Makassar Merchant Marine Polytechnic was established base on the Minister of Communication Decree number: KM.81 year 1999, recently renewed with the Decree of Communication Minister number: KM. 70 year 2002 stands on working arrangement of the institution.

Based on that mentioned decree, institutional status of Makassar Merchant Marine Polytechnic administratively controlled by the Education and Training Agency of Communication, operationally controlled by the Maritime Education and Training Center, and academically controlled by the Directorate General of High Education (Ministry of Education).