ma-co

What ma-co does

ma-co maritimes competenzcentrum GmbH is a Hamburg-headquartered vocational training provider founded in 1975 that delivers certified education programs for the German seaport, logistics, and maritime sectors. The company operates across four German port locations (Hamburg as headquarters, Bremen, Bremerhaven, Wilhelmshaven) and qualifies more than 8,500 participants annually through a core team of 50 staff supplemented by 80 freelance trainers.

The training portfolio spans eight interconnected domains: Hafen & Umschlag (Port & Handling), Logistik, Gefahrgut & Zoll (Dangerous Goods & Customs), Leadership, Offshore & Renewables, Maritime Training, Safety & Security, and IT Business Training. Programs cover regulatory certifications including maritime Patente, IHK/HWK exam preparation (Fachkraft für Hafenlogistik, Hafenfacharbeiter, Geprüfter Logistikmeister), dangerous goods compliance (IATA/ICAO), offshore safety standards (OPITO, GWO), and STCW 78 maritime qualifications. Specialized facilities include a Digital Training Center (DTC) for simulation-based port-process training and a Maritime Rescue Training Center (MRTC), both of which represent capital-intensive investments distinct from classroom training alone. The company also runs the PortSkill 4.0 research project (presented 2026-02) and participates in PortKIDialog+2035.

Revenue is generated on a per-course unit-pricing basis, with individual seminars priced from 0 EUR (publicly funded offerings) up to 4,350 EUR (premium certifications). Delivery occurs through open enrollment at ma-co's own training centers and through in-house/customized programs delivered at client sites. The business holds DIN ISO 9001:2015 certification and is an approved training provider (Zugelassener Träger) under German employment promotion law, qualifying participants to access publicly funded workforce development programs. Customer segments include German seaport workers, logistics and warehousing companies, offshore wind and oil & gas personnel, international maritime seafarers, and corporate clients commissioning customized in-house programs. Recent curriculum additions target sustainability leadership (Sustainable Leader in Logistics) and hydrogen-economy workforce readiness (Wasserstoff erleben).

Name

ma-co

Legal name

ma-co maritimes competenzcentrum GmbH

Website

https://ma-co.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1975

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ma-co maritimes competenzcentrum GmbH, headquartered in Hamburg and founded in 1975, is a German vocational training provider that certifies more than 8,500 seaport, logistics, offshore, and maritime professionals annually across four port-city locations (Hamburg, Bremen, Bremerhaven, Wilhelmshaven) using 50 staff and 80 freelance trainers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Maritime and Port Vocational Training

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Apprenticeship Training (611513), Technical and Trade Schools (61151)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Navigation, Seamanship & Offshore Operations (EDAOANAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Maritime Safety, Security & Compliance (STCW/ISM/ISPS) (EDAOANAD), Marine Engineering & Engine Room Operations (EDAOANAB), Maritime Safety Management Systems & Training (ISM/ISO 45001, Drills, Competency) (TLAHANAF), Naval Training, Simulation & Shore-Based Test Facilities (IMAJABAN)

Keywords

• Maritime vocational training
• Port logistics training
• Dangerous goods certification
• Offshore safety training
• Professional development courses

Headquarters

HQ city

Hamburg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Training and seminar delivery: Revenue generated from delivering seminars, workshops, certifications, and professional education programs across Hafen & Umschlag, Logistik, Offshore & Renewables, Maritime Training, Gefahrgut & Zoll, Leadership, Safety & Security, and IT Business Training categories. Training is offered as open enrollment at ma-co locations and as customized in-house programs at client sites.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

ma-co maritimes competenzcentrum GmbH delivers vocational training and seminars for the German seaport, port logistics, offshore, maritime, dangerous goods, leadership, safety, and IT sectors. It runs certified courses across eight training categories at its centers in Hamburg, Bremen, Bremerhaven, and Wilhelmshaven, and on client sites, qualifying roughly 8,500 participants annually for roles such as Hafenfacharbeiter, Fachkraft für Hafenlogistik, and Geprüfter Logistikmeister.

