Merchant Navy: Eligibility, Courses, Top Colleges, Jobs, and Salary

Merchant Navy container carrier ship

Merchant navy is a vital industry that plays a critical role in global trade and commerce, responsible for transporting goods and cargo across the world’s oceans and seas. It offers a range of exciting and rewarding career opportunities, from navigating ships to managing complex machinery and equipment.

Merchant Navy is different from the Navy in the sense that it offers commercial services, as opposed to the navy which is largely involved in the defense of a nation.

For those who are interested in a career at sea, the merchant navy offers a unique and exciting opportunity to work in an adventurous and challenging environment. From navigating the seas to managing complex machinery and equipment, the life of a merchant navy officer can be both rewarding and challenging.

If you are a recent high school graduate or a seasoned professional looking for a change, the merchant navy offers a range of career paths that can take you around the world and provide you with skills and experiences that will last a lifetime.

 

Eligibility Criteria

To join the merchant navy the candidate is required to have finished 12th grade with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics courses.

We have listed some more eligibility criteria below :  

  • Candidates also have to be unmarried Indian citizens (male or female).
  • Candidates should be between 17 to 25 years of age. However, there is a relaxation in the upper age limit for candidates who have prior experience in the merchant navy or for those applying for the post of marine engineers.

  •  Candidates should be medically fit as per the standards set by the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS). They need to undergo a medical examination by a registered medical practitioner and obtain a certificate of fitness.

  • Candidates should also be physically fit and meet the physical standards set by the DGS. They should have a minimum height of 157 cms and weight proportionate to height. They should have 6/6 vision in each eye, with no colour blindness or night blindness.
  • Candidates should be Indian citizens or hold a valid Indian passport.
  • Candidates also need to complete a ship-training course before employment. The course is generally short-term where candidates are taught basic security concerns of voyaging.

In addition to these eligibility criteria, candidates need to clear the entrance examination conducted by the Indian Maritime University (IMU) or other regulatory bodies. The entrance exam assesses the candidates’ aptitude and knowledge in areas such as Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and English.

Merchant Navy Courses

Merchant navy courses are designed to train individuals for various roles in the maritime industry. Listed below are the popular merchant navy courses in India :

B Tech Marine EngineeringDiploma in Marine Engineering (DME)
BE Mechanical EngineeringG.P Rating
B Tech Naval Architecture and Offshore EngineeringDiploma in Nautical Science (DNS)
B.B.A. Logistics & Supply Chain ManagementHigher National Diploma (Marine Engineering)
Marine Engineering under Alternate Training SchemeBBA Shipping
MBA Shipping & Logistics ManagementHigher National Diploma (Nautical Science)
MBA Shipping FinanceBE Harbour and Ocean Engineering
B Tech Ship BuildingBE Marine Engineering
B Tech Harbour & Ocean EngineeringETO (Electro-Technical Officer)
B.Sc Nautical ScienceElectro-Technical Officer Course

How to join Merchant Navy

To join the merchant navy, you need to meet the eligibility criteria such as age, educational qualification, medical fitness, and physical fitness standards.

For example, you may join as a junior engineer with an engineering degree and later become a fourth, third, second, and chief engineer. Or, with a BSc degree, you can become a third officer, second officer, and finally the chief officer.

How to join Merchant Navy after 12th

There is an abundance of Merchant Navy courses a candidate can do to join merchant navy after the 12th. The eligibility criteria may be different for a different courses. Below is the list of Merchant navy courses to do after the 12th.

  • B.Sc. Nautical Science
  • B.E. Naval Architecture and Offshore Engineering
  • B.E. Marine Engineering
  • B.E. Harbour & Ocean Engineering
  • B.E. Mechanical Engineering
  • B.E. Civil Engineering
  • Electro Technical Officer Course
  • B.E. Electrical & Electronics Engineering
  • B.Sc. Marine Catering
  • B.E. Petroleum Engineering

How to join Merchant Navy after 10th

The merchant navy offers a variety of job prospects for those interested in pursuing merchant navy courses after the 10th. Some of the well-known career profiles available in this sector include deck crew employment, engine crew positions, law, and maritime management.  Listed below are some of the merchant navy courses after the 10th.

