Its original responsibility was training, education and armaments planning for the German Navy.

In 2001 it was merged with the former Navy Support Command, expanding its responsibilities to include naval logistics.

The Marineamt was commanded by a Rear Admiral directly subordinate to the Chief of the Naval Staff in the Ministry of Defence.

It was the superior command for all naval schools and bases as well as of some research and development institutions.

In 2012, the Marineamt was combined with the Naval Staff in the Ministry of Defence in Bonn and Fleet Command in Glücksburg to form Navy Command (Marinekommando), located in Rostock.