- For a complete list of U.S. Maritime Centers of Excellence and a history of how they were created, click HERE.
There’s never been a better time to think about a career in the offshore maritime industry, or to upgrade your maritime skills and certifications! And when you graduate, check out Guice Offshore and GO Marine Services for exciting career opportunities. We recruit all skill and experience levels, and even provide training and transportation for the right candidates if need be!
During September 2026, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) designated 16 maritime training institutions as 2026 Centers of Excellence (CoE) to bolster workforce training nationwide. This brings MARAD’s CoE network to 48 institutions across 87 training facilities in 28 states and territories that provide competitive workforce and training programs for future mariners.
These new designations include:
- University of Michigan Department of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering in Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Northwest Maritime Center in Port Townsend, WA
- Chapman School of Seamanship in Stuart, FL
- Bunker Hill Community College in Boston, MA
- Webb Institute in Glen Cove, NY
CoEs are laser-focused on training the next generation of mariners for vital careers at sea and on shore. The expansion brings the total number of mariners, apprentices, and students trained by MARAD CoEs each year to 58,000.
“The strength of America’s economy is tied directly to the resilience of our domestic fleet and the technical skill of our mariners,” said Maritime Administrator Stephen M. Carmel. “The institutions we honor today are the backbone of American maritime power. They are delivering top-tier mariner credentials, training nuclear shipbuilders, and ensuring our commercial waterways stay open in any crisis.”
See the full list of new CoEs here.
How Can Your School Become a Maritime Center of Excellence?
The next opportunity to apply for CoE designation will be in the fall 2026. A CoE designation is awarded for a five-year term. Learn more about the CoE program here.
