At the turn of the year, Chalmers School of Maritime Studies will be established at Lindholmen, bringing together maritime education, industry collaboration and infrastructure related to shipping.
With this initiative, Chalmers University of Technology is taking a comprehensive approach to strengthen the conditions for maintaining high quality in maritime education and in industry-oriented development and research within the sector.
Maritime education closer to industry
“Gothenburg has a proud maritime tradition, and at Chalmers we aim to continue developing it,” says Jörgen Blennow, Vice President for Education at Chalmers. “It is encouraging to see growing interest in our maritime programmes, both from prospective students and from employers.”
For students in Chalmers’ maritime programmes, there will be no immediate changes in their day-to-day studies. In the long term, however, the new Chalmers School of Maritime Studies will provide clearer conditions for education and for establishing new collaborations around needs-driven research and development together with the maritime industry.
A shared building becomes the hub
The most tangible change in the near future is that Chalmers’ maritime education activities will be brought together under one roof in the Saga building at Lindholmen. In the coming days, a feasibility study will begin, where architects, students, and staff will jointly explore the possibilities for the facilities.
“This offers a fantastic opportunity to build a world-class study and working environment,” says Fredrik Olindersson, who led the working group that prepared the decision basis for the establishment of Chalmers School of Maritime Studies. “Imagine a shipping company holding its officers’ conference in our facilities, where students can once again meet officers from their training vessels – it will make them feel even more a part of the maritime community and help them connect with potential employers. We want to create a natural meeting place for the entire shipping industry.”
A Maritime Council will also be established within Chalmers School of Maritime Studies, with both internal and external representatives. The council will discuss needs related to education, lifelong learning, and industry-driven research. Its purpose is to further strengthen ties with the maritime sector and ensure that the industry remains closely involved in the university’s activities.
An independent but integrated operation
Chalmers School of Maritime Studies will be formally established on 1 January 2026, and will consist of the activities and staff currently part of the Division of Maritime Studies within the Department of Mechanics and Maritime Sciences (M2).
Organisationally, it will be a results unit reporting directly to the President and will form an integrated part of Chalmers University of Technology and its educational organisation.
“Chalmers School of Maritime Studies will work closely with several departments engaged in maritime research, but it will not be administratively tied to any single department,” says Deputy President Maria Elmquist, who will be delegated line responsibility for the new unit by the President. “Creating an independent entity opens new possibilities to reach out externally and attract more students to a field with great needs. It also facilitates more external collaborations, for example with authorities and other actors across the wider maritime sector.”
The recruitment of a Head of School will now begin.
Information about Chalmers’ programmes in maritime education
Contact
- Lecturer, Maritime Studies, Mechanics and Maritime Sciences