Jobs In The Merchant Navy: An Overview Of Essential Qualification Required

There is a saying that “if the ships of the world stopped, half the world would freeze and the other half would starve,” and this statement is, in fact, literally true. Even today, approximately 95 percent of the world’s goods are transported by sea. This includes essential commodities such as food grains, fertilizers, crude oil, fuels, chemicals, and gas. In this context, the MERCHANT NAVY plays an absolutely vital role. Furthermore, India contributes significantly by providing the manpower required to operate these ships. This includes not only captains and shipping officers but also marine engineers and various other skilled personnel who ensure the smooth functioning of maritime operations.

The Indian Ocean Coast, without a doubt, is a great gift for our country. Waterways, in particular, play a crucial role in the global supply chain. In fact, 95 percent of global logistics and 70 percent of cargo are carried by ships. However, many people remain unaware of the job opportunities available within this industry. As a result, the shipping sector has created numerous job prospects, opening doors to a wide range of career options. Furthermore, under the ‘Sagarmala Scheme‘ of the Central Government, many training institutes have taken up the important task of providing training in areas such as logistics management, navigation, and inspection, thereby further strengthening the workforce in this field.

Calling NARI SHAKTI

Over the past few years, more women have started working in the maritime industry. However, despite this progress, there are still fewer women than the global average. The maritime industry, which involves jobs directly connected to the sea, such as shipping and fishing, has seen gradual changes. More women are now joining this field, yet their numbers remain relatively small. When compared to other industries worldwide, these figures are still quite low.

That said, most of these women are working as chief officers or sailors, and some even take part in large-scale sailing operations. Moreover, the traditionally male-dominated maritime sector is expected to experience a notable increase in the number of female employees in the coming years, largely due to heightened awareness and advocacy for gender equality. As a result, women professionals are now poised to take on better job roles, with many maritime companies implementing new policies aimed at promoting diversity and inclusion.

MERCHANT NAVY : Passion to Profession

Students aspiring to join the Merchant Navy must have a strong mindset, as it is a somewhat offbeat career. It is different from the white- collar jobs of ‘nine to five’. It involves being away from home for several months (currently four to six) and facing extreme conditions like heat and rain, storms and wind, snow, and bitter cold. Communication, team-work, proficiency to perform given task, and right aptitude are some of the important skills required to survive in this field.

The officer’s role demands working day and night, at any time, and sometimes for several hours in a row. Despite these challenges, the career remains popular. In fact, many adventurous young people continue to find it appealing. Moreover, in recent years, more young women have begun to view this field as attractive as well. Several factors contribute to this growing interest, including the opportunities for world travel, the potential for a good salary (often in tax-free foreign currency), and the long consecutive vacations (typically 2–3 months). Additionally, the career offers early financial self-reliance, particularly for those in the executive class, which further adds to its allure.

Formal Education

Indian Maritime University plays a pivotal role in imparting formal education through various job-oriented courses and programs, leading to recognized degrees and diplomas. After completing formal education and obtaining the necessary certifications, students can, in fact, secure excellent job opportunities within the maritime industry. In addition to this, the Central Government has made significant changes by radically revising the curriculum in accordance with the new National Education Policy 2020. The primary aim of these revisions is to foster the creation of skilled manpower, achieved through a combination of research, quality education, and strategic partnerships with the industry.

About Indian Maritime University

The Indian Maritime University (IMU) was established in 2008 by an Act of Parliament and is currently under the administrative control of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. With a clear vision in mind, the IMU aims to be a world-class university that fosters excellence in maritime education and research. As a central university, the IMU offers both education and research opportunities in the field of maritime studies. In addition to its academic pursuits, the IMU has expanded its reach with six campuses across India, strategically located in Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata, Visakhapatnam, Cochin, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Furthermore, the IMU offers a wide range of educational programs, including undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral courses, providing students with ample opportunities to advance their studies in the maritime field.

