Master in Maritime Transport Management
Antwerp, Belgium
MSc
DURATION
1 year
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
31 May 2026*
EARLIEST START DATE
07 Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* for EU/EEA students, the deadline is 31st of August
* International trips included
Key Summary
The maritime industry is under increasing pressure to provide sustainable solutions to global challenges such as globalization, digitalization, urbanization and climate change. This specialized program will give you a thorough insight into the maritime eco system. It will equip you with strategic knowledge, analytical tools and managerial competence that are crucial in this fast-growing industry in a globalized world. You will also be plugged into the industry network to help pursue a successful career in the maritime sector.
The Maritime sector is a large, complex operation that continues to grow and play a vital role in the flow of goods across the globe. Ensuring this flow is run efficiently requires specific expertise within Supply Chains, Economics, Finance, Business, Digitalization and Logistics. All these elements will be studied in-depth during this master’s programme and ensure you have a complete picture of the challenges and opportunities within the sector. In addition, it will equip you with skills to become a strategic manager.
This interactive program provides you with sound academic management and research fundamentals combined with an in-depth ‘real-world’ knowledge of the maritime transport industry. This practical approach is a bridge between academic study and the reality of working life in the industry, which means you are fully prepared to understand the complex nature of a career in the Maritime sector. You will see a 360-degree view of the industry through simulations, company visits, guest lectures, and case studies.
Our purpose is to educate responsible, respectful and reflective future managers and researchers with an open and global mind, ready to enter maritime businesses and organizations.
The Port of Antwerp is home to more than 200 forwarding companies, a vital link in global logistics, handling a vast range of cargo and goods. Digitalization and smart technologies are employed to future-proof the Port and streamline logistics chain efficiencies. Antwerp could not be a better place to study Maritime Transport Management. In this program, you will be closely linked to the Port and the career and networking opportunities that that entails.
Fundamentals of the Maritime Industry
After this course, you have knowledge of basic concepts in maritime shipping, port and hinterland markets. You will have a view on the diversity in equipment, market players and market organization and have understanding of how to apply the basic concepts in follow-up courses and real life. On the agenda: Economics fundamentals, Ship(ping) fundamentals, Seaport fundamentals, Hinterland transport fundamentals and an excursion to the Port of Antwerp: terminal, shipyard, hinterland connections.
Introduction to Global Supply Chain Management
A good knowledge of transport economics and of companies concerning Transport, Logistics & Supply Chains, is crucial in the program and is the main learning goal of this course. We equip you with the tools and principles that enable you to critically asses companies’ supply chain solutions and management strategies. You will better understand the different transport modes and types, transport and logistical economics (internal and external costs), profit and loss principles in transport, transport policies (European and worldwide) and the economics and trends of the Maritime and Air supply chains. Students gain knowledge on supply chain principles and economics, globalization in transport, environmental impacts and trends in supply chains, international eCommerce supply chains, digitization, Machine Learning, Robotics and Driverless Vehicles, etc.
Technology, Digital Innovation and Sustainability
Students will be able to provide an overview of contemporary technological and innovation trends with links to sustainability, explain what is and which types of innovation are developed in the maritime supply chain and logistics and how they can be used. You will learn what are potential innovation processes steps, objectives and effectiveness of new technologies and innovation used in ports, intra- and inter-port communication and information exchange, logistics planning, airplane or technology providers. Students gain knowledge on how innovation networks contribute to innovation development and it offers academic insights with regard to innovation systems and innovation objectives. On the agenda: Introduction to Innovation in Transport and innovation typology; ICT innovation and cost-effectiveness in logistics (theory lessons); Innovation & actor strategies; Innovation objectives (Profit, Planet & People); Digitalization in Airports and Ports; a Design thinking session and Challenges and solutions in introducing AI in port operations.
