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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.
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 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.
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 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 Engineering | Diploma in Marine Engineering (DME) |
BE Mechanical Engineering | G.P Rating |
B Tech Naval Architecture and Offshore Engineering | Diploma in Nautical Science (DNS) |
B.B.A. Logistics & Supply Chain Management | Higher National Diploma (Marine Engineering) |
Marine Engineering under Alternate Training Scheme | BBA Shipping |
MBA Shipping & Logistics Management | Higher National Diploma (Nautical Science) |
MBA Shipping Finance | BE Harbour and Ocean Engineering |
B Tech Ship Building | BE Marine Engineering |
B Tech Harbour & Ocean Engineering | ETO (Electro-Technical Officer) |
B.Sc Nautical Science | Electro-Technical Officer Course |
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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:
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.
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 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.
Experience | Average Annual Salary (INR) |
0-4 years | 17 L |
5-10 years | 36 L |
Experience | Average Annual Salary (INR) |
0-4 years | 13 L |
5-10 years | 21 L |
>10 years | 36 L |
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) |
Listed below are some the most popular colleges for merchant navy in the world.
No. | Institutes | Country |
1 | Massachusetts Maritime Academy | US |
2 | The University Of New Orleans | US |
3 | U.S. Merchant Marine Academy | US |
4 | University Of Galveston | US |
5 | Australian Maritime College | Australia |
6 | British Columbia Institute Of Technology’s Pacific Marine Training Campus | Canada |
7 | Canadian Coast Guard College, Westmount, Nova Scotia | Canada |
8 | Hiroshima National College Of Maritime Technology | Japan |
9 | Aarhus School Of Marine And Technical Engineering | Denmark |
10 | Fleetwood Nautical College | UK |
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.