Director's Welcome
Welcome aboard the Singapore Maritime Academy (SMA)!
SMA's history began in 1957 when the Singapore Polytechnic (SP) took over the responsibility of navigation classes from the Sailor's Institution. SMA celebrated her 50th year in Maritime Education and Training with the launch of SatCom@SMA - a maritime satellite communications centre in partnership with SingTel.
You will discover that we have three distinct areas of operation: Marine Engineering, Maritime Business and Nautical Studies. As the country's main maritime training institution, SMA offers a full range of maritime diplomas and specialist diplomas, Certificate of Competency (CoC) courses as well as Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) courses. Our courses are infused with technological perspectives that increase their relevance in today's world.
Graduates from SMA's diploma courses can pursue relevant degree courses in renowned universities with advanced standings, such as:
- Maritime Institute Willem Barentsz at the NHL University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands where our graduates can advance to a Bachelor of Maritime Operations (BMO) or a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree
- SIT-Newcastle University (UK) where Marine Engineering graduates can progress to any of the three Bachelor of Engineering with Honours in Marine Engineering; Naval Architecture; or Offshore Engineering
- University of Plymouth (UK) where Maritime Business and Maritime Transportation Management graduates can complete in one year the Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Maritime Business and Maritime Logistics, or Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Maritime Business and Maritime Law.
Our resources range from state-of-the-art simulators in navigation, communication, cargo-handling and ship's engine to sophisticated electrical, electronics and IT-based shipping commerce & trading laboratories. SMA's Poly Marina houses our seamanship training centre. Here, we have our canoes, yachts, boats and lifeboats. This facility is also used as a yachting centre to promote a healthy lifestyle amongst students. The academy also launched the SMA-SMTC Safety Training Centre (SSSTC), located at the Poly Marina, which provides safety training for personnel working in the offshore oil and gas industry.
The most recent award clinched by SMA was the Seatrade Asia Awards 2011 for The Education and Training Award. SMA was awarded the global Seatrade Awards 2009 (London) for Investment in People with High Commendation, inaugural Seatrade Asia Awards 2008 for Education and Training and Lloyd's List Asia Awards 2008 for the Training and Crewing' category of excellence. In the decade of Lloyd's List Asia Awards, SMA won seven consecutive awards of a similar category - The Best Seafarer Training Institute and The Youth Development awards.
A series of accolades achieved by SMA over the years are:
| Name of Awards |
Year |
| Lloyd's List Asia Award |
2000, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 & 2008 |
Seatrade Awards (London)
Investment in People – High Commendation |
2009 |
Seatrade Asia Awards
(The Education and Training Award) |
2008, 2011 |
Marine BizTV 2nd Annual International Maritime Awards
(Best Maritime Institute) |
2008 |
Over the years, Singapore has developed into a global hub port and a leading International Maritime Centre (IMC). SMA has played an important role by providing quality maritime education and training for more than 50 years. The numerous awards accorded to SMA signify the strong endorsements by the maritime industry on SMA's programmes.
We bring to our campus a wonderful and diverse cohort of international students. Here you will find people, programmes and ideas that create an environment for learning unlike any other. We hope to shape the future through innovative means - the future of our students, our nation, and the maritime community at large.
The Singapore Maritime Academy and its graduates have contributed much to Singapore's status as an International Maritime Centre.
"I am proud to be at the helm of the Singapore Maritime Academy at Singapore Polytechnic. I believe that the decade ahead will be one of great importance in the history of Maritime Education and Training. I look forward to the challenges and the opportunities they will present".
I invite you to explore our Academy. We appreciate your interest, and we hope you will visit us often, on the Internet or in person.
Roland Tan
Director, Singapore Maritime Academy
Singapore Polytechnic
