It is a public cultural institution under the Binhai New Area People's Government, integrating collection, display, research, and education.

[5] In April 2010, the National Development and Reform Commission officially approved the site selection for the National Maritime Museum in the eastern coastal area of Binhai New Area, Tianjin, due to its "coastal proximity to the capital" and favorable construction and transportation conditions.

The Binhai Tourism Zone was finally chosen as the most suitable site for the National Maritime Museum due to its project characteristics and its potential to form a marine-themed cluster with nearby attractions such as the Kiev Aircraft Carrier Theme Park, the Ancient Coast Shell Dike Site, and the Bohai Marine Monitoring Base.

[7] From November 2012 to February 2013, the National Maritime Museum conducted two global solicitations for architectural design plans.

[10] On April 18, the site selection opinion for the National Maritime Museum project was approved by the Tianjin Planning Bureau.

The museum integrates various display methods, including physical objects, models, charts, multimedia, and interactive exhibits, to showcase the vast and mysterious marine world to the public.