Merchant Marine College

In 1909, a seed was planted. This seed, the Shipping Section of Shanghai Industrial College, would blossom into the Shanghai Maritime University, home to this Merchant Marine College. The university, officially established in 1959 by the Ministry of Communications, stands as a testament to China’s rich maritime history, which, fascinatingly, began right here in Shanghai. Merchant Marine College isn’t just a building; it’s a link in a chain stretching back to the late Qing Dynasty. The original Wosong Merchant Marine School, founded in 1912, transformed into Wosong Merchant Marine College in 1928, ultimately becoming part of the present-day Shanghai Maritime University. The campus we see today, particularly the Lingang new campus, opened its doors in 2008, marking another chapter in this institution’s impressive journey. Merchant Marine College, along with other colleges like the College of Transport and Communications and the College of Logistics Engineering, forms a crucial part of the university. Today, Shanghai Maritime University offers a vast range of programs, from doctoral programs to associate degrees, specializing in maritime technology, economics, and management. It’s a hub for future maritime professionals, a “cradle of international shipping specialists,” echoing the very first shipping courses offered over a century ago. So, as you stand before Merchant Marine College, remember, you’re not just looking at a building. You’re witnessing a piece of maritime history, a legacy of innovation and education that continues to shape the global shipping industry.