Png Maritime College | Course Fees | Courses Offered
General Information
Overview of PNG Maritime College
PNG Maritime College (PNG MC) is the primary maritime higher‑education and training institution in Papua New Guinea, located in Madang Province. Established by act of Parliament in 1975, PNG Maritime College serves as the national centre for training seafarers — both deck and engineering — to meet the demands of PNG’s coastal and foreign‑going shipping industry. The college’s mandate encompasses imparting theoretical education, practical sea‑going skills, and compliance with international maritime safety standards (including STCW Convention).
Students come from across PNG and other Pacific Island nations, reflecting the region’s maritime heritage and demand for qualified maritime personnel. PNG MC aims to produce competent seafarers, officers, and maritime‑industry staff capable of serving on domestic and international vessels and contributing to national and regional maritime sectors. The college’s training — combining classroom, simulation, and practical onboard components — seeks to align with global standards, ensuring that graduates are “sea‑ready” and internationally employable.
Contact Information of PNG Maritime College
Address: PNG Maritime College, P.O. Box 1040, Madang 511, Madang Province, Papua New Guinea
Telephone: +675 422 2615
Fax: +675 422 3113
General administration / Registrar contact: PNG Maritime College, Madang, PNG
School Facts of PNG Maritime College
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Founding Year | 1975 (established by act of Parliament) |
| Type | Government / State maritime college / training institution |
| Location | Madang, Madang Province, Papua New Guinea |
| Primary Purpose | Maritime education — deck and engineering cadet training, ratings, seafarer certification |
| Key Focus | Training of seafarers, compliance with STCW standards, preparation for domestic and international shipping careers |
PNG Maritime College Rankings
| Ranking Source / Estimate | National / Country Rank | Global / World Rank / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| External educational‑institution aggregator listing | Country rank ~ 43 (within PNG training/HEIs) | Global index rank ~ 22,109 (as per aggregator estimate) |
These ranking estimates stem from external aggregators rather than formal global university ranking systems; due to PNG MC’s specialized maritime mission and vocational focus, it is not commonly featured in conventional global university rankings.
PNG Maritime College Academics
PNG Maritime College Faculties / Departments
- Deck Officer Cadet Department (Navigation, Seamanship, Bridge Operations)
- Engineering Officer Cadet Department (Marine Engineering, Engine Room Operations)
- General Purpose Rating / GP Rating & Ratings Department (for ratings and seafarer certification)
- Maritime Safety and Standards Department (STCW, Safety Training, Compliance)
- Continuing Education & Certification Department (for certifications and renewals, courses for practicing seafarers)
PNG Maritime College Courses and Programs / Majors
- Deck Cadet Course (Navigation / Deck Officer program)
- Engineering Cadet Course (Marine Engineering / Engineering Officer program)
- General Purpose (GP) Rating Course for ratings / seafarer certification
- Sea‑going Personnel Training including safety, survival, ship operation as per international maritime standards
- Certification and competency courses for continuing seafarers (refresher training, safety, updates)
- Preparatory and basic maritime training for entry-level seafarers / prospective cadets
Online Learning at PNG Maritime College
PNG Maritime College primarily emphasizes in‑person training, including classroom instruction, simulation, and practical sea‑going training. Given the practical and hands‑on nature of maritime education (navigation drills, engine room training, shipboard competencies), there is no publicly documented fully online degree or certification track. Safety, regulation compliance, and sea‑time requirements necessitate in‑person instruction and practical training components.
Average Test Scores
| Test / Indicator | Typical / Reported Score / Note |
|---|---|
| International standardized tests (SAT / ACT / GRE) | Not applicable — PNG Maritime College admission depends on local certificates or maritime‑specific criteria rather than international standardized tests |
Because PNG MC follows national and maritime‑industry standards rather than U.S.-style academic testing, there are no publicly available aggregate SAT/ACT/GRE statistics for applicants or admitted students.
Retention and Graduation Rates
Publicly accessible sources do not provide reliable, comprehensive data on retention or graduation rates at PNG Maritime College across its courses. As a specialized maritime training institution with cadet, rating, and continuing‑education streams, retention and completion likely vary substantially depending on course type, seafarer licence requirements, sea‑time compliance, and student commitment. No verified institutional report was found summarizing these metrics for general publication.
