Merchant Navy

Merchant Navy is a shipping sector and is in charge of transporting freight and passengers along marine routes. Candidates can pursue Merchant Navy courses after completing their Class 10+2 and apply for bachelor's degrees like B Tech marine, B Tech naval architecture, ocean engineering, BBA in shipping, etc. Candidates also pursue Pre-sea Nautical diploma courses after Class 10th. Merchant Navy Admission is done based on merit basis via entrance exams like IMU CET, JEE Main, TMI-BITS-EE, etc. In the Merchant Navy syllabus candidates are taught about shipping management, cargo machine and marine communication, and principles of navigation. 

By pursuing this course you can find Merchant Navy job opportunities in companies like the Shipping Corporation of India, Great Eastern Shipping and Essar, Chowgule Shipping, etc. The merchant navy courses are available in offline and offline modes. Some of the top merchant navy colleges in India are Tolani Maritime Institute, Samundra Institute of Maritime Studies, Vels Academy of Maritime Studies, etc. The average starting Merchant Navy salary at the officers level in India ranges from INR 7,50,000 - INR 9,50,000 Per Annum. Regardless, with incremental experience and modernized skills along with appropriate knowledge, the Merchant Navy Salary after 5 years can go up to as much as INR 37,00,000 Per Annum for a senior officer and above INR 2,00,00,000 for Chief Engineers. 

Quick Facts about the Merchant Navy

• The job of a Merchant Navy officer is good for both men and women. 
• It used to be a job only for men, but now women can also do it. 
• It is fair for everyone now. However, if someone has a disability, they cannot do this job. 
• This job needs someone very strong and healthy both mentally and physically. 
• The person must have good eyesight and must be able to do difficult tasks every day. 
• A Merchant Navy officer must spend many months on a ship in the sea. So, it is very important to be healthy and strong.
• Someone with a disability cannot do this job.

The Merchant Navy course is pursued by those who are interested in working on ships and want to travel via ocean. A candidate who enrolls in a merchant navy course will learn about a specialization that helps them comprehend how a ship's fundamental workings operate. If you are planning to pursue this course and make a career in a merchant navy, go through the highlights table given below to get important details of this course.

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In today's world, there is a growing demand for Merchant Navy officers. Countries are interfacing with overseas trade in the globalization period, which is largely carried out by shipping corporations. Pursuing a Merchant Navy degree would provide you with several job prospects both in India and overseas. Check the perks of choosing a merchant navy degree given below. 

Earn Handsome Salary

The merchant navy is not a career for everyone and requires dedication. Therefore, professionals who studied the merchant navy course and became merchant navy officers earn a lucrative salary. An experienced merchant navy officer can earn up to 37 LPA and in addition also get various tax benefits. 

In-Demand Profession 

Becoming a merchant navy is a very unconventional choice and not everyone studies this course and rather goes after engineering and medicine. Therefore, this field has various career opportunities available that you can take benefit of by studying this course. 

Opportunity to Travel the World

The job profile of the merchant navy includes traveling across the globe. So, if you are someone who wants to experience the world, visit various countries, and explore different cultures and cuisines then the merchant navy is the career for you. 

Get Job Security

As a merchant navy officer, you will be in charge of exporting and importing goods from various countries' borders which ultimately contribute to global trade and country development. Since global trade is an ongoing activity, there is always a need for qualified experts in the merchant marine. Job stability is generally good in this industry, and prospects for advancement are available. 

Contributing to Global Trade

By moving commodities and resources across the world's oceans, the merchant navy plays an important role in promoting global trade. By pursuing a profession in this sector, you become an important component of the global economy, helping to transport commodities and resources that support industries and communities.

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The Merchant Navy is one of the greatest career options to pursue if you want to earn a solid living while traveling the world for free. You will earn good money and get cultural exposure. There is not much competition in the merchant navy career like for engineering and medicine so it became easy to get into a good college and kick start your career with a high-paying job. Especially, if you love seat, and traveling and are a wanderer you will love this career. It’s not a typical 9 to 5 desk job rather a adventaruous job. Sailing is not a lonely activity. You can make your spouse join you on the ship as per the duration of your contract. (However, just a few firms offer this service.) 

