Sharjah: Sharjah Maritime Academy (SMA) has announced the successful achievement of new international accreditations across its undergraduate degree programmes, marking a significant milestone that reinforces its position as a leading maritime education and training institution in the UAE and the wider region.

According to Emirates News Agency, the newly obtained accreditations cover three academic programmes. The Bachelors in Maritime Transport and the Bachelors in Marine Engineering Technology have both been accredited by the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST) in the United Kingdom. Additionally, the Bachelors in Maritime Logistics and Supply Chain Management has received accreditation from the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), also based in the United Kingdom.

Both IMarEST and CILT are globally recognised professional bodies. IMarEST connects over 22,000 members across more than 120 countries and plays a key role in advancing professional standards in marine engineering and marine science. CILT is a leading international organisation focused on logistics, transport, and supply chain management, committed to enhancing professional practice through internationally recognised qualifications and expertise.

This achievement reflects the Academy's dedication to delivering academic programmes aligned with labor market needs and accredited to the highest international standards across maritime transport, engineering, and logistics. Dr. Hashim Al Zaabi, Chancellor of Sharjah Maritime Academy, stated that this milestone marks a significant step in positioning the Academy as a regional center of excellence in maritime education. By aligning programmes with international standards, graduates are equipped to contribute effectively to the growth of the maritime and blue economy sectors in the UAE and globally.

At the national level, SMA operates under the accreditation of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research through the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA). The Academy recently renewed its institutional licence for four years, reaffirming its full compliance with UAE higher education standards, ensuring all undergraduate programmes remain fully accredited at the national level.

In parallel, SMA continues to expand its role as a regional maritime training hub through its recognised status as an approved maritime training center. The Academy delivers internationally compliant, competency-based training programmes aligned with global maritime standards, including recognition as an approved training center by the Liberian International Ship and Corporate Registry (LISCR) and the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP). This status provides specialised certification and training for seafarers and maritime professionals.

This milestone ensures that SMA graduates hold qualifications that are both nationally accredited and internationally recognised, strengthening their pathways toward professional certification and global employability. It reinforces the Academy's contribution to the development of the maritime and blue economy sectors in alignment with the global agenda led by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).