PNG Maritime College Admissions
GPA Range and SAT / ACT Range
Admission to PNG Maritime College does not require SAT, ACT, or GPA ranges in the sense of U.S.-style admissions. Candidates are typically assessed based on local academic or secondary‑school credentials, physical fitness, age eligibility, suitability for sea‑going work, and compliance with maritime regulatory prerequisites set by relevant Papua New Guinea authorities (including safety, health, and sea‑worthiness standards). For cadet and rating courses, applicants must meet entry criteria related to academic background and fitness rather than international standardized tests.
PNG Maritime College Acceptance Rate
| Admission Route / Note | Acceptance Rate / Data |
|---|---|
| General cadet / rating admissions | Not publicly disclosed; selection depends on capacity, seat availability, applicant credentials, and regulatory compliance |
PNG Maritime College does not publish an official acceptance rate; admissions are determined case‑by‑case based on demand, candidate eligibility, and capacity for training.
PNG Maritime College Application Requirements
Applicants seeking admission to PNG Maritime College must submit their secondary‑school completion certificates or equivalent credentials, valid identification and personal information (date of birth, contact info, next‑of‑kin details). For sea‑going courses, applicants must meet health and medical standards required by maritime safety authorities and regulatory frameworks, including physical fitness assessments. Prospective cadets or ratings may need to complete additional administrative forms (such as application for sea‑time training), and for returning students or continuing‑education candidates, documentation of prior sea‑going or certification history (Certificates of Competency, prior training, SOLAS/ STCW compliance certificates) may be required. The application process aims to ensure that admitted candidates are capable, qualified, and capable of fulfilling seafaring duties responsibly and safely.
Application Process
- Submit required academic credentials (secondary‑school certificate or equivalent), identification and personal data including next of kin
- Undergo medical and physical fitness examination as per maritime safety regulations
- For cadet/rating courses: complete application form for desired course (Deck, Engineering, GP Rating, etc.)
- Await evaluation by admissions office; if accepted, complete registration and pay required tuition/fees or deposit
- Attend orientation and begin classroom, simulation, and practical sea‑going training according to scheduled intake
PNG Maritime College Application Deadlines / Important Dates
| Intake / Programme | Notes / Timing |
|---|---|
| Cadet and Rating Course Intakes | Periodic — PNG Maritime College announces new intakes depending on slot availability and demand; recent 2025 intake was announced for Engineering Cadet and GP Rating courses (Deck Cadet intake for 2025 was reportedly full) |
| Continuing‑Education / Certification Courses | Rolling admissions depending on seafarer demand, regulatory renewal schedules, and course offerings |
Essay Prompt
There is no publicly documented universal essay prompt for admissions at PNG Maritime College. Admission and selection rely on academic credentials, fitness standards, maritime eligibility, and regulatory compliance rather than a standardized essay-based application.
PNG Maritime College Scholarships
Some external sources suggest that PNG Maritime College may offer partial scholarship or fee‑assistance schemes under certain conditions, with tuition fee support or discounted rates for qualified applicants. However, publicly available data on scholarship amounts, eligibility criteria, or selection conditions are limited or unspecified; thus such support cannot be guaranteed as standard.
Tuition Fee (Costs) at PNG Maritime College
| Programme Type / Cost Notes | Approximate / Variability |
|---|---|
| Cadet / Rating Courses (full-time maritime training) | External listing indicates tuition fee range approximately 900–1000 USD (may vary by course and intake) |
| Certification / Continuing Education / Renewal Courses | 900 – 1000 $ |
Because tuition and fees vary depending on the course, intake, and whether additional certification or sea‑time components are involved, prospective students are advised to contact the college directly for current fee schedules.
Student Profile and Demographics
Student Demographics
PNG Maritime College draws students primarily from Papua New Guinea and other Pacific Island nations. Students are often young adults seeking maritime careers — either as deck cadets, engineering cadets, or general purpose seafarers. Many come from coastal communities or islands, reflecting the maritime culture of the region. Due to the specialized nature of maritime training and sea‑going conditions, applicants are screened for physical fitness, sea‑readiness, and willingness to work in marine environments. Gender distribution tends to favor male cadets given historical maritime industry patterns, though explicit data on gender balance, age distribution, or ethnic composition across students is not publicly published.
Low‑Income Students / Students with Disabilities
There is no publicly available data specifying how many PNG Maritime College students come from low‑income backgrounds or have disabilities. The institution serves many from regional or island communities, which may indicate participation from lower‑income or rural backgrounds, but there is no formal published breakdown. Given the physical and safety demands of sea‑going careers, disability representation and institutional support services are not prominently documented; accommodations for disabilities may be limited due to regulations and safety requirements.