So, overall to conclude merchant navy is a very good career choice in current times.

The step-by-step procedure to join the merchant navy has been listed below. 

1. Candidates must complete class 12th or equivalent exams with a compulsory subject combination of Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics along with 60% aggregate marks or an equivalent CGPA.
2. They have to register for the JEE Main and IMU CET, clear them followed by an interview and medical test round.
3. Candidates must pursue a BSc nautical science program from any of the top colleges across the country.
4. After completing their 18-month cadet onboard training, individuals must register for the competency exam offered by the Indian government.
5. Join as the Third Officer and then for rank advancements and promotions after starting as the third officer, can appear for yearly exams and clear them.

Candidates with a strong passion for marine experiences and a desire to participate in several sea voyages should pursue this career. You mustn't get seasick because you will go on long sea voyages as a naval merchant officer. It is a fantastic job option in today's world. In addition, you must meet the Merchant Navy qualifying conditions and be physically fit. 

Check the Merchant Navy eligibility criteria given below. 

Medical fitness for Merchant Navy

• Candidates must have normal vision (6/6) in both eyes and medically fit hearing capabilities.
• Candidates should hold relevant physical fitness certificates. 
• Candidates applying for any of the Merchant Navy courses must meet the medical fitness requirements. 
• Candidates must be medically fit including hearing and eyesight. 
• They must have normal vision (6/6) in each eye separately. 
• It is required that the candidates produce a certificate for medical fitness by authorized authorities

Are tattoos allowed in the Merchant Navy?

Tattoos and piercings are not prohibited in the Merchant Navy field. Sailors are the forefathers of nautical tattoo culture. The maritime academies, on the other hand, have strict disciplinary requirements and demand officers to have certain attributes. Therefore, if a candidate has unusual piercings and tattoos it may be seen as objectionable.

Required Skillset for Merchant Navy 

Apart from academic qualifications, a candidate who wants to become a successful Merchant Navy officer should have certain interpersonal skills that will make him or her efficient in their job. These skills are as follows:

• Physical Strength: A Merchant Navy officer's job involves traveling in the sea for a long period, and hence, they should be physically strong and fit so that they can sustain themselves in the sea and not get affected by seasickness.
• Mental Ability: A Merchant Navy officer may have to stay in the sea for a long time without ever seeing land, which can be challenging for those who are not mentally strong enough. Therefore, a Merchant Navy officer must have strong mental abilities.
  Leadership and Decision Making: A Merchant Navy officer must possess good leadership qualities. They may be in charge and crew members will look up to them for major and effective decisions. With leadership qualities, they will be able to manage their job responsibilities and crew members well.
• Decision-making Ability: One of the most useful talents for making rapid judgments in tight situations. On a ship, even a little mistake may be disastrous to the entire crew and ship, which is why it is critical to guide the crew in the proper path by making the appropriate judgments.
• Mathematical Ability: Many individuals underestimate the importance of soft skills. However, without mathematical understanding, you cannot operate the ship, but you may calculate bunkering and cargo handling. Overall, it provides the foundation for a strong and successful seafaring career.
• Technical Knowledge of Machinery: You can't be a competent Captain or Chief Engineer if you don't understand the task you're accountable for. You must be knowledgeable about your work and the various apparatus under your supervision.
• Management Skills: Once you reach a particular level in the Merchant Navy or elsewhere, this is a talent that you must possess if you want to be a successful leader. A good captain always considers his men before himself.
• Teamwork: Merchant Navy is all on teamwork; if you can work in a group, you will learn and advance at a rapid pace. Employers also search for those who can manage and collaborate in a team setting.

