Pakistan Marine Academy was established in erstwhile East Pakistan in 1962. It was located on the east bank of the river KarnaphulI, facing the Bay of Bengal. Officers and Staff from Pakistan Navy and renowned merchant mariners took hold of the administration and training responsibilities of the institution. Originally, the Academy provided pre-sea training to Cadets of Nautical and Engineering Branches. Consequently, the first batch of 41 Cadets successfully graduated from the Academy in 1964.
The Academy continued to produce professional Seafarers till 1971, when the Academy was shifted to Karachi. The Academy was established temporarily in two blocks of Haji Camp. Thereafter, Pakistan Marine Academy was shifted to its present purpose-built infrastructure in 1978.
Adm. Ahsan and Com. R.V. Khan at the 6th Passing out Parade in Chittagong 1969.
Pakistan Marine Academy was established in erstwhile East Pakistan in 1962. It was located on the east bank of the river KarnaphulI, facing the Bay of Bengal. Officers and Staff from Pakistan Navy and renowned merchant mariners took hold of the administration and training responsibilities of the institution. Originally, the Academy provided pre-sea training to Cadets of Nautical and Engineering Branches. Consequently, the first batch of 41 Cadets successfully graduated from the Academy in 1964.
Begum Liaquat Ali Khan inspecting the Passing-out-Parade at Haji Camp in 1975
The Academy continued to produce professional Seafarers till 1971, when the Academy was shifted to Karachi. The Academy was established temporarily in two blocks of Haji Camp. Thereafter, Pakistan Marine Academy was shifted to its present purpose-built infrastructure in 1978.
Mr. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, then, Honourable Prime Minister of Pakistan, laid down the foundation stone of present Campus on 4th August 1976. The Campus was completed in 1978. This campus occupies an area of 136 acres with all the desired facilities. Commodore S.M. Anwar was the first Commandant of this newly built Campus. In 1979 Seamen Training Centre (STC) was also shifted inside the Academy.
In 1986, Pakistan Marine Academy got affiliated with Karachi University for the award of B.Sc.(Pass) in Maritime Studies to its Marine Engineering and Nautical(Deck) Cadets. In 1997, Seamen Training Centre(STC) was merged with PMA and renamed as Seamen Training Wing(STW).
In 2002, examination system at PMA was converted from percentage(%) system to GPA system, as per international standards. Today, Pakistan Marine Academy houses around 300 undergraduates Cadets and produces ~150 graduates each year. The Seamen Training Wing houses around 70 General Purpose trainees and produces over 140 General Purpose Crew each year. PMA also conducts post sea IMO Model/Short Courses for Seafarers.
In 2012, PMA got affiliated with NED University of Engineering & Technology, Karachi, for the award of Associate Degree in Ship Management and Marine Engineering to its Nautical and Marine Engineering Cadets on successful completion of two years pre-sea training.