Product overview

ma-co maritimes competenzcentrum GmbH is a maritime training and education provider (Bildungsträger) for German seaports, port-adjacent logistics, and international seafaring and offshore industries. The company operates as a unified training platform offering eight core training categories: Hafen & Umschlag (Port & Handling), Logistik (Logistics), Gefahrgut & Zoll (Dangerous Goods & Customs), Leadership, Offshore & Renewables, Maritime Training, Safety & Security, and IT Business Training. These categories encompass specific vocational qualifications (Fachkraft für Hafenlogistik, Hafenfacharbeiter, Logistikmeister), equipment/patent training programs, and specialized certification courses. The company also operates dedicated training facilities including the Digital Training Center (DTC) for digitalized port process training and the Maritime Rescue Training Center (MRTC). Annually, ma-co qualifies over 8,500 participants through a team of 50 internal staff and 80 freelance trainers across locations in Hamburg (headquarters), Bremen, Bremerhaven, and Wilhelmshaven.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Hafen & Umschlag (Port & Handling) Training Vocational and continuing-education courses covering dock work, crane operation, freight inspection, and surveying, including qualifications such as Hafenfacharbeiter and Fachkraft für Hafenlogistik. Targeted at employees of seaports, stevedoring firms, and port handling companies.
• Logistik Training Vocational qualification and continuing-education programs in logistics, including the Geprüfter Logistikmeister (Certified Logistics Manager) and related warehouse, transport, and supply-chain courses. Designed for logistics service providers, warehousing operators, and supply-chain companies.
• Offshore & Renewables Training Safety and operational training programs aligned with GWO and other offshore standards, covering offshore wind, oil & gas, and renewables deployment. Targeted at offshore wind farm operators, offshore oil & gas companies, and renewables contractors.
• Maritime Training (STCW) STCW-compliant maritime training and revalidation courses for seafarers and maritime personnel. Targeted at shipping companies, maritime employers, and crew requiring certified maritime qualifications.
• Gefahrgut & Zoll (Dangerous Goods & Customs) Training Certification courses for dangerous goods officers (Gefahrgutbeauftragte), hazardous materials handling, and customs procedures, covering ADR, IMDG, and IATA frameworks. Targeted at shippers, freight forwarders, customs brokers, and inspection companies.
• Leadership Training Continuing-education courses in leadership, communication, project management, and methodology for managers and professionals in the maritime, port logistics, and offshore sectors.
• Safety & Security Training Occupational safety and security courses for the maritime, port, and offshore environments, including workplace safety, fire protection, and security-related training.
• IT Business Training Business software, IT, and digital skills courses covering common office and business applications, targeted at professionals across ma-co's maritime, port, logistics, and offshore client base.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CEA Certification GmbHcoreOthersCEA Certification GmbH serves as the certifying body for ma-co's quality management system (DIN ISO 9001:2015) and as the Fachkundige Stelle (qualified body) for ma-co's status as an approved training provider under German employment promotion law.
• Weiterbildung Hamburg e.V.minorOthersWeiterbildung Hamburg e.V. is a Hamburg-based continuing education association that recognizes ma-co as a tested continuing education institution and provides consumer protection services for participants.
• Maritimes Cluster Norddeutschland e.V. (MCN)minorStrategic or Co-development Partnerma-co participates in the Maritimes Cluster Norddeutschland, a maritime industry network with 350+ members across five north German states. ma-co was involved in the MCN Cup innovation competition and related maritime cluster activities.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Seagull Maritime: Seagull provides e-learning and onboard training for seafarers under STCW frameworks, competing with ma-co's Maritime Training category through digital delivery that complements or substitutes instructor-led maritime courses.
• Wärtsilä Land & Sea Academy: Wärtsilä Land & Sea Academy runs simulation-based maritime and engine-room training worldwide, competing most directly with ma-co's Marine Engineering / Engine Room Operations and maritime rescue/simulation content.
• Stream Marine Training: Stream Marine Training delivers OPITO, STCW, and offshore safety courses from UK and European centres, competing with ma-co for offshore wind and maritime safety enrolments in the wider North Sea market.
• Falck Safety Services: Falck operates safety and offshore training centres in northern Europe with GWO and OPITO accreditations, competing with ma-co's Offshore & Renewables and Safety & Security categories across Germany and neighboring markets.

Others

• Handwerkskammer / IHK Weiterbildung Centres: Chambers of Crafts (HWK) and Industry and Commerce (IHK) deliver publicly funded vocational qualifications and exam preparation in Germany; ma-co prepares candidates for IHK exams, making these chambers both upstream partners and adjacent providers competing for retraining budgets.

Broad incumbents

• DNV Training: DNV's maritime training arm delivers STCW, ISM, and safety courses globally and competes with ma-co's Maritime Training category, particularly for shipping companies operating in northern European ports.
• DEKRA Akademie: DEKRA Akademie provides vocational retraining, dangerous goods, forklift, and logistics certifications across Germany, competing with ma-co for the same employer-sponsored and Bildungsgutschein-funded learners in port-adjacent regions.
• Maersk Training: Maersk Training is a global provider of maritime, offshore, and safety training with GWO and OPITO approved centres, competing with ma-co for offshore wind and shipping company training contracts across Europe.
• Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore: Bureau Veritas provides classification society-linked maritime training and certification, overlapping with ma-co's STCW and maritime safety offerings for the German-flag and international vessel operator customer base.
• TÜV NORD Akademie: TÜV NORD Akademie is one of Germany's largest technical and safety training providers, offering dangerous goods, occupational safety, port logistics, and certification courses that overlap directly with ma-co's portfolio, though from a much broader multi-industry footprint.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCVyxqyu3xiSOwhmZVJXMv8A
• Facebookfacebook.com/maritimescompetenzcentrum
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ma-co-maritimes-competenzcentrum
• Instagraminstagram.com/maco_gmbh

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 ma-co