Overview:
Merchant navy refers to the commercial marine services involved in shipping cargo and people across the world .Merchant navy officers work in various kinds of ships like cruise liners, cargo ships, tankers etc. Joining the merchant navy as an officer involves the prospect of travelling the world in a uniform and earning good salary. The pride of being in charge of a whole ship and the respect that is associated with this profession makes it an attractive option.
While the Indian Navy is involved in defence services related to water bodies, the Merchant Navy is a purely commercial form of sea career. Though the career offers high remuneration, it is a tough job as one has to stay at sea for months at a time. In spite of this, a career in the Merchant Navy is considered to be a highly satisfying one, especially if one is interested in travelling all around the world.
Career Path:
Candidates joining Indian Maritime University (IMU) or colleges affiliated to IMU for pre- sea courses have to appear for All India Common Entrance Test (IMU CET).
Other eligibility criteria include age (between 17 and 25 years), physical fitness and eye sight specifications (colour blindness is not accepted).
| Stream of Study in 12th Grade/School: |
Science stream with Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics (marks more than 60%) along with English.
Pre Sea GP Rating Course (can be done after 10th grade) |
| Degree/Graduation Courses: |
- B.Sc. in Nautical Science/ Marine Catering(1 year)
- B.Tech (Naval Architecture & Ocean Engineering)
- B.Tech in Marine Engineering
- B.Sc. (Ship Building & Repair)
- B.Sc. Nautical Science (3 Years)
- B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering and
- Graduate Marine Engineering (GME) course (after doing B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering)
|
| Higher education/Post Graduation Courses: |
- M.Sc. in Nautical Science/ Marine Catering
- M.Tech(Marine Engineering)
- M.B.A (Shipping and Logistics)
|
To join as a Deck Officer
- B.Sc. Nautical Science (3 Years)
- Diploma in Nautical Science (Leads to a BSc Nautical Science. Duration is 1 year)
To join as an Engineer
- BE/B Tech Marine Engineering (4 Years)
- GME Course (1 Year)
To join as a Rating after Class X or XII
- Pre Sea GP Rating Course (6 Months)
To join in the catering department after Class X or XII
- Maritime Catering Course (6 Months)
- B.Sc. in Marine Catering (3 Years)
Note: Before a Deck Cadet or Trainee Marine Engineer is sent on board a ship he/she has to undergo a 1 year pre-sea training in a Marine training institute ashore. The tuition fee of such training has to be borne by the candidate. Some shipping companies offer sponsorship for certain courses like B.Sc. Nautical Science and GME course. However, there will be a contract to join the company after successful completion of the course in case of company sponsorship.
Top Colleges:
- Indian Maritime University
- Neotia Institute of Technology Management and Science, Kolkata
- Delhi Academy of Merchant Navy, Delhi
- International Maritime Institute, Greater Noida
- R.L. Institute of Nautical Sciences, Madurai
- Vels University, Chennai
- Department of Marine Science, Goa University, Goa
- CV Raman College of Engineering (CVRCE), Bhubaneswar
- Oceanic Maritime Institute (OMI), Dehradun
- Mumbai Maritime Training Institute (MMTI), Mumbai
- MASSA Maritime Academy (MMA), Navi Mumbai
The Captain is the highest Rank one can achieve on board and he is the final authority of the ship. Chief Officer is the second responsible position after the Captain of the vessel.
