FAQs

Merchant Navy is also termed as ‘Mercantile Navy’ or ‘Merchant Marine’. It consists of several fleets of passenger ships, cargo liners, tankers, bulk carriers, car carrier carriers, containers and other unique types of ships used for commercial purposes. The industry includes the transit of goods and passengers throughout the globe using marine routes. Merchant ships may also take part in explorations or transporting passengers across ports. Learn more about Merchant Navy here

There are three main departments in which you can get a job in the Merchant Navy – The Deck department, the Engine department, and the Crew rating. The ship’s captain is the highest ranking that one can hold. The jobs include: Chief Officer, 2nd Officer, 3rd Officer, Deck cadet, Chief engineer, 2nd engineer, 3rd engineer, 4th engineer, 5th engineer, ETO, Bosun, Fitter/Welder, Able-bodied seaman, Ordinary seaman (OS), Trainee OS. On Cruises, a lot of other jobs are available in the hospitality department.

In order to join Merchant Navy, you need to pursue a pre-sea training course depending upon your current qualifications. For example, if you have completed your 12th PCM, you can pursue DNS, B.Sc in Nautical Science, or B.Tech in Marine Engineering. After completing the course, you can begin with your onboard training and start your career on the seas. To check your eligibility and find the course fit for you, click here.

Merchant Navy provides a great opportunity for students who want to get started with their careers after 10th. G.P. rating is a course that you can opt for after 10th that provides you with proper training and all the learnings which a candidate requires to work on the ship. This 6-month course trains candidates for both Deck and Engine room tasks. After the training, candidates can be placed in any Department (Engine or Deck). They get trained to perform tasks like Cargo Handling, maintenance work on Deck, Operation and maintenance of Machinery. Learn more about the course here

If you have completed your 12th PCM with 60% marks, you can join Merchant Navy by opting for any of these courses: DNS, B.Sc in Nautical Science, B.Tech in Marine Engineering. To join a course, you would require to appear for IMU-CET exams, appear for an interview, and clear a medical test. To learn more in detail, check out this blog.

If you have completed your graduation from Electrical or Mechanical field, you can go for ETO or GME course respectively. If not, you can also go for courses available after 12th PCM, or even 10th (if you’ve done your graduation from a field other than science). Explore all the courses and check your eligibility here.

To become a Merchant Navy officer, you either need to have a degree in Mechanical/Electrical engineering or 12th PCM with more than 60%. Then you can either choose to be an officer in the deck dept or an engineer officer. According to your qualifications, you can complete a pre-sea training course and then start your on-board training as a cadet. Post that you need to appear for MMD oral examinations to get your first license as an officer: Second mate of a foreign going ship. Further, as you gain the necessary experience and clear required examinations, you can eventually become the captain of the ship.

To make a career in the Merchant Navy, you need to complete a pre-sea training course from a DG approved institute. You can choose a course on the basis of your current qualifications and interests. You might have to appear for entrance exams, interviews, and medicals in order to get admission in a sponsored college. To learn more about making a career in Merchant Navy, check out this blog.

The Merchant Navy offers lucrative pay packages to its sailors. The salary package depends upon your job profile and rank. Officers get a better salary when compared to those who possess rating qualifications. After completing your pre-sea training, you can earn $250-$300 per month as a trainee. This amount can go upto $3000-$4000 per month as an officer. Learn more about the salary standards here.

The qualification required to join Merchant Navy varies from course to course. For example, if you wish to get admission in DNS, then you must have scored more than 60% marks in your 12th PCM. If you want to go for GME course, then you should be a graduate in Mechanical Engineering with a minimum of 55% marks. To check your eligibility, click here.

The fees depend upon the course you apply for. It is also different for sponsored and non-sponsored colleges. On an average, you can estimate spending anywhere between 2.5 to 6 lakhs. The fees will be on the higher side for sponsored courses, as it includes the fees of onboarding training too. Non-sponsored colleges don’t provide onboard training, thus their fees include only pre-sea training charges. To have an exact idea of fees, first you can check your eligibility here and find out the course that you can pursue, and then research about fees accordingly.

Sponsorship means a guarantee of providing a job by the company to the candidate after they finish their pre-sea training. Well, when you clear the exams and obtain a sponsorship, it means that your job (on-board training) is guaranteed once you finish your pre-sea training. It means that the fees of your on-board training is included in the academic fees itself and you won’t have to pay anything extra after completing your course.

IMU-CET is a computer-based entrance examination conducted by Indian Maritime University which is mandatory for students who want to take admission in UG and PG Maritime courses. Candidates who want to pursue B. Tech, B. Sc, M. Tech, M. Sc, and MBA have to appear for this entrance examination. It is an online examination consisting of multiple choice questions. Learn more about the exam here.

Yes, girls can certainly join Merchant Navy. In the last few decades, women have started entering into the previously male-dominated field of Merchant Navy. Huge shipping companies are also putting forward more opportunities for girls in Merchant Navy. There is no difference in the eligibility criteria for girls to join the industry. The salary standards are also the same as men. Explore all the courses and check your eligibility here.

Expertise will be a key to success on a cruise ship but a good qualification will help you to get a good profile. You should be a graduate with relevant work experience to get a better career option on a cruise ship at the beginning. To apply for a job on a Cruise ship, you can apply through a recruitment agency, through a Concessionaire Company, from the Cruise Company’s career portal, or on a Cruise Job Fair

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