Direccion General de la Marina Mercante

What Direccion General de la Marina Mercante does

Dirección General de la Marina Mercante de Honduras (DGMM) is the sole governmental maritime authority of Honduras, operating under the Ley Orgánica de la Marina Mercante Nacional to regulate all maritime activities within Honduran waters. Its functional mandate spans vessel registration and flagging, seafarer training and certification under STCW 78, maritime safety oversight, environmental protection, and coordination of the auxiliary maritime industry. The institution is led by Director General Dr. Edgar Soriano and operates a national footprint of 13 Port Captaincies covering both Caribbean (Puerto Cortés, La Ceiba, Tela, Omoa, Roatán, Utila, Guanaja, Puerto Castilla, Brus Laguna, Lempira) and Pacific (Amapala, San Lorenzo, Guapinol) coastlines, complemented by a 24/7 Maritime Information Center managed by the ACMA department.

The core service portfolio comprises six institutional pillars: Registro de Buques (ship registration), Gente de Mar (seafarer training and titulation), Gestión Ambiental Marítima Portuaria (environmental management), Análisis y Control Marítimo (maritime control), Seguridad Marítima (safety certification), and Industria Marítima Auxiliar y Desarrollo Portuario (auxiliary industry oversight). Digital tools include electronic departure clearances (zarpes electrónicos), the Cálculo de Arqueo gross tonnage calculator, the Consulta Marinos public/private crew portals, and a Biblioteca Marítima Virtual. The Servicio Meteorológico Marítimo provides satellite weather, tide levels, and lunar data. Maritime training is delivered through three schools — EMCA Omoa, EMCA La Ceiba, and CECAMARH Tegucigalpa — operating under IMO model courses, with Blue Sea Maritime Training Center recognized as an extension under the UCENM partnership.

The revenue model is fee-based and operationally modest, with registration fees ranging Lps. 150–900 and annual renewals Lps. 125–1,100 depending on vessel type and size; artisanal fishing vessels are exempt by state decree. Additional revenue streams include seafarer certification fees, maritime training tuition at EMCA/CECAMARH, nautical event authorization fees (Lps. 200 per event), and inspection tariffs for exterior navigation. The customer base is broad and mandatory: vessel owners and operators, seafarers, commercial and artisanal fishermen, water sports and tourism operators, and auxiliary maritime service providers. The institution is ISO 9001:2015 certified, participates in the Central American COCATRAM commission, and aligns with IMO conventions including SOLAS, MARPOL, and SAR.

Name

Direccion General de la Marina Mercante

Legal name

Dirección General de la Marina Mercante de Honduras

Website

https://marinamercante.gob.hn

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

DGMM is the sole governmental maritime authority of Honduras, regulating vessel registration, seafarer certification, maritime safety, and environmental protection through 13 Port Captaincies and three maritime training schools.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Maritime Regulatory Services

NAICS

Port and Harbor Operations (488310), Support Activities for Water Transportation (4883), Other Support Activities for Water Transportation (48839), Navigational Services to Shipping (48833)

SIC

Water Transportation (4400), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

Vessel Vetting & Due Diligence Services (SIRE/CDI, Terminal Vetting) (TLAHANAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Pilotage Authority & Dispatch Services (Pilot Stations, Rostering, VTS Interface) (TLAHAGAG)

Keywords

• Maritime regulatory services
• Vessel registration
• Seafarer certification
• Maritime safety oversight
• Port administration

Headquarters

HQ city

Tegucigalpa

HQ country

Honduras

HQ region

Latin America

Offices17 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Vessel Registration Fees: Registration and annual fees collected for vessel registration based on vessel type and size. Fees range from Lps. 200-900 for registration and Lps. 125-1,100 for annual renewals depending on vessel category.
2. Maritime Training Services: Fees collected for maritime training programs at EMCA and CECAMARH schools, including enrollment and course completion fees.
3. Nautical Event Authorization: Fees for authorization of nautical sports events, including registration fees per vessel and annual fees for vessel categories.
4. Seafarer Licensing and Certification: Fees for titulation and certification of seafarers following STCW 78 Convention requirements.
5. Inspection Fees for Exterior Navigation: Inspection tariffs for vessels under 5 gross tonnage engaged in exterior navigation for passenger and cargo transport.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Dirección General de la Marina Mercante de Honduras (DGMM) is the national maritime authority of Honduras, operating under the Ley Orgánica de la Marina Mercante Nacional. It delivers regulatory and service functions including vessel registration under the Honduran flag, seafarer training and STCW 78 certification, maritime safety certification, maritime environmental management, and authorization of auxiliary maritime industry operators through 13 Port Captaincies and 3 maritime training schools nationwide.