  • Near Coastal Voyage (NCV)
  • G.P. Rating
  • Diploma in Nautical Science (DNS)
  • Commercial Diving

Merchant Navy Entrance Exams

There are many entrance exams for Merchant Navy courses offered in India. Candidates who want to attend a top Merchant Navy college in India need to pass the entrance exam for that specific college.

Some of the popular national entrance exams for the merchant navy are listed below:

  1. Indian Maritime University Common Entrance Test (IMU CET)

After completion of the 12th class, interested candidates can appear for the Indian Maritime University Common Entrance Test (IMU CET). This exam is generally conducted in the month of May. 

 2. All India Merchant Navy Entrance Exam

This exam is administered by the AIMNET Examination Board, which is overseen by the Offshore Shipping Academy. This exam has been approved by the Government of India’s Ministry of Corporate Affairs.

 3. Other Exams

The other exams that can also serve as a gateway for Marine Engineering are JEE, MERI Entrance Exam, TIMSAT.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Candidates need to have completed class 10th for the GP rating Course.
  • For Deck cadet and Engine cadet, the Candidate should have completed the 10+2 with PCM 60%.

Application for the exam can be done online. Along with the application form, applicants have to submit a brief summary of 100 words that states why they wish to apply for the Merchant Navy.

This exam is an MCQ pattern test spanning subjects like Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, English, General Knowledge, and Reasoning.

Merchant Navy - Job Prospects

There are many job opportunities in the merchant navy industry. Candidates who have completed a basic course in the merchant navy can easily find jobs through various consultants and placement agencies.

The merchant navy fleet consists of cargo ships, container ships, barge-carrying ships, tankers, bulk carriers, refrigerated ships, passenger ships, and roll-off/roll-on ships. Cargo ships typically have more job openings than the other types of ships.

There are many companies that require trained individuals to operate and maintain their merchant ships. Some of these companies include:

  • Chevron and Mobil of USA
  • Wallem Ship Management of Hong Kong
  • Denholm of UK
  • K Line
  • Bibby Ship Management
  • d’Amico 

India also has its share of shipping companies, such as:

Trained people are required for the three main departments of the ship: the deck department, the engine department, and the service department.

Merchant navy job profiles

There are many different career titles and duties available in the Merchant Navy, which is a large and complicated sector. The following are some of the most important jobs and duties in the merchant navy:

Deck department: The deck department is in charge of the ship’s safety and navigation. The Captain, Chief Officer, Second Officer, Third Officer, and Deck Cadet are the officials in charge of the deck. The deck department is in charge of chart upkeep, assuring safe navigation through various waters, and managing cargo operations.

Engineering department: The engineering department is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the ship’s engines and machinery. The Chief Engineer, Second Engineer, Third Engineer, Fourth Engineer, and Engine Cadet are the officers in the engineering division. The engineering department is responsible for ensuring that the ship’s engines and machinery are in good working order, overseeing maintenance and repairs, and ensuring that the ship’s fuel and water systems are properly maintained.

Catering department: The catering department is responsible for providing food and beverages to the crew and passengers. The officers in the catering department include the Chief Steward, Assistant Steward, and Steward. The catering department is responsible for preparing meals, serving food and beverages, and ensuring that the kitchen and dining areas are kept clean and hygienic.

Radio department: The radio department is responsible for the ship’s communication systems, including radio and satellite communication. The officials in the radio section are the Radio Officer and the Electronic Officer. The radio department is in charge of keeping radio logs current, making sure the ship is always in contact with other ships and land-based facilities, and making sure the communication systems on board are in good working order.

Medical department: The crew and passengers’ medical needs are handled by the medical department. The officers in the medical department include the Ship’s Doctor and the Ship’s Nurse. In addition to responding to medical emergencies and providing routine medical care, the medical department is in charge of making sure the ship has enough medical supplies and technology.

