THE MARITIME SKILLS ACADEMY LIMITED

What THE MARITIME SKILLS ACADEMY LIMITED does

The Maritime Skills Academy Limited (MSA) is a private limited company registered in England that delivers regulated maritime safety, survival, firefighting, and offshore training to commercial seafarers, cruise crews, offshore wind workers, and other maritime personnel. Founded in 2016 and operating as the training services division of Viking Maritime Group (founded 1988), MSA runs over 500 courses across two primary training centres in Dover (UK headquarters) and Gibraltar, with a third site in the Philippines for international delivery. The company reports training over 5,000 delegates annually, with courses approved by the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), the Global Wind Organisation (GWO), the Bahamas Maritime Authority, Qualsafe Awards, and the United Kingdom Maritime Pilot Association (UKMPA).

The core technology is purpose-built physical training infrastructure: a maritime survival pool for personal survival techniques and life raft training, a 3-deck multi-compartment fire house with 11 interconnected zones and CCTV command module, a marine evacuation system, a helicopter training setup with remote gas fire rig, pilot ladder and GWO ladder rigging equipment, and 12 full sets of Scott SCBA breathing apparatus. MSA monetises through per-delegate course pricing (ranging from £90 for a half-day security awareness course to £875 for the 5-day STCW Basic Safety Training package, with bespoke courses priced from £4,800 for group bookings), corporate group training packages including travel and accommodation, training centre consultancy for governments and education institutions, a travelling trainer service for global on-site delivery, and an eLearning/blended learning channel. The company operates a dual GTM with self-serve website booking for individuals and a dedicated enterprise sales team for cruise lines, shipping operators, and offshore wind companies.

Name

THE MARITIME SKILLS ACADEMY LIMITED

Legal name

The Maritime Skills Academy Ltd

Website

https://maritimeskillsacademy.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Maritime Skills Academy Limited is a UK-based maritime training provider founded in 2016 that delivers STCW, GWO, firefighting, survival, and offshore safety courses to 5,000+ delegates annually across centres in Dover, Gibraltar, and the Philippines, operating as the training division of Viking Maritime Group.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Maritime Training Services

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Other Support Activities for Water Transportation (48839)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Maritime Safety, Security & Compliance (STCW/ISM/ISPS) (EDAOANAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Maritime Safety Management Systems & Training (ISM/ISO 45001, Drills, Competency) (TLAHANAF), Merchant Marine & Deck Operations (EDAOANAA), Naval Training, Simulation & Shore-Based Test Facilities (IMAJABAN)

Keywords

• Maritime safety training
• STCW certification courses
• Offshore wind training
• Marine fire fighting
• Pilot ladder training

Headquarters

HQ city

Dover

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Public Course Delivery: Individual and small group maritime training courses delivered at Dover and Gibraltar training centres. Courses include STCW Basic Safety, fire fighting, survival techniques, medical training, and security courses. Revenue generated per delegate per course with prices ranging from £90 to £875 depending on course duration and complexity.
2. Corporate Group Training: Bulk crew training for shipping companies, cruise lines, and offshore operators. Includes bespoke statutory courses tailored to company policies and procedures. Services extend to travel arrangements, flights, hotels, and ground transport for delegates.
3. Training Centre Consultancy: Consultancy services for establishing new maritime training centres including discovery, feasibility studies, design and accreditation roadmaps, construction oversight, and operational launch. Targets governments, education institutions, and industry bodies.
4. Travelling Trainer Services: On-site training delivery at client locations anywhere in the world using in-house expert trainers with maritime industry experience.
5. eLearning and Blended Learning: Online maritime training courses including Qualsafe blended learning programmes combining remote e-learning with face-to-face assessment.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Maritime Skills Academy is a maritime training institution delivering STCW (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping) basic safety training, refresher courses, GWO (Global Wind Organisation) wind energy courses, commercial fire fighting, survival techniques, medical training, security courses, marine pilot ladder transfer training, and luxury yacht interior training. Core revenue is generated from individual delegate bookings on scheduled public courses and corporate group bookings for crew certification, with an additional consultancy line helping governments and educational institutions establish accredited maritime training centres.