Product overview

Direccion General de la Marina Mercante (DGMM) is the Honduran Maritime Authority providing a comprehensive suite of maritime regulatory and service functions. The organization offers ship registration services (Registro de Buques), seafarer training and certification (Gente de Mar), maritime environmental management, safety certification, and auxiliary maritime industry development. Key operational units include 13 Port Captaincies (Capitanías de Puerto) distributed across Honduras, two primary maritime training schools (EMCA in Omoa and La Ceiba, and CECAMARH in Tegucigalpa), and a Maritime Meteorological Service. Digital services include electronic ship clearances (Zarpes Electrónicos), online tonnage calculation tools, public and private crew credential portals, and a virtual maritime library. The institution operates under international conventions including STCW 78 for seafarer training and IMO instruments for maritime safety.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• EMCA (Escuela Marítima Centroamericana): Central American Maritime School - maritime training institution located in Omoa and La Ceiba
• CECAMARH (Centro de Capacitación Marítimo Centro Sur Oriente)
• Servicio Meteorológico Marítimo
• Barana - Revista Marítima

Products and services

• Registro de Buques (Vessel Registration) Official inscription of vessels and natural or legal persons who hold ownership, lease, shipping, or shipowner status, enabling vessels to operate under the Honduran flag and providing registration stickers for hull identification. Available in tiered pricing from Lps. 200-900 for registration and Lps. 125-1,100 for annual renewal depending on vessel category.
• Gente de Mar (Seafarer Training and Certification) Training, titulation (licensing), and certification services for maritime professionals, including enrollment and titulation for seafarers (Gente de Mar). Includes compliance with STCW 78 Convention standards as amended, with course renewal and temporary homologation governed by Circular AD-009-2026 and certification requirements governed by Circular AD-010-2026.
• Gestión Ambiental Marítima Portuaria (Maritime Environmental Management) Department service focused on the prevention of marine pollution and the protection and sustainable use of marine-coastal ecosystems, addressing environmental obligations including MARPOL Convention compliance for vessels operating under the Honduran flag.
• Seguridad Marítima (Maritime Safety) Defines maritime safety policies, endorses and issues technical certificates for vessels flying the Honduras flag under international conventions and national legislation, issues technical opinions, and conducts monitoring of the merchant fleet.
• Industria Marítima Auxiliar y Desarrollo Portuario (Auxiliary Maritime Industry and Port Development) Registration and authorization of companies in the auxiliary maritime industry and oversight of port development. Circular AD-008-2026 addresses regularization of registrations and operations for auxiliary maritime industry companies, an economic sector contributing to the maritime industry which represents 10% of Honduras' GDP.
• Capitanías de Puerto (Port Captaincies Service Network) Network of 13 physical Port Captaincies operating throughout Honduras in major and minor ports (including Puerto Cortés, Roatán, La Ceiba, Tela, Omoa, Guanaja, Utila, Puerto Castilla, Brus Laguna, Amapala, San Lorenzo, Lempira and Guapinol) that deliver ship clearance, vessel inspections, registration of smaller vessels, passenger dispatch, and 24/7 maritime emergency coordination through the Maritime Information Center. A 14th port captaincy is under construction at Lake Yojoa.
• Servicio Meteorológico Marítimo (Maritime Meteorological Service) Provides satellite weather status, tide levels for Honduran coasts, moon phases, meteorological glossary, and climate reports to support maritime safety planning and navigation.
• EMCA - Escuela Marítima Centroamericana (Central American Maritime School) Central American Maritime School operating two campuses (Omoa in Cortés department and La Ceiba in Atlántida department), providing maritime education and STCW 78-compliant training for aspiring sailors and merchant mariners. Contact: [email protected]; [email protected]; +504 2658 9030/9031 (Omoa), +504 2441 2170/2171 (La Ceiba).
• CECAMARH/CSO - Centro de Capacitación Marítimo Centro Sur Oriente Maritime Training Center serving the South-Central-East region, located in Tegucigalpa, providing IMO model courses for national and foreign aspiring and merchant mariners following STCW 78 Convention standards. Contact: [email protected]; +504 2239-8228/8334/8346/8335/8203 ext. 243.
• Análisis y Control Marítimo (ACMA) - Maritime Analysis and Control Inspection Services Department responsible for streamlining control of maritime activities, due process in analyzing information produced by the DGMM, and strict compliance with maritime regulations, especially in matters of national security and defense. Oversees the 13 Port Captaincies and inspection tariffs for vessels under 5 gross tonnage engaged in exterior navigation for passenger and cargo transport.
• Nautical Event Authorization Service Official authorization for nautical sports events, water sports competitions, and recreational activities, including boat races. Each event authorization costs Lps. 200.00 (two hundred lempiras) payable per event on a pay-as-you-go basis.