There are numerous entrance exams for Merchant Navy courses available in India. To get admission to a top Merchant Navy college in India, candidates are required to pass the entrance exam of that particular college. The basic eligibility requirement for these Merchant Navy entrance exams, you need to pass Class 10+ 12 from a recognized institution with a minimum of 50% marks. 

Check the list of popular merchant navy entrance exams given below. 

Other Merchant Navy entrance exams that candidates can take after graduating from high school include the MERI Entrance Exam and the TMISAT Entrance Exam.

Check the list of popular Merchant Navy specializations given in the table below.

Are you wondering how to join the merchant navy? After passing class 10 exams and finishing a Pre-sea Nautical diploma program, candidates can join any company associated with the merchant navy. If you complete your basic bachelor's degree or course in Merchant Navy you easily find employment through various consultants and placement agencies. Along with the Merchant Navy qualifications, candidates should also be physically fit. Go through the points given below to learn how to become a merchant navy. The Admission Process of Merchant Navy has been explained below.

Step 1: Pass Class 10 & Class 12

Candidates need to clear Class 10 and Class 12 from a recognized board with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics with minimum marks to sit for an entrance exam or take admission in a Merchant Navy short-term course. 

Step 2: Sit for a Merchant Navy entrance exam

If you want to get a well-recognized degree in the Merchant Navy, you need to pass entrance exams. Many colleges and universities offer admission to candidates based on a 12th-grade passing percentage cut-off. The entrance exam for the Merchant Navy is-

Step 3: Pursue Merchant Navy bachelors program 

To pursue a successful career in the Merchant Navy, one must first complete a bachelor's degree program in a related specialization. The duration of a Merchant Navy bachelor's program varies from 3 years to 4 years. Some of the Merchant Navy bachelor programs that you can enroll has been listed below.

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Step 4: Enroll in the Merchant Navy Masters Program 

If the candidate has completed his bachelor's degree, they can apply for a job directly or pursue masters if they wants.

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Lateral Admission in Merchant Navy

Lateral Entry (LE) into the second year of Marine Engineering Direct Admission is also available for marine design projects approved by the Directorate General of Shipping. There are two methods for ensuring LE places in Marine Engineering programmes:

• Having finished the first year of Mechanical or Electrical Engineering.
• A diploma in comparable engineering courses with a minimum score of around 60% is required.

Admission to Merchant Navy Through Sponsorship

Students who apply to well-known institutes for marine studies may be eligible for sponsored admission to Merchant Navy courses. They can seek support from large maritime groups. If these organizations recognize potential in students, they will support their education as well as their participation in the shipper naval force.

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If you want to join the merchant navy early after completing class 10th only, then you must have passed high school with 40%. Admission is determined by a series of tests and evaluations. First, the candidate must pass one exam, which is followed by a screening test and a written examination. After completing class 10th, a candidate must study one of the following merchant navy courses -

• Deck Rating Course
• Engine Rating Course
• NCV Course
• Diploma in Marine Engineering (follow it up with DME pre-sea training).
• Saloon Rating Course
• GP Rating Course

Career Path to Becoming Merchant Navy After 10th

The complete guide on how to join the merchant navy after Class 10th has been given below. 

Step 1: After graduation from high school, a person can choose a career route that begins with six months of pre-sea training. 

Step 2: Then join the commercial fleet as a trainee. 

Step 3: After that, aim for the rank of able-bodied seaman. 

Step 4: Following that, strive to get promoted to bosun after passing the COC test. 

Step 5: Following that, applicants are prepared to become the ship's captain, chief officer, and second officer, and eventually attempt to pass the DG shipping tests and become deck officers.

If your goal is to become a merchant navy in India you must have a set plan from class 12th only. Go through the details given below to understand how to join the merchant navy in India

Step 1: To join the merchant navy in India, applicants must have a minimum of 60% or comparable CGPA in their class 12 board exams, as well as a required academic mix of Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.

Step 2: Students can then apply for and pass the JEE and IMU CET merchant navy entrance exams, which are followed by an interview and a medical exam.