Product overview

The Maritime Skills Academy (MSA) is a maritime training institution offering a portfolio of over 500 expert courses across two primary locations (Dover and Gibraltar) to over 5,000 delegates annually. The core offering centres on STCW (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping) Basic Safety Training and refresher packages, supplemented by GWO wind energy training, commercial fire training, operational fire fighting, medical training, security courses, team building, leadership development, bespoke training, and training centre consultancy services. The eLearning/online channel supports blended and remote delivery. Products are delivered through in-house instructors at purpose-built facilities featuring a survival pool, pilot ladder, open and enclosed fire ground, and a 3-deck multi-compartment fire house. The company is part of Viking Maritime Group and works with partners including Checkmate Safety Training (GWO courses) and LYIT (luxury yacht interior training).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• STCW Basic Safety Training (BST) A 5-day mandatory course meeting minimum STCW (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping) requirements for seafarers, covering fire prevention, elementary first aid, personal safety and social responsibilities, personal survival techniques, and security awareness. Delegates receive MCA-approved certification upon completion.
• STCW Personal Survival Techniques (PST) A 1-day course forming part of mandatory Basic Safety Training, providing delegates with survival skills to abandon ship in emergency situations. Includes pool-based practical exercises such as lifejacket donning, immersion suit use, water entry, life raft righting, and swimming while wearing a life jacket. MCA-approved certification issued.
• STCW Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting (FPFF) A 2.5-day course forming part of mandatory Basic Safety Training, covering fire prevention, fire fighting techniques, and the use of firefighting equipment using the 3-deck multi-compartment fire training facility. Can be taken independently or as part of the BST package. MCA-approved certification issued.
• STCW Elementary First Aid (EFA) A 1-day course forming part of mandatory Basic Safety Training, providing basic first aid skills for seafarers. Can be taken independently. MCA-approved certification issued.
• STCW Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities (PSSR) A half-day course providing delegates with an introduction to safe working practices and human relationships onboard ship. Part of mandatory Basic Safety Training. MCA-approved certification issued.
• STCW Security Awareness Training (SA) A half-day course for personnel without designated security duties, covering ship security roles, measures, and threat reporting procedures. MCA-approved certification issued.
• STCW Refresher Training Courses MCA-approved updating and refresher courses for seafarers who must maintain STCW certification every five years under the Manila Amendments. Includes Refresher Packages 1, 2, and 3 bundling UPST, UFPFF, UPSCRB, and UAFF courses at bundled prices of £410, £600, and £820 respectively.
• STCW Advanced Training Courses Advanced STCW courses including Fast Rescue Boats (FRB) at £780 for 3 days, Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats (PSCRB), Advanced Fire Fighting (UAFF), and Crowd Management (CM), covering higher-level competencies required for senior seafarer roles.
• GWO Sea Survival Training Course A 1-day GWO (Global Wind Organisation) accredited course for wind energy industry professionals, providing theoretical and practical training in sea survival including cold water entry, life raft use, evacuation from WTG (Wind Turbine Generator), and individual survival techniques. Valid for 2 years. Run in partnership with Checkmate Safety Training.
• GWO Wind Energy Training Programme Global Wind Organisation (GWO) accredited training courses for the wind energy industry, including Sea Survival, Fire Awareness, and ladder training. Courses run in partnership with Checkmate Safety Training and Checkmate Lifting & Safety Training Limited.
• Marine Pilot Ladder Transfer Safety Training A Marine Pilot Ladder Transfer Safety Training course endorsed by the United Kingdom Maritime Pilot Association (UKMPA), covering rigging, inspection, maintenance, risk management, and emergency response during pilot transfer operations. Includes practical transfers over water. Group bookings only at £380 per delegate.
• Luxury Yacht Interior Training (LYIT) Specialised interior training for the luxury yacht sector, offered in partnership with LYIT.co.uk, covering hospitality and service standards for yacht crew.
• MSA Online / eLearning Online and eLearning training delivery channel for maritime courses, including blended learning options combining remote e-learning with face-to-face assessment, such as Qualsafe blended learning programmes.
• Maritime Leadership Training Leadership and management training programmes for maritime professionals, covering skills needed to lead crews and manage maritime operations.
• Bespoke Maritime Training Services Custom training programmes designed and delivered to client specifications, including company-specific procedures, policies, and operational requirements. Trainers can travel globally to deliver on-site at client locations.
• Corporate Team Building Corporate team building using real marine survival training scenarios at MSA facilities. Includes life raft launches, sea survival pool rescue, fire module exercises, and breathing apparatus challenges. Sessions adapted to client requirements and priced from £150 per delegate.
• Health and Safety Training in Kent Non-maritime health and safety training for shore-based personnel and local businesses in Kent, helping organisations operate safely and comply with regulations. Includes fire safety, first aid, and working safely training.
• Commercial Fire Training Commercial fire training including Breathing Apparatus Refresher (BAR) and Operational Fire Fighting (OPFF) courses, available at Dover, Gibraltar, Philippines, or client-specified locations. OPFF is a 1-to-5-day course tailored to incorporate company policies and procedures, priced from £4,800 for minimum group bookings.
• Training Centre Consultancy Services Consultancy service partnering with education institutions, governments, and industry bodies to design and develop internationally accredited maritime and offshore training centres. Covers STCW, GWO, and OPITO programmes with a 5-stage process: Discovery, Feasibility, Design and Approval, Build and Mobilisation, and Operate and Assure.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 5,000 delegates trained annually
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered parent company, core, strategic and regulatory.

