The National Maritime Academy (NMA) was established through a strategic partnership between Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Saudi Aramco) and the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC) , under a memorandum of understanding signed between both parties and relevant partners regarding the establishment and operation of the National Maritime Academy.

 NMA signed a training service provider contract with BAE Systems to commence maritime training and accreditation in the maritime operations and port operations sectors at the academy's location in Jubail.

The academy provides the highest level of professional training services in the maritime sector to develop the workforce of young people in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in order to meet the high demand for maritime industry workers in the Kingdom.