Top maritime schools in the Philippines

Top maritime schools in the Philippines
Liz Lagniton August 18, 2025 https://maritimefairtrade.org/top-maritime-schools-in-the-philippines/

The Philippines doesn’t just have 7,641 islands, it has a fleet of sailors that spans the globe. For centuries, this archipelago has been a maritime powerhouse, supplying skilled crews to ships in every ocean.

Climb aboard almost any international vessel, and there’s a good chance you’ll find a Filipino at the helm, in the engine room, or on deck. Industry data backs it up: one in every five seafarers worldwide comes from the Philippines.

“Beyond being an archipelagic nation with a deep history tied to the sea, our real advantage lies in attitude. Filipino seafarers are resilient, hardworking, have a strong work ethic, can communicate in English, adapt easily, are patient, and are willing to take on tasks beyond their duties,” Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA)’s administrator Sonia Malaluan told Maritime Fairtrade.

Renowned for discipline, resilience, and technical know-how, Filipino mariners are in constant demand. That demand has driven the country’s maritime schools to build world-class programs, combining academic rigor, hands-on training, and a global perspective.

Accredited by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and recognized by MARINA, many schools also test their mettle in the Maritime Schools Assessment Program (MSAP), where top scores can turn cadets into hot prospects for major shipping companies.

As of May 2025, MARINA lists 83 maritime higher education institutions offering Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation (BSMT) and/or Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering (BSMarE) programs, eight of which are state universities and colleges.

In this feature, we chart a course through some of the country’s top maritime schools, the institutions helping the Philippines steer its reputation as the world’s leading source of seafarers.

Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific (MAAP)

Located in Mariveles, Bataan, the Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific sits on 122 hectares of land. It was founded in 1998 by now-deceased Captain Gregorio S Oca, then president of the Associated Marine Officers’ and Seamen’s Union of the Philippines (AMOSUP). Operated by AMOSUP, MAAP was envisioned as the country’s premier maritime institution.

The academy is supported by the Danish Shipowners’ Association, Norwegian Shipowners’ Association, Japanese Shipowners’ Association, and the International Transport Workers’ Federation, among others. It has modern facilities, including advanced simulators, training vessels, and the Center for Advanced Maritime Studies.

Accredited by CHED, MAAP offers four-year scholarship programs in marine transportation and marine engineering. Only 500 cadets are admitted per year level under a full scholarship, with sponsorship from shipowners’ associations and priority given to qualified AMOSUP dependents who pass the entrance exams, interview, fitness test, and medical exam.

The AMOSUP Seamen’s Training Center also provides graduates with retraining and specialized courses for career development. In the 2024 MSAP, MAAP ranked first nationwide, with six of the top ten deck cadets, including the top scorer, and four of the top ten engine cadets coming from the academy.

MOL Magsaysay Maritime Academy (MMMA)

In Dasmariñas, Cavite, a newcomer has made waves in record time. The MOL (Mitsui OSK Lines) Magsaysay Maritime Academy was founded in 2018 as a joint venture between Japan’s MOL and the Magsaysay Maritime Corporation. From day one, its mission has been clear: To produce globally competitive maritime professionals through outcome-based education rooted in excellence, discipline, and service.

The academy’s 13.7-hectare campus is a study in modern maritime education. The “Ship-In Campus” concept integrates dormitories, classrooms, and training facilities into a compact environment that simulates shipboard life. It offers maritime industry programs such as BSMarE and BSMT. These programs prepare cadets not just to pass exams but to lead crews and manage vessels under stringent international safety and environmental standards.

Cadets undertake shipboard training on MOL vessels, gaining real-world experience early in their studies. This approach yielded results in the 2024 MSAP: MMMA placed second in both BSMT and BSMarE categories nationwide. For an institution less than a decade old, this performance signals a rapid rise in the maritime education hierarchy.

John B Lacson Foundation Maritime University (JBLFMU)

In Iloilo City, maritime education is not just a business, it’s a legacy. Founded in 1948, the John B Lacson Foundation Maritime University was the first maritime university in the Philippines, expanding over the decades into a network of campuses in Arevalo, Bacolod, and Molo. Generations of seafarers have passed through its halls, carrying the JBLFMU name to ports across the globe.

The university offers degree programs in marine transportation and marine engineering, along with short-term training courses accredited by MARINA, CHED, and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). Its curriculum follows global standards and includes outcomes-based education, with plans to integrate artificial intelligence into navigation and engineering instruction.

In 2024, the Arevalo campus placed third in the Deck category of the MSAP examination, while the Molo and Bacolod campuses ranked fifth and sixth, respectively, in the Engine category. Partnerships with industry and modern simulation facilities help ensure graduates are equipped to meet the demands of the maritime profession.

University of Cebu – Maritime Education and Training Center (UC-METC)

In the Visayan maritime hub of Cebu, the University of Cebu’s Maritime Education and Training Center focuses on producing industry-ready graduates. Offering degrees in marine engineering and marine transportation alongside STCW-compliant training courses, UC-METC provides seafarers with thorough teaching and training complete with technological simulators. It is known for integrating academic study with hands-on experience.

