Merchant Navy as a career option has been around for quite a while , but thanks to it being an industry within the niche sector, many students aren't conscious of the career option in this field. Merchant navy is the most exciting and lucrative career that can be offered to any young student as a career option and it certainly is not a 9 to 5 job in the office. An officer at a young age is given responsibilities that his peers ashore can only dream of and therefore the remuneration is in fact the best like any of the top professions. The primary function of the Merchant navy is to move goods from one place to another . It is the most essential component of the world economy. More than 90% of products are transported everywhere on the planet using ships.
Merchant Navy is the field for those candidates who want to earn big and travelling through oceans for months doesn't bother you. Merchant navy may be a fleet of ships that's liable for transporting heavy goods from one country to another . It is one among the essential parts of international trade as most of the import and export are done through ships.
A career in the Merchant Navy is often most beneficial if you're trying to find lucrative jobs. This field is often joined through different courses counting on the preference of the candidate. There are three modes of entry into the sector varying counting on the courses that one seeks. Candidates can join the Merchant Navy at any level starting after class 10 to graduation.
Eligibility:
Since Merchant Navy courses are offered under UG, PG, Diploma and Certificate levels, the eligibility criteria for various courses vary. Here are some common requirements for Merchant Navy courses for various levels.
Requirements for Merchant Navy Bachelor Courses:
Requirements for Merchant Navy Diploma Courses:
Since there are various types of diploma courses available, the standards within the category vary.
Candidates shouldn't be over the age of 25 - 28 years.
For most of the one-year diploma courses, one must have passed 10+2 levels of examination with PCM and English as compulsory subjects.
For two-year diploma courses, candidates must have passed Diploma in Electronics Engineering/ Marine Engineering/ Mechanical Engineering/ Electrical Engineering/ Shipbuilding Engineering with a minimum of 50 per cent marks.
Requirements for 6-Months Merchant Navy Courses:
The candidates age should be between 17.5 to 25 years.
Candidates who have passed Class 10 with Science, English and Maths as main subjects and a minimum of 40 per cent marks are considered eligible.
Requirements for Merchant Navy Postgraduate Courses:
For MBA courses associated with the Merchant Navy, the upper regulation is 25 years whereas, for GME the upper regulation is 28 years.
For GME, candidates must hold a BE degree in Naval Architecture/ Engineering .
For MBA courses, candidates having any bachelor degree from a recognised university are considered eligible.
Medical Fitness Requirements for Merchant Navy Courses:
Candidates applying for any of the Merchant Navy courses should meet the medical fitness requirements.
Candidates should be medically fit including hearing and eyesight.
They must have a clear vision (6/6) in each eye separately.
It is required that the candidates must produce a certificate for medical fitness by authorised authorities.
Merchant Navy Admission Process:
Entry to different programmes resulting in a career in merchant navy is completed totally on the idea of entrance exams. However, there are other procedures for different entry levels. Check details below:
1. Admission through Entrance Exams:
If you would like to use technical courses for entering the Merchant Navy, then you'll need to appear for entrance exams. Exam is conducted for admission to marine engineering programmes after class 12.
Following are some popular exams:
Indian Maritime University (IMU CET)
JEE Advanced
Marine Engineering & Research Institute (MERI Entrance Exam)
Tolani Maritime Institute Science Aptitude Test (TMI SAT)
All India Merchant Navy Entrance Test (AIMNET)
However, there are a couple of colleges that also take students on the idea of marks secured in school 12.
2. Sponsorship Based Entry in Merchant Navy Courses:
Entry is additionally possible if you apply to either of the favored maritime institutes for maritime programmes. You can apply for sponsorships at the institutes started by shipping companies to coach potential candidates for the merchant navy.
The sponsorship to travel on a ship is going to be provided to you by the corporate through which you apply as long as you've completed a course at their institute.
3. Lateral Entry (LE) into 2nd year of Marine Engineering:
Direct Admission can be taken into the 2nd year of marine engineering programmes approved by the Directorate General of Shipping. There are 2 ways of getting LE seats in Marine Engineering programmes:
After completing the primary year of engineering from electrical or mechanical branch with minimum 60% and
Studying in a diploma in electrical, mechanical, marine or ship-building engineering with minimum 60% aggregate marks.
Merchant Navy Courses:
The merchant navy courses are often divided into two categories:
After 10th:
Near Coastal Voyage (NCV)
Commercial Diving
Diploma in Nautical Science (DNS)
G.P. Rating
After 12th:
B.Sc. Nautical Science
B.E. Petroleum Engineering
B.E. Marine Engineering
B.E. Naval Architecture and Offshore Engineering
B.E. Harbour & Ocean Engineering
B.E. Mechanical Engineering
B.E. Civil Engineering
B.Sc. Marine Catering
B.E. Electrical & Electronics Engineering
Electro Technical Officer Course
Top Merchant Navy Institutes:
Indian Maritime University, Chennai
Tolani Maritime Institute, Pune
Marine Engineering Research Institute (MERI), Calcutta and Mumbai
International Maritime Institute, Greater Noida
Samundra Institute of Maritime Studies, Mumbai
B.P. Marine Academy, Navi Mumbai
Training Ship Chanakya, Navi Mumbai
L. B. Shastri College of Advanced Maritime Studies and Research, Mumbai
Euro Tech Maritime Academy, Pazhanganad
Career In Merchant Navy:
Merchant navy fleets contain container ships, cargo ships, tankers, bulk carriers, a barge carrying vessels, passenger ships, refrigerators ships, roll on/roll off ships. With so many job opportunities, the Merchant Navy can undoubtedly save a thousand souls from staying jobless.
A career in Merchant Navy offers:
High income (Tax-Free)
Quick promotions
Free accommodation and food while on board
Long vacations
Travel experience
Some companies which operate merchant ships include Wallem Ship Management of Hong Kong , Chevron and Mobil of USA, Denholm of UK, Bibby Ship Management, K-Line, d’Amico, etc. Shipping Corporation of India, Essar, Chowgule Shipping and Great Eastern Shipping are a number of the favored Indian shipping companies. You can search for vacancies in these companies.
Job Profile:
Deck officer (navigation officer)
Electro-technical officer (ETO)
Engineer
Ratings - rating is skilled a seafarer who helps all the officers with daily tasks
Merchant Navy Pay Package:
Biggest advantage of working in the Merchant Navy is that you earn a tax free salary. When you stay more than 6 months outside India, you get NRI status and your salary is tax free. You don't have to pay income tax in India. Salaries for various ranks on bulk carriers / container ships are as given below. Most of the companies pay similar salaries so that they can retain their employees. Salaries on oil tankers / gas tankers are about 20 to 30 percent higher.
Rank & Approx. Salary:
Master (Captain) / Chief Engineer - 6.5L to 7.5L
Chief Officer / Second Engineer- 4.5L to 6.5L
Second Officer / Third Engineer- 2.25L to 3.7L
Third Officer / Fourth Engineer- 1.13 to 1.89L
Electrical Officer- 2.25L to 4.5L
Junior Engineer- 75k to 90k
Deck cadet / Engine Cadet- 37k to 60k
GP Rating- 75k to 1.50L