• Viking Maritime Groupparent companyOthersParent company of The Maritime Skills Academy. Viking Maritime Group encompasses Viking Crew (leading maritime crew services provider) and was founded in 1988. MSA is part of this diverse group of maritime businesses.
• Viking CrewcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister company within Viking Maritime Group providing maritime crew recruitment and management services. Collaborative relationship with MSA for integrated crew training solutions.
• Checkmate Safety TrainingcoreTechnology or IntegrationHolds GWO accreditation for sea survival and fire awareness courses delivered at MSA Dover location. Provides certified GWO training under partnership arrangement.
• University of GibraltarstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration to establish Gibraltar as a regional hub for maritime skills training. Project creates sustainable training pipeline for seafarers and offshore personnel in the region.
• Luxury Yacht Interior Training (LYIT)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSister brand under Viking Maritime Group focusing on luxury yacht interior and hospitality training. Co-branded partner providing specialised yacht crew training.
• Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA)regulatoryOthersUK government agency providing regulatory accreditation for MSA maritime training courses. Key regulatory partner for STCW and maritime safety certifications.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Stream Marine Training: UK-based private maritime training provider offering STCW, GWO, and OPITO courses with survival pool and fire facilities — directly competes with MSA on the same course categories and customer base.
• Fleetwood Nautical Campus (Blackpool and The Fylde College): UK maritime training college offering STCW basic and advanced safety training courses including fire fighting and survival techniques — competing for the same UK-based seafarer training customers.
• Marine and Safety Training Services (MSTS): UK-based STCW and GWO training provider with survival pool facilities — competes directly with MSA for cruise line, shipping company, and offshore wind training contracts.
• Sealand Training Services: UK maritime training provider offering STCW fire fighting, survival, and basic safety training courses — competes with MSA on similar course catalogue and customer segments.
• South Shields Marine School (Tyne Coast College): UK-based maritime training institution delivering STCW courses including basic safety training, survival, and fire fighting. Closest UK direct peer offering comparable MCA-approved maritime safety courses to commercial seafarers.

Broad incumbents

• RelyOn Nutec: Global safety and survival training provider with extensive GWO, STCW, and offshore courses across multiple geographies — broader incumbent that overlaps with MSA's wind energy and maritime training offerings.
• Kongsberg Maritime Training: Major maritime technology and training provider offering ship-handling simulation and maritime competency training — overlaps with MSA's maritime simulation and crew competency focus areas.
• Survivex (3t Energy Group): Part of 3t Energy Group, one of the largest GWO-accredited training providers globally — competes with MSA on offshore wind safety training including sea survival and fire awareness.
• Maersk Training: International maritime and offshore training provider with multiple global centres offering STCW, GWO, and offshore safety courses — broad incumbent with overlapping portfolio and larger scale.

Regional players

• Real Training (City of Glasgow College): UK maritime training provider offering STCW, GWO, and offshore courses — operates primarily in Scotland but competes with MSA for UK and international maritime training customers in adjacent geographic territory.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/VikingMaritimeGroup
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-maritime-skills-academy-limited
• Instagraminstagram.com/vikingmaritime

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 THE MARITIME SKILLS ACADEMY LIMITED