Its simulation suites replicate high-pressure navigation and engineering scenarios, while partnerships with shipping companies, including the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association, ensure cadets have direct pathways to employment. The NSA’s on-campus immersion model, complete with supervised dormitories, prepares students for life at sea before they ever step aboard.

UC-METC’s performance in the 2024 MSAP was strong: sixth overall and seventh in the Engine category. Sister campuses such as UCLM in Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue also rank among the nation’s best, demonstrating the university’s consistent quality across locations.

Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA)

Founded in 1820, the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy is the country’s state-run maritime school and one of the oldest in Asia. Located in San Narciso, Zambales, PMMA combines academic rigor with military-style discipline, preparing cadets, called midshipmen, for both commercial and naval careers.

Degree programs in marine transportation and marine engineering follow a four-year structure, with the third year spent at sea aboard international vessels. Graduates are commissioned as ensigns in the Philippine Navy Reserve, giving them the option to serve in defense or the merchant marine.

The academy’s blend of technical expertise, leadership training, and patriotic service has produced generations of leaders across the maritime industry. PMMA alumni hold positions ranging from ship captains to naval commanders, underscoring the institution’s pivotal role in shaping the country’s maritime identity.

Palompon Institute of Technology (PIT)

Along Leyte’s western coast, the Palompon Institute of Technology has transformed from a vocational school in 1961 into one of Eastern Visayas’ most respected maritime colleges. Offering affordable programs in marine transportation and marine engineering, PIT serves as a gateway to seafaring careers for students who might otherwise lack access to specialized training.

Despite its modest tuition, PIT delivers results: Consistently strong passing rates in national board exams and graduates valued for their work ethic and competence.

Its proximity to major shipping lanes provides opportunities for practical training, and scholarships help make maritime education accessible to low- and middle-income families.
Southwestern College of Maritime Business and Technology (SCMBT)

Established in 2002 to meet the demand for skilled maritime professionals in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro, SCMBT offers degree programs in marine transportation and marine engineering, along with TESDA-registered technical-vocational courses.

Its values-driven approach focuses on producing graduates who are technically competent and guided by diligence, honesty, and patriotism. That philosophy has translated into national recognition: in the 2024 MSAP, SCMBT ranked fifth overall, with particular strength in the Deck Cadet category.

SCMBT continues to rise as a trusted name in the maritime sector, providing opportunities for students in southern Luzon to join the global seafaring workforce.

DMMA College of Southern Philippines

Known until 1993 as the Davao Merchant Marine Academy, DMMA College of Southern Philippines in Davao City is a key player in Mindanao’s maritime education landscape. Its flagship marine transportation and marine engineering programs are supplemented by courses in customs administration, hospitality management, and information technology.

DMMA’s 2024 MSAP performance was impressive: Seventh overall, with a third-place finish in the Engine Cadet category. Scholarships, including the NSA Philippine Cadetship Program, open doors for students to train aboard international vessels, strengthening their employability.

By blending academic rigor, practical training, and values-based instruction, DMMA has become a launchpad for aspiring mariners from Davao and beyond.
University of Antique

The University of Antique’s College of Maritime Studies in Western Visayas has steadily climbed the national rankings, and its 2024 MSAP results mark a milestone: a 100 percent passing rate in the Deck category, eighth place in Deck, and tenth in Engine.

Degree programs in marine transportation and marine engineering are paired with community outreach efforts, such as safety training for local fisherfolk through partnerships with the Globe Maritime Training Center. Scholarships from CHED and local governments ensure that capable students can pursue maritime careers regardless of financial constraints.

UA’s dual commitment to academic excellence and social responsibility makes it a standout in the region.

Capitol University

Since 1974, Capitol University’s College of Maritime Education in Cagayan de Oro has been training merchant marine officers with a strong focus on discipline, leadership, and technical skill. The college is divided into marine transportation and marine engineering departments, supported by modern training tools such as radar/ Automatic Radar Plotting Aids (ARPA) simulators and an Integrated Bridge Console.

The institution has steadfastly pursued its mission of producing highly trained and well-equipped graduates who are fully qualified under both domestic and international standards. In the 2024 MSAP, it placed fourth nationwide, affirming its academic strength and its vision of developing “Total Persons” ready to lead at sea and beyond.

To keep pace with industry demands, the college continually upgrades its facilities, including advanced Poseidon ARPA/RADAR and GMDSS simulators, an Integrated Bridge Console for navigation students, and an Engine Control Console for engineering students.

Charting the course ahead

The sea has always been part of the Philippine story, but in the modern era, it has also become one of its greatest exports — human skill and dedication aboard ships that crisscross the globe. These institutions, each in their own way, are stewards of that legacy.

Through scholarships, cutting-edge training, and international partnerships, they ensure that the next generation of Filipino mariners will not only meet global standards but set them. For young Filipinos, the choice of a maritime school is more than an academic decision, it is the first voyage in a career that may take them around the world.

And as long as these schools continue to produce officers and engineers of skill, integrity, and resilience, the Philippines will remain what it has long been: a seafaring nation at the heart of the global fleet.