Quantifiable outcome

• Maritime industry contributes 10% of national GDP
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Instituto Nacional de Formación Profesional (INFOP)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 April 2024Collaboration agreement to strengthen maritime training in Honduras. The partnership aims to promote knowledge and resource exchange, modernize and update educational programs, and better prepare maritime workers for sector challenges through joint initiatives.
• Instituto Hondureño de Antropología e Historia (IHAH)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInter-institutional agreement for the construction of a new Port Captaincy at Lake Yojoa's Los Naranjos Archaeological Park. Project aims to strengthen maritime safety and preserve cultural and natural heritage.
• Comisión Centroamericana del Transporte Marítimo (COCATRAM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional Central American maritime transport commission. Honduras participates in COCATRAM's Directorio meetings to develop the maritime sector regionally and align with regional transport policies.
• International Maritime Organization (IMO)coreTechnology or IntegrationUN agency responsible for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of maritime pollution. DGMM implements IMO conventions including STCW 78 for seafarer training, SOLAS, MARPOL, and SAR agreements.
• Cámara de Comercio Marítimo PortuariaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaritime Port Commerce Chamber collaboration for dialogue and cooperation in maritime port commerce activities in Honduras.
• Universidad Cristiana Evangélica Nuevo Milenio (UCENM)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRecognized Maritime Training Center for UCENM students at Blue Sea Maritime Training Center in San Pedro Sula, expanding maritime education access.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights10 records

Others

• International Maritime Organization (IMO): UN specialized agency whose conventions (STCW 78, SOLAS, MARPOL, SAR) define the regulatory framework DGMM implements; relevant ecosystem participant rather than competitor.
• Comisión Centroamericana del Transporte Marítimo (COCATRAM): Central American regional maritime transport commission in which DGMM participates; relevant regional coordination body that shapes policy alignment across Central American maritime authorities.

Direct peers

• Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry (LISCR): Global open ship registry; functionally competes with DGMM for international vessel owners seeking flag administration, providing comparable registration, certification, and advisory services.
• Bahamas Maritime Authority: National maritime administration of The Bahamas providing ship registration, seafarer training oversight, and regulatory compliance; comparable Caribbean-state registry competitor to DGMM.
• Jamaica Maritime Authority: Caribbean national maritime regulator with parallel functions in vessel registration, seafarer certification under STCW, and maritime safety oversight; directly comparable in scale and mandate.
• Marshall Islands Maritime Registry: One of the world's largest open ship registries; directly competes with DGMM for Honduran and Central American vessel owners choosing flag state on service quality, fees, and recognition.
• Autoridad Marítima de Panamá (Panama Maritime Authority): Panama's national maritime administration performs the same core functions as DGMM — vessel registration, seafarer certification, maritime safety oversight — but at vastly larger scale and is the world's largest ship registry, making it the most direct functional peer in the region.
• Dirección General de Marina Mercante (Mexico): Mexico's federal maritime authority with virtually identical remit — vessel registration under national flag, STCW-aligned seafarer certification, port captaincies, and maritime safety oversight — making it a near-twin structural peer.
• Trinidad and Tobago Maritime Services Limited (MARIS): CARICOM state maritime registry and seafarer certification authority; comparable Caribbean national maritime administration with similar regulatory scope and customer base.

Broad incumbents

• Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA): National maritime and port authority for Singapore performing analogous regulatory functions (vessel registration, seafarer certification, port state control) but at much larger scale and global reach.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@dgmmhonduras/videos
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/marinamercantehn

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries5 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 Direccion General de la Marina Mercante