With a vision to develop a world-class infrastructure for the maritime and shipping industry, PMA focuses its efforts on ensuring that state-of-art and up to date, facilities, services and operations delivered are according to international standards. It also oversees marine operations within public and private ports whilst providing marine, technical support and advice to port operators. In addition to ensuring maritime safety by maintaining 100% readiness of aids to navigation leading to the Kingdom’s port approaches.

Ports Affairs: Responsible for overseeing the ports’ and private jetties’ operations and performance, managing the issuance of licenses for port and marine services, as well as overseeing the ports’ commercial activities including the coordination between all the stakeholders and adopting ports’ standards and recommended practices as per the International standards. Directorates within Port Affairs include: 
- Commercial Affairs, Logistics Zones, and Port Development
- Port Operations and Technical Services
- Safety and Security

Maritime Affairs: Responsible for overseeing the shipping and maritime activities – including the registration of ships under the Bahraini flag and the issuance of relevant certificates – as well as adopting and enforcing international standards and recommended practices as per the local legislation and International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) guidelines. Directorates within Maritime Affairs include: 
- Ship Registry and Seaman Affairs
- Maritime Safety and Environmental Protection