Safety department: The safety of the ship, crew, and passengers is the responsibility of the safety department. The officers in the safety department include the Safety Officer and the Environmental Officer. The safety department is in charge of running safety drills, seeing to it that the ship abides by safety laws, and seeing to it that the crew is instructed in safety practices.

Merchant Navy Salary in India

Merchant Navy salaries can range from Rs. 12000 to Rs. 8 lakhs per month, depending on the company, city, export-import needs, seniority, etc. Sailors serving in the merchant navy get tax-free salaries if they spend 183 days of a year in international waters. Otherwise, the salary is taxable as per the laws of the Government of India.

Listed below is the merchant navy salary per month with job profile:

Job Profile

Salary Per Month

Trainee Cadet

INR 10.20 LPA

Deck Cadet

INR 14 LPA

Chief Officer

INR 72 LPA

Captain

INR 2.4 Crore

Engineer

INR 50 LPA

Catering & Hospitality Crew

INR 24 LPA

Being a part of the merchant navy comes with some great benefits, like getting free meals on board and being able to bring your spouse along for the ride if you’re a senior officer. You also have access to duty-free liquor, cigarettes, canned foods, and cosmetics while you’re on board, and you get four months of leave every year.

If you’re someone who loves adventure, life in the merchant navy can be a great option for you. Yes, long periods of solitude can be tough, but the opportunity to see the world and get paid for it is hard to beat.

2nd Officer Salary in Merchant Navy

 

Experience

Average Annual Salary (INR)

0-4 years

17 L

5-10 years

36 L

3rd Officer Salary in Merchant Navy

 

Experience

Average Annual Salary (INR)

0-4 years

13 L

5-10 years

21 L

>10 years

36 L

Merchant Navy Colleges in India

India has several colleges which provide training for individuals who want to join the Merchant Navy- a non-combatant commercial force. Some of the best colleges for this in India are listed below.

 

1

C.V. Raman College of Engineering

Bhubaneswar

2

AMET University

Chennai

3

Balaji Seamen Training Institute

Chennai

4

Chennai School of Ship Management

Chennai

5

Chidambaram Institute of Maritime Technology

Chennai

6

CMC Maritime Academy

Chennai

7

Cosmopolitan Technology of Maritime

Chennai

8

Hindustan Institute Of Maritime Training Post Sea  Training Centre

Kilpauk, Chennai

9

HIMT College Hindustan Institute Of Maritime Training  Pre-Sea Training Centre

Kalpakkam (Chennai)

10

School of Seamanship and Nautical Technology

Kancheepuram

(Tamil Nadu)

11

GKM College of Engineering & Technology

Chennai

12

GKM Institute of Marine Sciences & Technology

Chennai

13

Indian Maritime College

Chennai

14

Indus Seafarers Training Academy

Chennai

15

International Maritime Academy

Chennai

16

Maritime Foundation

Chennai

17

MASSA Maritime Academy

Chennai

18

Indian Maritime University (National Maritime Academy)

Chennai

19

Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Institute of Maritime Science  & Engineering

Chidambaram

20

S.B.Vignesh Marine Training Centre

Chennai

21

Southern Academy of Maritime Studies

Chennai

22

School of Maritime Studies (Vels University)

Chennai

23

School of Maritime Studies (Vels University)

Chennai

24

Coimbatore Marine College

Coimbatore

25

Park Maritime Academy

Coimbatore

26

SeaSkills Maritime Academy

Coimbatore

27

Marine Training Academy

Daman

28

Centre for Maritime Education and Training

Dehradun

29

Mumbai Maritime Training Institute

Dehradun

30

Oceanic Maritime Academy

Dehradun

31

Agnel Maritime Academy

Goa

32

Francon’s Marine Academy

Goa

33

Institute of Maritime Studies

Goa

34

Institute of Petroleum Safety, Health & Environment Management

Goa

35

NUSI Maritime Academy

Goa

36

Seascan Marine Services Pvt Ltd

Goa

37

Natcom Education & Research Foundation

Gurgaon

38

Haldia Institute of Maritime Studies & Research

Haldia

39

Anglo Eastern Maritime Academy

Karjat

40

Indian Maritime University  (Kandla Campus)

