Shanghai Maritime University

What Shanghai Maritime University does

Shanghai Maritime University (SMU) is a public, multi-disciplinary university under the Ministry of Transport of the People's Republic of China, located at 1550 Haigang Avenue in Shanghai's Pudong New Area. Founded in 1909 out of the Shipping Section of Shanghai Industrial College and formally established by the Ministry of Communications in 1959, SMU is recognized as the 'cradle of international shipping specialists' and serves as China's principal maritime higher-education institution. The university operates 10 colleges and schools spanning engineering, management, economics, law, liberal arts, and science, with particular emphasis on shipping, logistics, and ocean-related disciplines. Total enrollment exceeds 26,000 students (16,000+ undergraduates and ~8,000 postgraduates), supported by approximately 1,200 full-time teachers including nearly 200 professors.

SMU's core academic and research assets include 52 bachelor's programs, 64 master's programs, 18 doctoral programs, and 3 post-doctoral research stations. Notable technical infrastructure comprises a Maritime Simulation Center for navigation training and a 48,000-ton teaching vessel (Yuming Ship) used for hands-on instruction and internship. The university has achieved ESI top 1% rankings in five disciplines: Engineering, Computer Science, General Social Sciences, Materials Science, and Environmental Science & Ecology. Executive education is delivered through the Shanghai Advanced Institute of International Shipping (SAIIS), which offers EMBA, DBA, and EDP programs to senior maritime industry professionals.

The business model rests on three revenue streams: (i) tuition and fees from domestic and international students across degree programs; (ii) government funding from the Ministry of Transport and Shanghai municipal authorities; and (iii) professional fees from executive education and short-term international training programs. SMU maintains close ties with over 100 international partner institutions across Asia, Europe, Africa, North America, and Oceania, and runs joint degree programs with World Maritime University (MSc in Maritime Affairs, ITL specialization, 20+ years), Regional Maritime University of Ghana (African Class, since 2011), and Hogeschool Zeeland (Sino-Dutch Mechatronics Engineering College). In 2020, SMU became the first Chinese maritime-related university to earn AACSB certification. The institution distributes programs through direct admissions, international student recruitment, and partnership-based joint programs, targeting domestic undergraduates, postgraduate researchers, international students, senior maritime executives, and government officials.

Name

Shanghai Maritime University

Legal name

Shanghai Maritime University

Website

https://en.shmtu.edu.cn

Company type

Private

Founded year

1909

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Shanghai Maritime University is a public Chinese university under the Ministry of Transport, specializing in maritime, shipping, and logistics education across undergraduate, graduate, and executive programs, serving 26,000+ students with 100+ international partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Maritime Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Engineering Services (8711)

akta.pro primary industry

International Business & Global Management Schools (EDAHAHAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Navigation, Seamanship & Offshore Operations (EDAOANAE), International Branch Campus & Offshore Program Partnerships (EDAIABAI), Naval Training, Simulation & Shore-Based Test Facilities (IMAJABAN), Educational Cruises & Shipboard Learning Programs (THAKAGAM)

Keywords

• Maritime education
• Shipping logistics studies
• Ocean engineering programs
• Executive maritime training
• International transport education

Headquarters

HQ city

Shanghai, Shanghai

HQ country

China

HQ region

Asia

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Revenue from domestic and international student tuition for undergraduate, master's, and doctoral programs
2. Government Funding: Ministry of Communications and Shanghai municipal government support for maritime education and research
3. Executive Education (EMBA/DBA/EDP): Revenue from Shanghai Advanced Institute of International Shipping executive programs

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Shanghai Maritime University is a multi-disciplinary public university offering undergraduate, master's, and doctoral degree programs with special emphasis on shipping, logistics, and ocean studies. It also delivers executive education (EMBA, DBA, EDP) through its Shanghai Advanced Institute of International Shipping (SAIIS) and runs joint international degree programs with World Maritime University, Regional Maritime University of Ghana, and Hogeschool Zeeland. Teaching is supported by a 48,000-ton training vessel (Yuming Ship) and a Maritime Simulation Center.

