Highlights • Technological developments and environmental concerns require up-to-date approaches in maritime educational programs. • Autonomous ships, digitalization and environment protection dictate new approaches to existing courses. • Distance learning requirements impose new approaches and methodologies in maritime education. • The multi-user nature of the oceans requires multifaceted approaches that can be achieved in postgraduate maritime management programs. • Transboundary maritime and coastal management methods require international postgraduate programs.

Abstract This study aims to discuss the need for a new postgraduate program intending to fill the gap between the curriculum of the current postgraduate programs and the contemporary requirements of the maritime sector regarding management, transport operations and logistics. It is the duty of the schools to train and educate the workforce of the future; therefore, the contents of the courses should constantly be reviewed and tackled with the new developments in science and society. New programs with new courses or contents to meet the educational demands of the sector and to develop skills and competencies to raise awareness on emerging maritime issues should be developed with the ultimate goal of promoting sustainable management of the maritime sector. To determine the courses of these programs and their contents, a survey that was prepared in the frame of the MINE-EMI Project* was used. The survey which was distributed to the stakeholders in 5 different countries was responded to by 224 stakeholders in the maritime sector. In addition, online and face-to-face interviews were made with them. The results showed that the contents of the present postgraduate programs should be modified to cover the newly emerging issues such as environment protection, technology-related issues, management of international waters, continuous professional development and inclusion of generation Z in the maritime industry. To make the maritime sector keep pace with the latest developments and to graduate students with up-to-date knowledge MET (Maritime Education and Training) institutions should be proactive and continuously adjust their programs to the needs of the sector in the future and prepare their students to meet the requirements of the future.