New Kandla

41

Amer Maritime Training Academy

Kanpur

42

Noorul Islam University

Kanyakumari (Tamilnadu)

43

U. V. Patel College of Engineering

Kharva (North Gujarat)

44

MMTI’s Education & Research Trust

Khopoli

45

Mohammed Sathak Engineering College

Kilakarai(Tamilnadu)

46

Cochin Shipyard Limited

Kochi

47

Euro Tech Maritime Academy

Kochi

48

Institute of Marine Engineers (India)

Kochi

49

Indian Maritime University (National Maritime Academy)

Kochi

50

Kunjali Marakkar School of Marine Engineering of Cochin  University of Science and Technology.

Kochi

51

Univan Maritime Training Academy

Kochi

52

College of Maritime Studies & Research

Kolkata

53

Garden Reach Ship Builders & Engineers Ltd

Kolkata

54

Indian Maritime University, Kolkata Campus [Indian  Institute of Port Management]

Kolkata

55

Kolkata Port Trust

Kolkata

56

Marine Education Charitable Trust

Kolkata

57

Indian Maritime University (MERI)

Kolkata

58

Maritime Academy of India

Kolkata

59

Mercantile Marine Academy Foundation

Kolkata

60

S.E.I. Education Trust

Kolkata

61

Seacom Marine College

Kolkata

62

Sensea Maritime Academy

Kolkata

63

Centre for Maritime Education & Training

Lucknow

64

Subbalakshmi Lakshmipathy College of Science

Madurai

65

RL Institute of Nautical Science

Madurai

66

Mangalore Marine College and Technology

Mangalore

67

J. Sons Merchant Navy Institute

Meerut

68

Anglo Eastern Maritime Training Centre

Mumbai

69

Arya Marine Academy

Mumbai

70

Bonzer Academy of Maritime Studies

Mumbai

71

Don Bosco Normar Maritime Academy

Mumbai

72

Gurship Education Trust Maritime Training Institute

Mumbai

73

Indian Register of Shipping

Mumbai

74

Institute of Marine Engineers (India)

Navi Mumbai

75

International Marine Academy

Mumbai

76

International Maritime Training Centre

Mumbai

77

Indian Maritime University (LBS College of AMS)

Mumbai

78

Mangalore Marine College (MMC) [Mumbai Campus]

Mumbai

79

Indian Maritime University (MERI)

Mumbai

80

Marine Medical Clinic

Mumbai

81

Marine Training Academy

Mumbai

82

Maritime Training Institute

Mumbai

83

Mumbai Maritime Training Institute

Mumbai

84

Mazagon Dock Limited.

Mumbai

85

Naval Maritime Academy West

Mumbai

86

OERC Academy

Mumbai

87

Samundra Institute of Maritime Studies

Mumbai

88

Seafarers Marine Institute

Mumbai

89

School of Synergic Studies

Mumbai

90

SCMS Maritime Training Institute

Mumbai

91

St. Xavier’s Technical Institute

Mumbai

92

Suraksha Marine

Mumbai

93

Tolani Maritime Institute

Mumbai

94

TS Rahaman

Mumbai

95

Univan Maritime Training Academy

Mumbai

96

ABS Industrial Verification (India) Pvt. Ltd.

Navi Mumbai

97

Fleet Management Training Institute

Navi Mumbai

98

BP Marine Academy

Navi Mumbai

99

MASSA Maritime Academy

Navi Mumbai

100

Pentagon Maritime Training & Research Institute

Navi Mumbai

101

Ramana Academy of Maritime Studies

Navi Mumbai

102

Sagar Gyan Academy

Navi Mumbai

103

Setrac College of Offshore Training

Navi Mumbai

104

SNS Maritime Training Institute

Navi Mumbai

105

Indian Maritime University (TS Chanakya)

