Career in Merchant Navy: Courses, Jobs, Career Path and Relevant Skills

Career in Merchant Navy

Ever felt the call of the sea, that strong desire to ride on the waves smell the salted air of the sea and hear the cry of the seagulls. The opportunity to travel around the world in seas has always motivated people to make a career in merchant navy which is made even strong by the possibility of strong enumeration.

Merchant Navy is unlike defense services in the sense that it offers commercial services. It is the name given to International Commercial Shipping Industry. It is the backbone of 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, the import-export business would stop severely impacting the economics of the nations. Ninety-five percent of world trade goods are transported by sea and, in these uncertain times when many industries are on the decline, the demand for the shipping industry is increasing year on year.

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The Industry comprises of several organizations which recruit people for a wide variety of profile from deck officers to engineers, something that we will be exploring down the section of the blog. Companies vary greatly in different parameters Ex Ship Size, Ship Variety, etc. Different types of merchant ships include container ships, cruise liners, oil tankers, chemical carriers, bulk carriers, cable layers, ro-ro ferries, car carriers, oil rig supply vessels, and cargo ships.  Their trade routes may take them to every continent and across every ocean on the globe.

There are three main operational departments of board ships:

• Deck department: This department is managed by navigating officers.
• Engineering department: Marine Engineering officers manage the engineering department.
• Catering department: It provides the passengers and the ship crew with essential domestic services.

The Indian Shipping Industry plays a crucial role in the development of the economy as Ninety percent of the trade is done via sea. Currently, India boasts the largest fleet among the developing nations. The Indian shipping industry includes national and international cargos and includes various other services like shipbuilding, ship repairing, lighthouse facilities, and freight carriers. India has the 14^th largest shipping industry in the world in terms of the volume of goods carried. A total of 616 ships are there of which 258 are engaged in overseas trade and rest in inland routes. Also because of the growing shortage of certified officers and crew members makes this is an opportune time to be joining the shipping industry, with prospects for early promotion to senior ranks. Typically ships operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with crew members of that ships doing rotating job shifts i.e. going on leave after their appointed time with the vessel has been completed. With technical officers and crew doing work in shift, the working hours of most hotel operations personnel on cruise ships and ferries depends on their guests’ routines.

Apart from work-life at sea will also offer various opportunities to engage in fun and leisure activities and also great opportunities at global travel. Normally the food and accommodation provided on board are excellent, with single cabins and suite facilities for officers on many vessels. Regardless of ship type, there will also be the opportunity to pursue leisure interests, socialize with colleagues on board, and study for further professional qualifications.

Career in Merchant Navy: Relevant Skills

• Effective Communication Skills -Communication is one of the most important things required to accomplish any task. Similarly, effective listening and speaking are required for any seafaring job as this ensures the smooth functioning of the various operational department on ships.
• Leadership – Considering the requirements of the job, it is expected of every individual on the ship is to be a good leader. A good leader is someone who not only does their job but is also ready to listen to other people, guide other people when people, and most important can keep himself calm and collected in strenuous times and think logically. All of these qualities are required for someone planning to have a job in the merchant navy, as there are strenuous times within the job. One should have self-belief and be able to motivate their colleagues to perform their tasks in the best possible way.
• Teamwork -Teamwork is essential, to achieve success in any field. It is essential that team members work towards a common goal only then you will be able to achieve it. It is specifically essential considering the merchant navy industry. As without the proper functioning of all the operations department on a ship, the ship won’t function properly.
• Self-Control – Life at sea is never easy as you have to stay away from your family for long periods and take control of your emotions. As a Merchant Navy Officer, you are responsible for sailing the ship and ensuring the safety of others.
• Health and Fitness-The sea test human endurance, both physically and mentally. It is important to be fit physically and also have the right mentality to be prepared for any situation. If a candidate is not fit physically then they won’t be selected. Since professional working in merchant navy have to be on the water for a major portion of the year, their health and fitness is a major concern. All work onboard affects another task with teamwork being the key. Therefore, lax performance in one area can put the other areas to risk.
• A zeal for adventurous and love for the sea – Merchant Navy is all about traveling and exploring the multiple destinations around the globe and love for the sea. Thus you should have the zeal to explore the new places. Also, you should have been easy in the sea this is a must quality for a career in Shipping.

Career in Merchant Navy: Eligibility

• The eligibility for joining the merchant navy is finishing class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.
• Candidates have to be unmarried Indian citizens.
• Normal vision is required but glasses up to plus or minus 2.5 may be allowed.
• Admission is through an entrance followed by a screening test and a main written examination.
• The candidate also needs to complete a ship-training course prior to employment. The course is generally short-term where the candidates are taught basic security concerns of voyaging.