Maritime Transport Market Analysis
Shipowners and operators trade in four different markets: the newbuilding market, the freight market, the sales and purchase market and the demolition market. This course aims to provide students with a thorough understanding on the functioning of the four shipping markets from a practical point of view. The first part of the course provides an overview of the dynamic business environment in which maritime transport companies operate with a specific focus on the geo-economic situation, industry developments, and policy and business practices in terms of sustainability, digital transformation and resilience. The second part aims at providing a thorough data-driven overview of developments in the freight markets (mainly the dry bulk, tanker and container markets) and shipbuilding and shipbreaking markets. We present the different indicators (freight rate indexes, charter indexes, etc.) that can be deployed to assess the past and current state of the markets, and modelling tools and instruments that can be used to engage in meaningful shipping market analysis (forecasting models, system dynamics modelling, scenario analysis, etc.). The last part of the course zooms in on corporate strategy development and operational aspects in one the freight markets, i.e. the container shipping market.
Maritime Chain Cost Analysis
After this course, you have knowledge on the modeling of the maritime supply chain and have acquired analytic skills to assess improvements and changes in different phases of the maritime supply chain. You get a more in-depth insight in current challenges in the maritime supply chain (greening, increase in capacity, etc.). Topics which are addressed: Intro maritime supply chain modeling & model usage; Impact of alternative fuels on cost for vessel owners and chain; Port investments and Impact of port enlargement project for the port authority & chain; Theory on port investments on improving intermodel transport and Impact of improving intermodel transport for the transport chain. We work with different case studies and assignments.
Maritime Supply Chains and Hinterland
Maritime transport is an essential link in many global supply chains. At any given moment within a given chain, there are trade-offs to be made with other links, including in relation to the choice of port and transshipment as well as hinterland services. This course provides an in-depth view into the management of maritime supply chains. It also examines how such supply chains can be affected by exogenous trends and events, such as structural changes in international trade, evolutions in the global fleet, and national and supranational maritime policy-making. Moreover, the different transport modes are discussed.
Port Economics and Business
During this course we discuss different modules and subtopics, such as the historical functions of ports and port typology and actions, global trends (energy transition, digitalization, risk and resilience), governance, networks (case studies and public-private partnerships), hinterland (markets, strategies and terminal development), pricing (port pricing and terminal investment), finance (public funding of ports, project settings, ecosystems, automation), innovation (port innovation trends and digitalization), port policy and regulation (EU ports policy), sustainability (sustainable port development, cruise ports and their societal integration), value creation (port performance management and industrial clusters), planning (strategic planning, business continuity planning and forecasting) and port work (dock labor organization and port terminal HRM).
Maritime Economics and Business
This course focuses on issues that shape the maritime transport market. How is this market organized in practice? What role do the authorities play and how do they impact on the behavior of shipping companies? How are price and cargo affected? What kind of business strategies do shipowners pursue? How are market forecasts made? Which kind of vessel is best suited for deployment on specific routes and/or loops, or for specific cargo types? These and other crucial issues are analyzed by means of economic tools.
Maritime Business Game
During this course you apply knowledge on ship design, production, operations and marine engineering in a challenging and realistic environment. You will better understand the relations between the main financial reporting elements (cash flow, balance, profit and loss statement) and be able to create and judge both investment proposals and year reports. You will need to function as a team member in a stressful environment. The course starts with an introduction and Trial run of the game. You will analyze the game markets and develop a business plan using this data. Afterward we play the game/execute your business plan for the first year. After the game you create a year report with a BoD part, CII and EEXI and financial statements.
Note: This curriculum is subject to change.
Scholarships
For select students, a scholarship is awarded in the form of a tuition fee reduction.
The scholarship is awarded in the form of a tuition fee reduction, covering 25 to 50% of the tuition expenses depending on your profile. The scholarship amount will be deducted from the total tuition fee prior to the commencement of the academic year.
Although we aim to distribute scholarships fairly across different Full-Time Master's programs, in some cases, we may give priority to applicants from certain programs.
Through the EQUIS accreditation of the Faculty of Business and Economics of the University of Antwerp, AMS has joined a select group (1%) of business schools worldwide with three international accreditations (AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS), or a so-called “Triple Crown”.
AMS is also listed in the Financial Times Rankings. AMS takes into account the principles of responsible education.
Our master’s programs are highly ranked in Eduniversal Rankings en QS WorldUniversity Rankings.
The Master of Science in Maritime Transport Management is ranked number 12 in the Eduniversal worldwide rankings, number 1 in Belgium and number 2 in Benelux.