IAMU was founded by seven universities representing the five continents of the world (Representative Universities) in November, 1999, with a shared recognition of significance of maritime education and training in the rapid globalization of the international shipping arena. Since then, IAMU has significantly expanded its membership, and now boasts 65 universities/academies/faculties of the world’s maritime education and training institutions, and The Nippon Foundation as its members, totaling 66 altogether.

Representative Universities at the time of foundation in 1999:

• Arab Academy for Science and Technology and Maritime Transport (Africa)
• Australian Maritime College (Oceania)
• Cardiff University (Western Europe)
• Istanbul Technical University, Maritime Faculty (Mediterranean, Black Sea, ex Central and Eastern Europe)
• Kobe University of Mercantile Marine (Asia)
• Maine Maritime Academy (Americas including the Caribbean’s)
• World Maritime University (General representation)

The International Association of Maritime Universities (IAMU: ai-ei-em-ju:) is the global network of leading maritime universities providing Maritime Education and Training (MET) of seafarers for the global shipping industry. All members of IAMU share the understanding:

• that globalization has been progressing rapidly in the international shipping arena;
• that Safety, Security and Environmental Protection are crucial issues for the maritime sector; and
• that passing on maritime skills and knowledge to the following generations needs to be achieved on a global scale.

All members of IAMU also recognize the significance of maritime education and training and note that:

• the shipping industry is a service industry, in which human resources are the critical element;
• it is only feasible to secure and to preserve highly qualified human resources in the maritime industries through effective education and training; and
• effective education and training in the maritime sector derives from scientific and academic rigor and development of a clear link between practical skills, management techniques and a focus on quality.

Based on this shared understanding, it has been mutually agreed:

• that members shall cooperate with each other in a range of scientific and academic studies, developments, and practical applications associated with Maritime Education and Training;
• that members shall endeavor to achieve measurable and worthwhile outcomes for Maritime Education and Training through IAMU activities;
• that members shall publicize the results of their activities as extensively as possible both within and outside IAMU, and shall endeavor to accumulate scientific results for the benefit of the international maritime community; and
• that the members shall thereby contribute to the enhancement of Maritime Safety, Security and Environmental Protection.

The Association was created in 1999 by a group of maritime universities from across the world as a non-profit organization.

IAMU Structure

IAMU’s Basic Agreement dictates all of IAMU’s activities and the administrative structure. IAMU structure consists of an Annual General Assembly, an International Executive Board, Standing Committees, and the Secretariat.

Yohei SASAKAWA
Chairman of The Nippon Foundation

Click to see the Profile of Yohei Sasakawa

International Executive Board Members (FY2019)

The following Standing Committees are established in the International
Executive Board to fulfill its responsibilities.