The demand for competent and educated leaders in the maritime industry, both onboard ships at sea, and in organisations onshore, is higher than ever. In this master’s programme, you will prepare to take up vital roles as a future leader in the maritime industry — guiding it into a new era, and tackling the challenges of complex logistics, digitalisation, rapid AI development and the strictest demands on quality.
The programme will give you theoretical and practical knowledge in subjects such as project management, sustainable shipping, AI, quality, risk, and safety management. Chalmers University of Technology has a world-class reputation in the shipping industry, and you will be educated to the highest standards.
Maritime management master's programme at Chalmers
Become a competent leader, both onboard ships and in onshore organisations, through a master’s programme that will prepare you for an industry characterised by complex logistics, strict regulatory compliance, high quality demands, and increasing requirements for social, environmental and financial sustainability.
Whether you have previous industry experience as an officer or shore-based personnel, or are new to the field, you will have the opportunity to further develop your knowledge and strengthen your leadership skills. This programme will broaden and deepen your skills in logistics, law, sustainability, accounting, quality management, organisation and leadership, project management, research methods, risk and safety management, and the application of AI.
Through a combination of mandatory and elective courses, you will be able to specialise in areas such as maritime logistics and supply chain management, maritime law and business development, or sustainable shipping. As part of your studies, you will also have the opportunity to develop your academic skills and engage in research projects, preparing you for both professional and academic career paths.
Topics covered
Leadership and management of resources are fundamental areas in the master’s programme Maritime management. The courses included in the programme plan handle topics such as project management, organization and strategy, quality management, maritime law, AI and digitalisation, intermodal transport, social and environmental sustainability.
Career
There is a growing need for competent and educated leaders in the maritime industry, and this programme prepares you to meet that demand. As a graduate, you will be able to apply for management positions in both the private and public sectors. Career opportunities can be found in logistics, ship management, freight planning, strategic management, human resource management, safety management, IT development, R&D development and ship broking.
You may begin your career at shipping companies, terminal operators, IT companies, insurance companies, or public authorities such as local port authorities, the coast guard, and flag state administrations.
The programme also provides a strong foundation if you want to pursue an academic path, with opportunities to continue as a PhD student in logistics, navigation or IT.
Research
At Chalmers, you will be part of leading maritime research at the department of Mechanics and maritime sciences. The research is carried out together with universities and research institutes from all over the world, companies in the maritime industry, and public authorities at local, regional and international levels. This means your studies are directly linked to real challenges in the sector.
As a student, you will also benefit from research funded by the European Union through HORIZON, the Swedish maritime competency centre Lighthouse, and national and regional organisations. You will have the chance to take part in projects such as the AUTOBarge project on autonomous barges for smart inland shipping, the KOMBI-P project on sustainable and combined shipping in the Swedish archipelago, and the HISS project on sustainable development of port infrastructures in archipelagic areas.
The Maritime Management master’s programme is linked to Chalmers’ Areas of Advance in Transport and Ocean, which means your studies are supported by strong research networks and resources. Four divisions at the department contribute to the programme:
Technical and maritime management
Includes research and teaching in logistics, intermodal transport, cargo management, infrastructure development, mechanical engineering, digitalisation and AI.
Nautical studies
Covers navigation, safety, user-centred system design for regulatory support and safe operations, as well as socio-technical systems and operator training.
Marine technology
Works with the development of propellers, hull seaworthiness, structural design of marine structures and AI.
Transport, energy and environment
Addresses the environmental impacts of shipping, with interdisciplinary research on future marine fuels, energy efficiency and emissions to support decision-making for maritime stakeholders.
Find out more about research in Mechanics and maritime sciences
Requirements
How to apply - From application to admission
This is a step-by-step guide on how to apply for a Master's programme at Chalmers University of Technology.
