Maritime Business

Maritime business is the study of one of the world's most important and often overlooked industries, the global shipping and maritime sector that carries the vast majority of international trade by volume. It combines business and management principles with specialist knowledge of the maritime industry, examining shipping operations, port management, maritime law, logistics, supply chain management, and the regulatory environment that governs the movement of goods and people at sea. The sector is genuinely international in character, and working in it typically means engaging with partners, clients, and regulations across multiple countries and jurisdictions.

At Southampton Solent University, this three-year degree includes a foundation year, providing a supported entry into higher education study before you progress to the main degree programme. The degree also includes a sandwich year in industry and work placement opportunities, meaning that your time at university combines academic learning with sustained professional engagement, giving you direct insight into how maritime businesses operate and the skills they need from graduates. You will develop knowledge of the business and commercial dimensions of the maritime sector alongside an understanding of the regulatory, operational, and logistical frameworks that shape it.

Southampton's location as a major port city and one of the UK's leading maritime hubs gives the programme a natural connection to the industry it prepares you to enter.

Maritime business graduates move into roles in shipping companies, port authorities, freight forwarding firms, maritime law practices, marine insurance, and logistics and supply chain organisations. The international character of the sector means that graduates often work across borders, dealing with counterparts from multiple countries and navigating complex regulatory environments. Many graduates go on to specialist roles in chartering, ship broking, maritime trade finance, or port operations management.

The combination of business acumen and sector-specific knowledge that this degree develops is directly sought by employers in one of the world's most enduring and economically significant industries.