Step 3: Applicants must then enroll in a B.Sc. nautical science program at one of the nation's top nautical science universities or a related merchant navy course

Step 4: After completing their 18-month cadet aboard training, students must apply for the Indian government's competency exam.

Step 5: Then, a candidate can join as a Third Officer, then submit applications for promotions and rank increases. Candidates can take and successfully pass examinations after they reach the rank of Third Officer.

Candidates pursuing the Merchant Navy course need to have a good understanding related to a wide range of subjects. The merchant navy sub & syllabus that are covered in the Merchant Navy programs are as follows:

• Naval Architecture
• Ship Operation Technology
• Marine Machines and System Design
• Mechanics of Fluids
• Marine Boiler and System Engineering
• Maritime Law
• Voyage Planning and Collision Prevention
• Electrical Machines
• Environmental Science
• Marine Electrical Technology
• Nautical Physics and Electronics Paper
• STCW and Ship Fire Prevention
• Marine IC Engineering
• Shipping Management
• Cargo Machine and Marine Communication
• Marine Auxiliary Machine
• Principles of Navigation
• Marine Heat Engines and Air Conditioning

Popular Merchant Navy Subjects

Merchant Navy Training

After completing the respective programmes in the merchant navy, all candidates must undergo pre-sea training conducted by the Maritime Training Institute. Be it marine engineering or simply a maritime catering programme, all candidates have to undergo this training before they start working as interns on the ship. The duration of the training can vary from six months to one year depending on the programme that the candidate has pursued.

Many candidates while selecting a career as a Merchant Navy officer get confused with the Indian Navy. There is a vast difference between these two professions. The Merchant Navy officer's job profile revolves around the commercial journey of import-export of goods through sea shipments, Whereas the Indian Navy officer is on national duty to protect the nation from seaside enemies. To get a clear idea go through the table given below that differentiates between the Merchant Navy and the Indian Navy. 

Also read: Indian navy posts for class 10 and class 12

Merchant Navy colleges are located throughout the country and are designed to provide training to those interested in joining this non-combatant commercial force. Some of the Top Merchant Navy colleges in India 2024 are listed below. The Directorate of Shipping has accredited these colleges, and the Ministry of Surface Transport of the Government of India has approved them for personnel training. 

These colleges offer merchant navy courses in diploma, UG, and PG level. 

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Merchant Navy admission processes and criteria for Merchant Navy colleges in India can vary. The term "direct admission" may have different implications depending on the institute. Some institutes may have a merit-based admission system, while others may conduct entrance exams or interviews. Here are some prominent Merchant Navy colleges in India:

Merchant Navy officers are classified into many kinds. Engineering officers and deck officers are the two main categories of Merchant Navy officers. Go through the details about these positions given below.

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Career in the Merchant Navy Engine Department 

Following are the career options in the Merchant Navy Engine Department. 

Career in Merchant Navy Deck Department 

Candidates can check out the merchant navy career options in the deck department below. 

Also Read- Merchant Navy Salary after 10th & 12th for all Officer Posts in India 2024

Types of Ships Merchant Navy Works On

Professionals in the merchant navy work mostly on cargo ships and commercial vessels. The types of ships the merchant navy works on are:

• Tanker ships
• Passenger ships
• Cruise ships
• Container ships
• Bulk carriers
• Offshore vessels
• Ro-R0 ships (Roll-On Roll-Off vessels)
• Ferries

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Merchant Navy Salary in India After Class 10

Beginnings of the merchant navy salary after class 10th varies between INR 25,000 and INR 30,000, and it is subject to change based on examinations and achievements.

Merchant Navy Salary in India After Class 12

The merchant navy salary in India after 12th class is INR 25,000 per month minimum, and the highest salary is INR 10 lakhs per month. Following is the salary scope after pursuing a career in the merchant navy:

Sailors serving in the merchant navy get tax-free salaries if they spend 183 days of a year in international waters else the salary is taxable as per the laws of the Government of India.

