About us

With a history stretching back to 1937, when it was founded by the Chamber of Shipping and its predecessors, the MNTB is the authoritative centre of expertise and information on careers, qualifications, education and training, and skill needs and issues in the industry.

The MNTB works closely with shipping and ship management companies, nautical educational establishments and organisations, seafarer trade unions, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and all industry organisations with an interest in seafarer education and training.

The MNTB provides the link to government departments and bodies involved with the shipping industry as well as those involved with the UK skills agenda, education and training developments.  This includes the Department for Transport (DfT), the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (DBIS), the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) and UK education regulatory authorities and bodies.  The MNTB works closely with the Maritime Skills Alliance to achieve joint aims with partner organisations in the maritime sector.

The MNTB carries out a wide range of careers promotion activities, including having recently managed the project with Scottish Television for a six part TV Series called The Merchant Navy, which was screened in autumn 2008. The MNTB is also a key partner in the Sea Vision campaign.

The MNTB is a voluntary body and a part of the Chamber of Shipping, the trade association for the UK shipping industry. The MNTB is fully funded by the Chamber of Shipping. The work of the MNTB is overseen by a board made up of representatives of shipping companies, seafarer unions, maritime educational establishments and interests, and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). The Department for Transport and the Maritime Skills Alliance are also represented on the Board.

The aims of the Board are to:

1. keep under review the current and future skill requirements of the shipping industry and assist companies to meet identified needs that contribute to long term competitiveness, develop the potential of individuals and help secure the UK’s maritime skills base;
2. create a flexible structure of qualifications, learning pathways and education and training arrangements based on national occupational standards which ensure compliance with statutory standards and achievement of degree, HNC/D and/or vocational qualifications;
3. promote British Shipping and careers in the Merchant Navy as an industry of the future, well managed, technologically advanced and committed to respecting the environment.