Product overview

Shanghai Maritime University offers a comprehensive portfolio of academic and professional programs. The core academic offerings include undergraduate and graduate degree programs across multiple disciplines (engineering, management, economics, law, liberal arts, science) with special emphasis on shipping, logistics, and ocean studies. The university operates the Shanghai Advanced Institute of International Shipping (SAIIS) which delivers executive education programs including EMBA, DBA, and EDP courses. International joint programs include the ITL program with World Maritime University, the African Class partnership with Ghana's Regional Maritime University, and Sino-Dutch Mechatronics Engineering programs. The university also conducts short-term international programs including summer schools and professional training workshops on green shipping and maritime development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Undergraduate Programs Bachelor's degree programs covering diverse fields such as Computer Science and Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Logistics Management, Maritime Navigation, Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering, Maritime Law, and Business English. Programs are 4 years in duration and aimed at domestic and international high-school graduates seeking maritime-focused undergraduate education.
• Master's Programs Graduate-level master's degree programs across multiple disciplines including Transportation Planning and Management, Computer Technology, Electrical Engineering, International Law, International Trade, and maritime-related fields. Programs are offered in both Chinese and English with 3-year study periods and target bachelor's-degree holders seeking advanced specialization.
• EMBA (Executive MBA) Advanced Management Executive MBA program offered through Shanghai Advanced Institute of International Shipping (SAIIS), focused on shipping, logistics, and international business leadership, targeting senior shipping and logistics professionals seeking advanced leadership credentials.
• DBA (Doctor of Business Administration) Doctoral-level business administration program offered through Shanghai Advanced Institute of International Shipping for senior executives and business leaders in the maritime and shipping sectors.
• EDP (Executive Development Programs) Short-term professional development courses for executives and managers, covering advanced topics in shipping, logistics, and international business management, delivered through SAIIS.
• MSc in Maritime Affairs - International Transport and Logistics (ITL) Joint master's program with World Maritime University (WMU) offering specialization in International Transport and Logistics. The program has been running for over two decades and cultivates senior professionals for the global shipping and logistics industry. Students from Germany, Greece, Turkey, USA, India, Mexico, Indonesia, Thailand, and South Korea have participated.
• African Class - Joint Logistics Management Program Joint undergraduate program in Logistics Management with Regional Maritime University of Ghana (RMU). Students spend the first 3 years studying at RMU and the final year at SMU. It is the first overseas degree program at SMU and among Shanghai municipal universities and awards a Chinese bachelor's degree.
• Sino-Dutch Mechatronics Engineering Programs Joint Mechanical and Electrical Engineering and Electric Engineering and Intelligent Control programs with Hogeschool Zeeland University of Applied Sciences. Students complete 3.5 years at SMU and 1.5 years in the Netherlands and receive certificates from both institutions upon successful graduation.
• International Summer School Program Annual international summer school program hosting students from European universities including Copenhagen Business School and University of Piraeus, with themes such as Empowerment through Innovation and Cross-Cultural Collaboration.
• Green Shipping International Training Programs International training workshop programs focusing on national strategy for GHG reduction and net-zero transition in maritime and port sectors, hosting transportation officials from multiple countries, organized with IMO and other international bodies.

