GMU has always attached much importance to the process of internationalization, has promoted exchange and cooperation with around 50 universities or education groups in nearly 20 countries or regions and has signed cooperation agreements or memos with some of the above institutions in terms of research,teaching and exchange in teachers and students. GMU is a member of GlobalMet (Global Maritime Education and Training Association), AMETIAP (Asia Pacific Association of Maritime Schools), and HKSOA (Hong Kong Shipowners Association). The university has established close exchanges and cooperation with dozens of well-known foreign universities such as University of Plymouth, University of Technology Sydney, University of Padua, Fairfield University, World Maritime University in Sweden and so on. More than 10 high-end research centers have been set up by various forms of cooperation such as Sino-British Joint Maritime Research Center, Pan-Pearl River Delta International Maritime Innovation Research Institute, China-ASEAN Think Tank Network Maritime Cooperation Base, Guangzhou International Maritime Economy Research Center and so on. GMU has cooperated with the University of Technology Sydney, Curtin University in Sydney, Dresden International University in Germany and some other universities to carry out undergraduate double degree or postgraduate joint training programs.
In 2018, the Guangdong Provincial Party Committee and the Guangzhou Municipal Party Committee decided to build Guangzhou Jiaotong University on the basis of Guangzhou Maritime University. In April 2021, the construction project of Guangzhou Jiaotong University was officially approved by the Guangzhou Development and Reform Commission. The 14th Five-Year Plan announced by the Guangzhou Municipal Government in May 2021 clearly stated to accelerate the construction of Guangzhou Jiaotong University to build a high-level and distinctive application-oriented university. In May 2021, GMU was approved as a master's degree granting project construction unit in Guangdong Province.