The disciplines covered are nautical science, marine engineering, and naval architecture. They offer courses in ocean engineering, maritime law, maritime management, and logistics. Ocean engineering focuses on designing ocean structures, maritime law covers rules for maritime activities, and maritime management teaches skills for managing ships and ports. Logistics involves planning and moving goods. They give certificates to seafarers and maritime professionals. A seafarer is someone who works on a ship. Maritime professionals are people who work in jobs related to the sea.

MERCHANT NAVY: Academics

IMU has four schools that offer various programmes in maritime disciplines. The schools are: School of Marine Engineering & Technology, School of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering, School of Nautical Science and School of Maritime Management. IMU has many resources for students and staff. They offer academic regulations. These are rules for studying and teaching. They provide calendars. These calendars help you keep track of important dates. They publish journals and magazines. These contain articles and news. They also give guidelines to schools. These guidelines are for schools that want to join them. Schools can become affiliated with their organization. Affiliated means being officially connected.

Admissions

IMU conducts a common entrance test (CET) for admission to its programs. To begin the process, candidates can apply online through the IMU website and pay the required application fee. The admission process itself includes several crucial steps. First, there is the counseling session, where advisors assist you in planning your studies and offer guidance. Following this, another important step is document verification, which involves checking your documents to ensure they are both correct and complete. In addition to this, candidates must undergo a health examination, which is conducted by a doctor to assess their physical condition. During this examination, the doctor will check your overall health, asking questions about your medical history and evaluating essential aspects such as your heartbeat and breathing. This health check is a critical step to ensure that you are fit for the program and able to handle its physical demands.

Eligibility Criteria

The Indian Maritime University and other leading institutes in India offer various Merchant Navy courses. They have specific eligibility criteria for these courses. These criteria ensure that candidates possess the necessary knowledge and skills. They also ensure that candidates have the required physical fitness. This is important for succeeding in the challenging and rewarding Merchant Navy profession. Aspiring students should visit the official IMU website . On this website, they can find more information about the eligibility criteria for different courses and other admission-related details.

Some of the Job Roles Deck Department

Captain/Master – The officer with the highest rank is in charge of all ship operations. This officer makes sure everything on the ship runs smoothly. They oversee the crew and manage safety procedures.

Chief Officer – Assists the captain and oversees the deck crew. Second Officer and Third Officer – Involved in navigation, safety, and cargo operations.

Engine Department

Chief Engineer – The person in charge is primarily responsible for overseeing the ship’s engine room and ensuring that all machines operate efficiently and safely. In this critical role, they lead the technical team aboard the ship, closely supervising their work and overall operations. Moreover, the Second Engineer and Third Engineer play a highly supportive role by actively assisting the Chief Engineer in maintaining and operating the engine systems. Additionally, they work collaboratively to ensure that all systems function smoothly and without any issues. Consequently, this coordinated effort ensures the ship’s engine room operates optimally, maintaining both safety and efficiency at all times.

Electro-Technical Department

Electro-Technical Officer (ETO) – Handles the ship’s electrical and electronic systems.

Career Path in MERCHANT NAVY

Navigating Officers :Officers who navigate ships are called Navigating Officers. Marine Engineers are responsible for maintaining and repairing the ship’s machinery. They can be promoted to Chief Engineer. Electro-Technical Officers take care of the ship’s electronic systems. They oversee the electrical equipment and ensure it works properly.

Conclusion

Job opportunities in the maritime industry can vary significantly based on several factors, including the type of vessel, whether it be container ships, tankers, bulk carriers, or others, as well as the specific requirements of different shipping companies. Furthermore, the merchant navy offers a unique and highly rewarding global career, providing individuals with the opportunity to travel extensively and work in diverse environments across the world. In addition to this, it is especially important to stay consistently updated on industry requirements and regulations, as these not only play a key role in career progression but also ensure that professionals remain competitive, adaptable, and well-prepared to seize future opportunities. Consequently, maintaining compliance with the latest standards becomes a critical aspect of sustaining a successful maritime career.

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