What Marstal Navigationsskole does

Marstal Navigationsskole (operating as MARNAV) is a self-governing Danish maritime education institution founded in 1861 and headquartered in Marstal on Ærø island, Region Syddanmark. It operates under the Danish Ministry of Education and Research (Uddannelses- og Forskningsministeriet) with formal examination rights regulated by the Danish Maritime Authority (Søfartsstyrelsen), and is the only institution in Denmark approved to deliver the Færgenavigatør (Ferry Navigator) education for ferries under 500 BT. The school serves approximately 55 staff members and offers a portfolio of core programs including HF-Søfart (combining upper secondary HF exam with seafaring), Kystskipper (Coastal Captain), Skibsfører (Ship Captain, 2-year program), Færgenavigatør (14 months), Aspirant cadet pathway, and "Læs mens du sejler" (Study While You Sail) flexible options.

The school's technical infrastructure is built around simulation-based and hands-on training: a Full Mission Ship Simulator for navigation, a Cargo Simulator for cargo handling, ballasting, and emergency procedures, e-learning courses delivered via the Itslearning platform, and on-water practice vessels including exercise boats "Nis" and "Jan," a Viking Fast Rescue Boat, a Viking Lifeboat, and a historic rowboat "Travaljen." A new workshop facility (Fremtidens Værksted) is under construction for completion in January 2026. The school is also engaged in R&D partnerships including the Maritime Battery Life project with Teknologisk Institut and SDU Sønderborg, and the MARS II maritime autonomy initiative.

Revenue is generated through four streams: (1) taxameter-based government funding tied to student enrollment under the Ministry's framework, (2) participant-paid fees for open education ("Åben uddannelse") courses, (3) boarding school fees for student dormitories (4. maj kollegiet and Marinebo), and (4) consulting and development services in maritime fields. Customer segments span Danish youth pursuing maritime careers, working maritime professionals seeking certification, ferry operators recruiting interns (with Molslinjen and DFDS as expected Phase 2 partners), and shipping companies. Go-to-market combines direct website application, the national optagelse.dk portal for HF programs, the NemTilmeld course registration platform, twice-yearly open house events, bridging programs for middle schoolers, and career counselor networks.

Name

Marstal Navigationsskole

Legal name

Marstal Navigationsskole

Website

https://marnav.dk

Company type

Public

Founded year

1861

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Marstal Navigationsskole is a Danish self-governing maritime education institution on Ærø island offering certified navigator and captain training programs, including the Denmark-unique Færgenavigatør education, for youth students, working maritime professionals, and ferry operators under the Ministry of Education and Research.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Maritime Education

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Navigation, Seamanship & Offshore Operations (EDAOANAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Merchant Marine & Deck Operations (EDAOANAA), Maritime Safety Management Systems & Training (ISM/ISO 45001, Drills, Competency) (TLAHANAF)

Keywords

• Maritime education
• Ship captain training
• Ferry navigator certification
• Coastal navigation courses
• Seafaring youth programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Marstal

HQ country

Denmark

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Funding (Taxameter): As a self-governing institution under the Ministry of Education and Research, the school receives government funding based on student enrollment (taxameter system). Students receive SU (State Education Grant) for living expenses.
2. Course Fees (Participant Payment): Fees charged for open education courses, continuing education, and re-certification exams. Participant payment covers teaching costs. Special courses require 25% deposit upon contract signing with balance due 8 days before course start.
3. Boarding School Fees: Fees for student dormitory accommodation. Free for students under 18 on HF-Søfart. Students 18+ pay 2,045 DKK/month for 11 months (11,495 DKK total) for first-year; 5,294 DKK/month for second and third year. Includes admission fee of 2,500 DKK.
4. Consulting and Development Services: The school offers consulting and development services within maritime and related fields, providing specialized expertise to the industry.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Marstal Navigationsskole delivers formal maritime education and certification programs — including Kystskipper (Coastal Captain), Skibsfører (Ship Captain), Færgenavigatør (Ferry Navigator), Aspirant, and HF-Søfart (combined upper secondary + seafaring) — plus continuing/open education courses, e-learning courses, full-mission ship simulator training, and on-campus boarding facilities. Programs combine classroom instruction, simulator-based navigation training, and hands-on practice aboard training vessels to qualify students as licensed mariners.

Product overview

Marstal Navigationsskole is a self-governing institution under the Ministry of Education and Research, offering a portfolio of maritime education programs and training services. The core offerings include: HF-Søfart (combining upper secondary education with seafaring training), Kystskipper (Coastal Captain) education available in-person and online, Skibsfører (Ship Captain) education as a 2-year professional program, and the unique Færgenavigatør (Ferry Navigator) education. Supporting services include e-learning courses, full-mission ship simulator training, maritime safety courses, and boarding school accommodation. The institution also conducts development projects in maritime green transition and digitalization.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Skibsføreruddannelsen (Ship Captain Education) A 4-semester (2-year) education program qualifying graduates as 2nd Mate, with progression to 1st Mate after one year of service and ultimately to Ship Captain for all vessels worldwide.
• Kystskipperuddannelsen (Coastal Captain Education)

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% job placement for Færgenavigatør graduates
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.