Navi Mumbai

106

United Marine Academy

Navi Mumbai

107

Yak Management & Marine Education Centre

Navi Mumbai

108

Yak Educational Trust

Navi Mumbai

109

Applied Research International

New Delhi

110

Anglo Eastern Maritime Training Centre

New Delhi

111

Aquatech Institute of Maritime Studies

New Delhi

112

Fosma Maritime Institute and Research Organization

New Delhi

113

Oceans XV Educational Trust

New Delhi

114

Sriram Institute of Marine Studies

New Delhi

115

International Maritime Institute Ltd

Noida

116

Orissa Maritime Academy

Paradip

117

National Inland Navigation Institute

Patna

118

Institute of Marine Education & Research Pvt Ltd

Patna

119

Neotia Institute of Technology, Management and  Science

24-Pargans(S) (W.Bengal)

120

Maritime Education Training & Research Institute

24-Pargans(S)(W.Bengal)

121

Trident College of Marine Technology

24-Pargans(S)(W.Bengal)

122

School of Higher Academic and Professional Education

Panchkula (Harayana)

123

Indian Maritime University [Karaikal Campus]

Pundechery

124

Pondicherry Maritime Academy

Puducherry

125

Sri Chakra Maritime College

Puducherry

126

Marine Officers Training Academy

Pondicherry

127

RVS College of Maritime Science and Engineering

Pondicherry

128

Sai Ram Shipping Science Institute

Pondicherry

129

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Govt. Polytechnique

Port Blair

130

Great Eastern Institute of Maritime Studies

Pune

131

Maharashtra Academy of Naval Education & Training

Pune

132

Samundra Institute of Maritime Studies

Pune

133

Tolani Maritime Institute

Pune

134

Vishwakarma Maritime Institute

Pune

135

Commander Ali’s Academy of Merchant Navy

Secunderabad

136

Srivenkateshwara College of Engineering

Sriperumbadur (Tamilnadu)

137

Columbus Maritime Training Institute

Thane (Maharashtra)

138

Baba Marine Institute

Thane (Maharashtra)

139

Mariner’s Academy

Thane (Maharashtra)

140

Tamilnadu Maritime Academy

Thoothukudi

141

PSN College of Engineering & Technology

Tirunelveli (T.Nadu)

142

Maritime Training Institute [SCI] Tuticorin Campus

Tuticorin

143

Asha International Institute of Marine Technology

Varanasi

144

Sri Nandhanam Maritime Academy

Vellore (Tamil Nadu)

145

Praveenya Institute of Marine Engineering & Maritime  Studies

Visakhapatnam (AP)

146

National Ship Design & Research Centre

Vizianagaram (AP)

Merchant Navy Colleges in Abroad

Listed below are some the most popular colleges for merchant navy in the world.

No.InstitutesCountry
1Massachusetts Maritime AcademyUS
2The University Of New OrleansUS
3U.S. Merchant Marine AcademyUS
4University Of GalvestonUS
5Australian Maritime CollegeAustralia
6British Columbia Institute Of Technology’s Pacific Marine Training CampusCanada
7Canadian Coast Guard College, Westmount, Nova ScotiaCanada
8Hiroshima National College Of Maritime TechnologyJapan
9Aarhus School Of Marine And Technical EngineeringDenmark
10Fleetwood Nautical CollegeUK

Merchant Navy salaries can range from Rs. 12000 to Rs. 8 lakhs per month, depending on the company, city, export-import needs, seniority, etc. The average salary for merchant navy is 3.2 Lakhs.

The Merchant Navy is vital to international trade, carrying cargo all over the world. Merchant ships employ a huge number of workers to carry and deliver goods from one country to another. Without the merchant navy, much of the import-export business would come to a grinding halt!

You can join merchant navy by clearing the entrance exam conducted for merchant navy, followed by screening test and medical test.

Is merchant navy a government job? The answer is both yes and no. If you work for the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), you work as a government employee. However, the majority of other companies in the merchant navy field are private entities.

Yes, long periods of solitude can be tough, but if you’re someone who loves adventure, life in the merchant navy can be a great option for you.