Student Body
| Category | Approximate / Reported Note |
|---|---|
| Total Students / Cadets & Ratings | Not publicly disclosed — enrollment varies by intake cycles, cadet/rating courses, and demand |
| International / Regional Students (Pacific Islands) | PNG Maritime College reportedly accepts students from across the Pacific region, indicating a multinational student presence in cadet and rating programs |
University Diversity
PNG Maritime College’s student body embodies regional maritime diversity: cadets and trainees come from various coastal provinces of PNG and from other Pacific Island nations, reflecting shared maritime heritage across the Pacific. This diversity extends beyond geography to include cultural and linguistic variety, as many Pacific Island seafarers enroll to gain internationally recognized maritime qualifications. The multicultural student environment fosters cross‑cultural exchange and camaraderie grounded in shared seafaring aspirations. The college’s mandate to deliver maritime training under international standards attracts a geographically broad student population, contributing to a melting pot of maritime cultures. Despite absence of formal demographic statistics, anecdotal and institutional references suggest that PNG MC supports a wide array of students from varied socio‑economic and regional backgrounds — reinforcing its role as a key regional maritime education hub.
Average Earnings
There is no publicly published, systematic data on average earnings of graduates from PNG Maritime College. However, given the global demand for qualified seafarers, especially in the Pacific and wider international shipping industry, graduates (both deck and engineering officers, as well as ratings) may have access to employment opportunities on commercial vessels, offshore platforms, or maritime services. Earnings depend heavily on the type of certificate (cadet vs officer vs rating), experience, vessel type, and route (coastal vs international). For PNG and Pacific seafarers, maritime careers often represent one of the few paths toward stable, often expatriate-level income, offering substantial remuneration relative to many local professions. That said, wage variation is wide, and income depends on certifications, rank, licensing status, sea‑time, and employer. Without concrete outcome data, any earning estimate remains speculative but the maritime training provided by PNG MC positions graduates to access globally recognized maritime jobs.
PNG Maritime College Faculty and Staff
Teachers and Staff
PNG Maritime College employs a team of maritime instructors, lecturers, and administrative staff to deliver its cadet, rating, and continuing‑education courses. According to archival descriptions, the institution had around 17 full-time lecturers responsible for academic instruction, safety, and navigational/engineering training. The staff includes experienced maritime professionals, sea‑going officers, and technical trainers qualified to instruct deck, navigation, engineering, and safety courses. Administrative personnel — including registrar, student services, and records officers — manage admissions, certification, sea‑time tracking, and compliance with national and international maritime regulatory standards.
Faculty Profiles
Faculty at PNG Maritime College combine academic knowledge with real-world maritime experience. Instructors for navigation, deck operations, and engineering are often former or active mariners, bringing practical sea‑faring experience to the training environment. Their expertise ensures that cadets are trained not only in theory but also in practical, safety‑compliant maritime operations. The college’s adherence to international maritime standards — including STCW compliance — reflects faculty commitment to globally accepted competencies. Faculty involvement in continuing education and certification renewal supports both new and experienced seafarers, strengthening the college’s reputation as a regional maritime institution capable of producing competent officers and ratings for domestic and international shipping industries.
PNG Maritime College Campus and Student Life
Campus Life / Housing
PNG Maritime College is located in Madang, a coastal town in Madang Province, PNG. Given its function as a maritime training institution, the college provides facilities for instruction, simulation, and administrative support. Accommodation is reportedly available for students, including cadets and trainees, which is common for maritime institutions especially for those traveling from distant provinces or other islands. Meals and boarding may be arranged for cadets during training periods, particularly given the demands of maritime courses and sea‑time obligations. Student life involves intensive maritime education, practical training, sea‑going preparation, and for many, living in dormitory‑style accommodation provided or organized by the college, reflecting a close‑knit community of trainees preparing for seafaring careers.
Transportation
Madang is accessible via domestic transport links in Papua New Guinea. Students traveling from provinces or islands likely reach Madang by boat or small aircraft, depending on origin. Once at the college, cadets depend on campus‑provided accommodations or local transport for daily commuting. For sea‑going cadets, sea‑time and vessel boarding may form part of training and future employment, meaning that mobility often extends beyond campus — students may travel by sea for practical sea‑going training or begin careers aboard ships. On‑campus mobility is generally managed internally, especially for trainees residing in dormitories or school‑provided housing, which ensures coordination for classes, training sessions, and sea‑time assignments.