Merchant navy complementary courses that interested candidate can pursue after 10^th

• Diploma in Nautical Science (DNS)
• Commercial Diving
• P. Rating

Merchant Navy courses candidate can purse after 12^th

• Interested candidate can pursue the following merchant navy courses:
• Sc. Nautical Science
• E. Marine Engineering
• E. Naval Architecture and Offshore Engineering
• E. Petroleum Engineering
• E. Mechanical Engineering
• E. Harbour & Ocean Engineering
• E. Civil Engineering
• Sc. Marine Catering

Candidates can also clear the merchant navy entrance exam:

After completion of 12th, candidates can appear for the Indian Maritime University Common Entrance Test (IMU CET) or the All India Merchant Navy Entrance Exam. The exam is generally conducted in the month of May. Some other exams in which can appear for Marine Engineering are JEE, MERI Entrance Exam, TIMSAT.

Career in Merchant Navy: Eligibility Criteria for Entrance Exam

• 10th for GP Rating Course.
• For Deck cadet and Engine cadet: 10+2 with PCM 60%.
• The 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 over subjects like Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, English, General Knowledge, and Reasoning.

Career in Merchant Navy: Top Institutes for studying Maritime Studies

• Chennai School of Ship Management
• V. Raman College of Engineering
• Balaji Seamen Training Institute
• CMC Maritime Academy
• Hindustan Institute of Maritime Training Post Sea Training Centre
• HIMT College Hindustan Institute of Maritime Training Pre-Sea Training Centre
• School of Seamanship and Nautical Technology
• Indian Maritime College
• GKM Institute of Maritime Science & Technology
• Indian Maritime University

Career in Merchant Navy: Prominent domains 

Deck officer (navigation officer): There are four levels of a deck- officer, depending on your experience:

• Master (Captain) – Master or Captain is fully responsible for the overall running and safety of the ship, crew, passengers, and cargo. He is responsible for handling the legal and commercial matters and keeps all the ship’s records up to date
• Chief Officer – Chief Officer assist the Master and oversee deck operations and maintenance as well as cargo handling and storage. He is also responsible for managing work schedules and supervises other officers
• Second Officer – Second Officer is responsible for navigation handling using radar, satellite, and computer systems. He monitors the vessel’s position, speed, direction, and weather reports, and carry out watch duties at sea.
• Third Officer – Typically this is the first post a candidate is assigned after training, dealing with the ship’s safety equipment and lifeboats. The third Officer assists the Second Officer and carries out watch duties.

Electro-technical officer (ETO): An electro-technical officer manages various responsibilities from one vessel to electrical systems. The electro-Technical officer works under a chief engineer who supervises everything on a ship. And while under a chief engineer, jobs of Electrotechnical officer would include the following things.

• Maintenance and working of electrical equipment are on the ship.
• Working with electrical components of engine rooms like a radio communications device, working with electronic navigation devices  like echo sounders, Gyro compass, Weather Fax, autopilot, RADAR system, Broadcast and internal aerial system, telephone and satellite communications
• Ensure working of basic electric devices like refrigeration, bridge systems, and control rooms
• Maintenance of emergency systems including emergency switches, fire alarms, and detectors
• Vessel’s electrical components like navigational lights, battery backups and electrically operated propelling machinery
• Assist the chief officer in handling routine works especially related to electrical handling
• During emergencies, an electrical officer plays a very important role. He is required to handle emergency situations and ensure all the electrical equipment needed for safety is ready.
• The role of an electrical officer is immensely important on passenger vessels where there are huge electrical requirements. Everything from refrigeration to air conditioning on such vessels would come under supervision as an electro-technical officer.

Catering & Hospitality Crew: Other than these there are catering and hospitality jobs which are offered as part of domestic services in a ship. After obtaining a degree or diploma in hospitality and hotel administration, or hotel management and catering technology, from a reputed institute candidates can apply for the job. Job profiles in the catering include:

• General Steward
• 2^nd cook trainee
• chief cook

The Saloon ratings (means both steward or cook) are generally employed for the upkeeping and maintenance of the accommodation and living spaces within the ship, including officer’s cabins and officer’s saloon. They normally attend the officer’s saloon and arrange to serve food, clean, and the officers cabin. The Chief cook is a part of the Saloon department and is responsible for the storage, preparation of entire food preparation for all the ship’s officers/crew, and upkeep of the Kitchen.

Career in Merchant Navy: Top Recruiters

• The Shipping Corporation of India Ltd
• Essar Shipping Ltd
• The Great Eastern Shipping Companies
• Bharati Shipyard
• ABG Shipyard
• Mercator Ltd
• Gujarat Pipavav
• Varun Shipping

We hope this is going to be helpful if you are planning to pursue a career in Merchant Navy. For more guidance, feel free to connect with us and provide your feedback as well, so that we can also improve in the future.