Merchant Navy, being a field that requires exhaustive traveling, there are well-paying off-shore options as well that one can look into after taking early retirement from the job or on completion of the contract.

Top Recruiting Companies of Merchant Navy

Merchant navy vacancies are posted online by various companies. There are around 4000 vacancies posted every year. You must keep track of the merchant navy vacancies and fill out the application form before the deadline. Before filling out the merchant navy recruitment form check out the eligiblity requirements. There are several organizations in India that post merchant navy vacancies so you will find ample opportunities for employment. The government of India also posts merchant navy vacancies every year that you can apply. 

Working as a merchant navy officer can be tough, especially when having to face harsh weather conditions. Sometimes, the sea can get rough and despite this, the officers must work tirelessly to make sure that the cargo is delivered safely and on time. The cold weather can also take a toll on their health, making it even more challenging.

Does the Merchant Navy Require Travelling?

A career as a merchant navy officer allows you to travel the world and get paid for it, which is the main attraction of this job. In India, merchant navy officers are involved in transporting cargo from one place to another, which means they get to travel a lot. They spend weeks and even months traveling around the globe. Although they do dock at ports, they don't necessarily leave the ship. The average starting salary of the Merchant Navy in India varies from INR 7,50,000 to INR 9,50,000 Per Annum. 

How is the Workplace of the Merchant Navy?

The workplace of the Merchant Navy has been listed in the following content.

Employment Shifts & Nature

A career in the merchant navy offers two types of shifts - full-time and contract basis. If you work in an office environment, it's a full-time job. But if you're on a ship, you may have to stay there for months on end. In such cases, you'll be compensated with a leave allowance for those months. Usually, if you spend eight months on the ship, you'll get a four-month compensatory leave. People who work on ships are generally hired on a contract basis.

The career of the merchant navy demands the candidates to work on contractual wages. Here, the merchant navy salary is paid when the candidates serve onboard. The salaries of the officers are credited to their bank account in the first week of every month. for instance, if the contract is for 6 months, then the candidate will have to stay on board for six months straight till the contract ends. once the officer signs off on the contract, the salaries stop.

Geographical Area

If you're interested in a career as a merchant navy officer, you should know that these jobs involve working on ships that transport goods. Most of these ships are either freighters or tankers. Please note that you may have to spend long periods away from home if you choose this career path. The majority of merchant navy job opportunities are located in cities that are close to the coast, such as Chennai, Kochi, Goa, and Mumbai because these areas are where most of the shipping business takes place.

Time Pressure

If you choose to pursue a career in the merchant navy, you should know that it can be quite challenging in terms of time pressure. Merchant navy officers usually spend several months at a time on the ship, and they receive compensatory leave allowance for the same duration. Typically, a merchant navy officer's work schedule involves staying on the ship for eight months and then taking a four-month break. Keep in mind that merchant navy officers are usually hired on a contract basis.

Weekly Duration

Candidates working in the merchant navy work on a contractual basis and have to dedicate all their time on deck, which can last for 6 or 9 months depending on the terms of the contract. Once the contract is over, they might look for other job opportunities. Those who work permanently get to take 2 to 3 months off after serving on deck for 6 to 8 months.

Merchant Navy Uniform

The Merchant Navy uniform is, without a doubt, a source of great pride, and maritime personnel is required to keep it up to date and tidy at all times. Officers in the Merchant Navy often wear a white shirt and black pants, with epaulets depending on the ship's rank. During cold weather, the outfit is worn with black formal shoes and a pullover or hoodie. The P-cap is a black hood with a white top that has an anchor symbol on it.

When working on ships, however, the crew typically wears a boiler suit as well as personal protection equipment (PPE). Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) will vary depending on the type of ship and the sort of job to be done. Officers are required to wear the uniform when on the bridge, in the mess room, or when the captain requests it.

Several course options are available after the conclusion of Merchant Navy undergraduate programs. Some of them have been listed below.

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