Malaysia is endowed with a large maritime realm covering sea areas of over 600,000 square kilometres and continental shelf areas of about 476,761 square kilometres. These areas are endowed with a bounty of marine resources which fuel the country's economic growth and provide nutrition to her people. The large sea area and the bounty of resources also carry immense management responsibilities ranging from ensuring the integrity of Malaysia's sovereignty over its maritime territories to the sustainable development of marine resources. Added to these are Malaysia's responsibilities as a member of the international community as stipulated in the many international maritime conventions which Malaysia has ratified.

1. Mobilising national and international expertise in the area of maritime policy analysis, development, implementation and evaluation in support of the Malaysian Government.

2. Undertaking of research and studies on Malaysia's maritime domain and providing opportunities for exchanges of ideas on such matters.

3. Providing the Government of Malaysia with opinions, policy options and recommendations on maritime related issues.

4. Publishing of findings from research works and related activities such as conferences, seminars and workshops.

5. Serving as the focal point for maritime policy research in Malaysia and as a link to other similar organisations nationally, regionally and internationally.

6. Becoming the national resource and reference centre for maritime affairs.

Throughout the years, MIMA has carried out research on numerous maritime issues. The spread of issues is determined by MIMA's research structure which encompass maritime economics and industry, ocean law and policy, coastal and marine environment and maritime security and diplomacy. In addition research at MIMA has always been guided by continuous consultations with the public and private sector to identify priority research areas and ensure that research activities at MIMA are relevant to the needs of the maritime community at large.

MIMA's research structure allows it to adopt a thematic approach in its research. The research themes provide an aegis under which research projects could be undertaken and ensures that MIMA fulfills its responsibilities to the government while allowing MIMA the independence to pursue ideas or topics of its own interest. The thematic approach also provides room for long term research in specific areas such as the formulation of a national ocean policy or the development of a nationwide database for port and shipping. In overall terms MIMA's research themes are reflected in the four research centres which form the core of MIMA's research.

MIMA uses many methods in its research. To augment conventional research approaches (surveys, literature reviews, interviews, seminars and conferences etc.) MIMA also conducts regular workshops and small group discussions or brainstorming sessions in its research. Such activities are useful for unearthing and introducing new ideas and concepts. MIMA has successfully employed these methods in introducing concepts such as integrated maritime enforcement, prevention of incidents at sea agreement and state of the marine environment reporting.