Quantifiable outcome

• First in world in container throughput for 16 consecutive years (Port of Shanghai)
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability3 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Regional Maritime University of Ghana (RMU)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011Joint undergraduate program in Logistics Management. First overseas degree program at SMU and among Shanghai universities. Students spend first 3 years at RMU and final year at SMU. The first group enrolled in 2011 with 42 students. RMU is co-founded by Ghana, Cameroon, Gambia, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.
• World Maritime University (WMU)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2004Joint MSc in Maritime Affairs specialization in International Transport and Logistics (ITL) program. The program has been running for over two decades and has cultivated more than 500 senior professionals for international shipping and logistics industry. Students from multiple countries including Germany, Greece, Turkey, USA, India, Mexico, Indonesia, Thailand, and South Korea have participated.
• Hogeschool Zeeland University of Applied SciencesflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Program and Electric Engineering and Intelligent Control Program through Sino-Dutch Mechatronics Engineering College. Students complete first 3.5 years at SMU and last 1.5 years at Zeeland University. Successful graduates receive certificates from both institutions.
• Massachusetts Maritime AcademycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing cooperation in maritime education. Exchanges on joint shipping talent cultivation, discipline development, faculty exchange, and academic resource sharing.
• Seaspan CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation in high-level maritime talent cultivation and interdisciplinary shipping talent development. Seaspan has expressed support for supplying shipping professionals.
• Methanex CorporationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDiscussions on green methanol application in shipping, new shipping energy technology research, and new energy supply chain development.
• International Maritime Organization (IMO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClose contacts with international noted shipping organization for knowledge exchange and industry collaboration.
• The Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClose contacts with international noted shipping organization for industry collaboration.
• DNV (Det Norske Veritas)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSMU-DNV International Cooperation Center for shipping research and industry standards.
• British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaritime education and training cooperation, Belt and Road talent development projects.
• Saint Martin's UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperative education since 2001, including student and faculty exchange, joint scientific research.
• Shipping Federation of CanadaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerExchanges on China's shipping industry and Shanghai International Shipping Center development.
• Foremost GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. James S.C. Chao, Chairman, is distinguished alumnus. Donation for construction of navigation simulator.
• International Maritime Organization (IMO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorkshop on GHG Reduction and Net Zero Transition in Maritime and Port Sector with maritime officials from Cambodia, Georgia, China and other countries.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• California State University Maritime Academy: One of seven US state maritime academies with similar merchant marine, marine transportation, and maritime business degree offerings. Direct international peer in maritime undergraduate education.
• Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport: League of Arab States-affiliated maritime institution offering undergraduate and graduate maritime programs across multiple campuses. Competes with SMU for Middle Eastern and African maritime students.
• Dalian Maritime University: China's other flagship maritime university with comparable history, scale (~20,000+ students), and Ministry of Transport oversight. Direct competitor for top students, faculty, and government research funding in maritime higher education.
• World Maritime University (WMU): IMO-founded global maritime university in Malmö, Sweden. SMU's joint MSc ITL partner for over two decades; serves similar international maritime postgraduate audience with comparable programs in shipping, ports, and maritime affairs.
• Massachusetts Maritime Academy: US maritime academy and SMU's long-standing cooperation partner. Comparable focus on merchant marine training, marine engineering, and shipping management with shared faculty/student exchange programs.
• Korea Maritime and Ocean University (KMOU): South Korea's leading maritime university with similar strengths in navigation, marine engineering, and international shipping. Competes directly for East Asian maritime students and industry talent.
• Regional Maritime University of Ghana (RMU): Ghana-based maritime university co-founded by five West African states; SMU's joint-program partner for the African Class since 2011. Serves overlapping African maritime student market with complementary rather than competing offerings.
• SUNY Maritime College: US maritime college within State University of New York system offering marine engineering, naval architecture, and maritime business degrees. Closest US peer in mission and program mix.
• Bangladesh Maritime University: Emerging Asian maritime university offering comparable programs in nautical science, marine engineering, and maritime management. Represents the new generation of national maritime universities competing for regional talent.

Broad incumbents

• Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University: Top European business school with strong maritime/shipping executive education through partnerships with Rotterdam's maritime industry. Competes with SAIIS for international shipping executive MBA enrollment at the premium end of the market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xweibo.com/hellosmu
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/shanghai-maritime-university

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Shanghai Maritime University