• Teknologisk InstitutcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Research and education partner in Maritime Battery Life project. Conducts advanced analysis and testing of used battery packs from electric ferries. Responsible for research and education components alongside SDU Sønderborg.
• SDU Sønderborg (Syddansk Universitet)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Research and education partner in Maritime Battery Life project. Partner in MARS II project for maritime autonomy. Contributes to data analysis and knowledge development for green transition in maritime sector.
• Ærøfærgerne (Færgerederiet)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides operational experience and data from prototype electric ferry Ellen (operating since 2018) for Battery Life project. Supplies battery packs for testing and analysis.
• FærgesekretariatetcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with MARNAV in developing the Færgenavigatør (Ferry Navigator) education program. Continued partner in maritime projects including MARS II and Battery Life phase 2.
• DSUK (Danske Sømands- og Udenlandskirker)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration in SøfartsNetværket project focused on improving well-being among young seafarers. Project studies student expectations before/after first deployment and identifies support needs.
• SIMAC (Svendborg International Maritime Academy)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead partner in MARS II project for maritime autonomy and green transition. Partner in SøfartsNetværk for student welfare. Collaborates on maritime education development.
• VUC FyncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for HF-Søfart program combining gymnasium education with maritime training. VUC Fyn handles academic HF components while MARNAV provides maritime education.
• Ærø KommunecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner in Campus Ærø and MARS II projects. Project owner for Campus Ærø. Supports educational development on Ærø island.
• MolslinjenminorOthersExpected associated partner in Maritime Battery Life project Phase 2 for electric ferry battery management research.
• DFDSminorOthersExpected associated partner in Maritime Battery Life project Phase 2 for electric ferry battery management research.
• KvinfomajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDeveloped teaching material 'SÆT KURSEN' for promoting healthy culture, inclusion, and diversity on ships and maritime workplaces. Material addresses communication, inclusion, and preventing harassment.
• ItslearningcoreTechnology or IntegrationLearning management system used for course materials, assignments, and student communication. Enables remote access to educational content.
• WISEflowcoreTechnology or IntegrationExamination platform used for conducting and managing exams at the school.
• DanfossminorOthersExpected supplier for Maritime Battery Life project Phase 2 battery components.
• LeclanchéminorOthersExpected supplier for Maritime Battery Life project Phase 2 battery technology.
• SH-GroupminorOthersExpected supplier for Maritime Battery Life project Phase 2 battery systems.
• Syddansk UniversitetmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on dyslexia support and reading assistance for students. University provides specialized support and resources for students with reading difficulties.
• DeiC (Danish e-Infrastructure Cooperation)minorOthersProvides Data Protection Officer (DPO) service. Contact: Susanne Groth, [email protected].
• Uddannelses- og ForskningsministerietcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent ministry overseeing school operations. School operates under ministry regulations and has strategic framework contract for 2022-2025 with strategic goals.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• MARTEC (Maritime Training and Education Center): Danish maritime vocational training center offering navigation and maritime officer programs. Directly comparable to MARNAV as a competing Danish vocational maritime school serving the same seafarer training market with overlapping program offerings.
• SIMAC (Svendborg International Maritime Academy): Danish maritime vocational academy and confirmed lead partner of MARNAV in the MARS II project and SøfartsNetværket. Directly comparable as another Danish vocational maritime education institution offering navigation, engineering, and ship officer programs with similar target audience and regulatory framework.

Broad incumbents

• World Maritime University: IMO-established international maritime university in Malmö, Sweden offering postgraduate maritime education and research. Broader incumbent operating at university level rather than vocational, but addresses the same maritime workforce development mission across the Nordic region.
• Warsash Maritime Academy (Solent University): UK-based maritime training academy offering navigation, engineering, and STCW certification programs. Broader incumbent serving the UK and international maritime workforce market, with substantially larger scale than MARNAV but comparable vocational focus.

Regional players

• Hochschule Flensburg: German University of Applied Sciences located on the Danish-German border offering maritime technology, nautical science, and shipping management programs. Regional peer serving the adjacent German maritime market with comparable vocational-academic curriculum.

Others

• Molslinjen: Danish ferry operator running major domestic ferry routes, identified as expected Phase 2 partner in MARNAV's Maritime Battery Life project. Direct employer of MARNAV's Ferry Navigator graduates and strategic partner for electric ferry training demand.
• Danske Rederier (Danish Shipping): Danish shipowners' industry association representing Blue Denmark employers. Represents the broader maritime industry that recruits MARNAV graduates and advocates for maritime workforce policy at the national level.
• Søfartsstyrelsen (Danish Maritime Authority): Danish regulatory authority that audits MARNAV and approves maritime education programs. Acts as the regulator and quality assurance body that grants MARNAV its exclusive Ferry Navigator approval authority.
• DFDS: Major Danish ferry and shipping operator, identified as expected Phase 2 partner in MARNAV's Maritime Battery Life project. Customer relationship and strategic partner for the green maritime transition curriculum.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/marnav.dk
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/marnav-pte.-ltd.
• Instagraminstagram.com/marstal_navigationsskole/?hl=da

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 Marstal Navigationsskole