engine, and safety courses for a long-haul career at sea aboard commercial vessels. Includes programs from entry-level (Ordinary Seaman) to advanced (Officer of the Watch), technical specializations (ETR, MTR), and specialized certifications.
• Yachting Programs Professional yacht crew training from deckhand fundamentals to Yacht Master certifications, calibrated to standards expected by superyacht owners and luxury charter operators. Includes hospitality training for yacht steward/ess roles.
• STCW Basic Safety Training Mandatory 12-week safety training course covering fundamental maritime safety procedures required for all seafarers under STCW standards.
• Deck/Engine Cadet Officer Program Two-year foundation program preparing cadets for officer-level positions in deck or engine departments aboard commercial vessels.
• Ordinary Seaman Program Beginner-level four-week program providing foundational training for entry into the deck department of commercial vessels.
• Electro Technical Rating (ETR) Technical 10-week program training students in electrical systems, refrigeration, and control panels for shipboard technical positions.
• Mechanical Technical Rating (MTR) Technical four-week program covering mechanical systems and maintenance skills for engine room operations aboard vessels.
• Able-Bodied Deck (AB Deck) Intermediate four-week program advancing deck skills to qualified AB Deck rating status for commercial vessel operations.
• Able-Bodied Engine (AB Engine) Intermediate five-week program developing engine room competencies to qualified AB Engine rating status.
• ISPS Code – Ship Security Awareness One-day security awareness training covering ISPS Code requirements for ship security personnel.
• Ship Cook Course Specialized five-day program training chefs for galley operations aboard commercial vessels.
• Crowd Management, Passenger Safety & Safety Training Two-day passenger safety training covering crowd management and emergency procedures for passenger vessel crew.
• Crisis Management and Human Behaviour Training Advanced four-day program developing crisis management skills and understanding human behavior under emergency conditions at sea.
• Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats Specialized one-week program training seafarers in survival craft operation and rescue boat procedures.
• Reefer Container Maintenance Course Specialized one-week program providing practical training on refrigeration systems and temperature-controlled container maintenance aboard vessels.
• Officer of the Watch (OOW) – Navigation Watch Semester-long program preparing students for officer-level navigation watch duties aboard commercial vessels.
• Deck Hand Entry-level two-week program covering fundamental deck operations skills for yacht crew positions.
• Yacht Steward/ess Two-week hospitality training program covering service standards and interior maintenance for luxury yachts.
• Boat Master Basic three-day navigation and boat handling certification for entry-level yacht crew.
• Yacht Master Coastal Two-week coastal navigation certification program advancing yacht crew competency for near-shore operations.
• Yacht Master Offshore Restricted Six-week advanced program preparing crew for offshore yacht operations with restricted tonnage certification.
• Yacht Master Offshore Advanced eight-week program providing full Yacht Master Offshore certification for vessels up to 200 GT, enabling operations on private luxury yachts worldwide.

Quantifiable outcome

• 40+ students trained at the academy
• +2 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature10 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Georges N. Frem FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 June 2026Strategic partnership signed via MOU to empower Lebanon's youth through education, skills development, and employment opportunities. The collaboration aims to create meaningful pathways connecting education with real-world opportunities for building a stronger future for Lebanon. Both institutions commit to expanding access to educational and professional development, equipping youth with practical industry-relevant skills, and facilitating pathways toward employment and career growth.
• AWIMA Lebanon ChapterminorOthers · 18 May 2026IMA participated in the official launch of AWIMA Lebanon Chapter at the Port of Beirut on International Day for Women in Maritime. This milestone event advances the role of women across maritime sectors in Lebanon, with IMA standing alongside AWIMA Lebanon in fostering a more inclusive and diverse maritime industry.
• VIP YachtingcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 March 2026MOU signed to strengthen maritime and yachting training in Lebanon, focusing on bridging the gap between academic learning and real industry needs. The partnership provides students hands-on exposure and clearer pathways into professional yachting careers through enhanced practical learning and structured training aligned with yachting sector requirements.
• ITS Academy G. CabotominorOthers · 22 May 2025Meeting between IMA President Pierre Akl and Salvatore d'Amico of d'Amico Società di Navigazione at ITS Academy G. Caboto in Gaeta, Italy. Discussion focused on advancing the blue economy, creating job opportunities in maritime, and empowering youth through maritime education to prepare the next generation of seafarers.
• Sports Academy SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 May 2025Strategic partnership to launch BT1, BT2, and BT3 programs starting Fall 2025 at IMA's Kaslik campus. Collaboration merges academic learning with athletic training and technical know-how, providing alternative career paths beyond traditional education. Programs designed to build discipline, teamwork, leadership, and prepare youth for success in physical and professional environments.
• Phoenician Manning Agency (PMA)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStrategic partnership providing direct placement support for IMA graduates across cruise lines, commercial ships, and private yachts worldwide. Through this partnership, graduates access worldwide job opportunities and career pathways in deck operations, engineering, hospitality, cruise ship hospitality, and yacht crew positions.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• California State University Maritime Academy: US-based degree-granting maritime academy offering STCW-aligned deck and engine programs with strong placement into US-flag commercial fleets. Comparable STCW training and shipping career pathway, though operating as a public degree institution.
• Warsash Maritime Academy (Solent University): UK-based, well-established maritime training institution offering STCW-aligned officer and rating programs. Comparable curriculum offering but at significantly larger scale and broader international recognition with global ship operators.
• Australian Maritime College (University of Tasmania): Australia's dedicated maritime training institution delivering STCW-compliant deck, engine, and navigation programs. Comparable in offering type but with deeper institutional scale, broader program portfolio, and international accreditation footprint.

Direct peers

• Bahria Maritime Academy: Pakistan-based maritime training institution offering deck and engine officer programs aligned with STCW. Comparable scope of offerings (cadet officer foundation plus shorter safety and technical courses) and similar positioning toward international crew placement.
• Tolani Maritime Institute: India-based maritime academy offering STCW-aligned pre-sea training for deck and engine cadets. Directly comparable as a private, single-country maritime training institution preparing students for global shipping careers, though operating at substantially larger scale.
• Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific: Philippine maritime academy delivering STCW-compliant deck and engine programs feeding global merchant fleets. Closely comparable in business model (vocational maritime training for international placement) and curriculum structure.

Regional players

• Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport: Egypt-based pan-Arab institution offering maritime education alongside broader STEM programs, headquartered in Alexandria with regional campuses. Comparable as a regional maritime education provider serving Middle Eastern and African seafarer populations.

Emerging players

• ITS Academy G. Caboto: Italian maritime technical institute in Gaeta offering logistics and maritime transport education, and a partner institution to IMA via Pierre Akl's meetings with d'Amico leadership. Comparable as a specialized maritime education provider and peer for international maritime training partnerships.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Interna01971178
• Facebookfacebook.com/maritimeacademyleb
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/international-maritime-academy-lebanon

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

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 International Maritime Academy