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How to Make a Career in Merchant Navy?

The merchant navy is a distinct industry entirely dedicated to business operations, such as the transportation of cargo and passengers across maritime routes. The Merchant Navy aptly termed "Shipper Marine," is an essential part of the global distribution sector and an essential aspect of any country's economy. Because of its attractive salary package and unique work opportunities, it is one of the most popular courses after Engineering. Because most of the world's business transactions take place across the water, the sector of dealer naval force has a high reputation around the world. It is a global sector in which a few countries collaborate on various types of vessels. The specifics and prospects of a career in the Merchant Navy will be discussed in this article. So get ready, and let's get started on the blog.

What is Merchant Navy?

The job is all about taking care of the country's commercial shipping. It is not hard to make a career in Merchant Navy, but all it needs is dedication at a high level. The life of a merchant navy is all about travelling around the world, managing cargo, checking ship direction, maintaining the ship, cleaning the vessels, exploring various cultures, etc. It is exciting for those interested in travelling or bitten by a travel bug. But everything has two sides, positive and negative. A significant sacrifice they need to make is not meeting their family for a long time. Their work period is around 6-7 months, and after that, they are given a vacation of 4-5 months continuously.

The most excellent part about this position is that it is tax-free. You need not provide any tax to the government. Because in India, people have to pay tax for each and everything, so it is a massive benefit for them. The person will be given an NRI status because you have to live out of India for around six months. 

How to Make a Career in Merchant Navy After 10th?

If a person wants to join the navy after completing class 10th, they must gain 40% marks in the 10th standard. There are some conditions as well, and the person should have clear vision and glasses are only acceptable in the case if the number is 2.5 in plus or minus. This condition is also allowed for only some ranks; admission is followed through some exams and tests. The person has to give one exam first, next - a screening test, and then a written examination.

There are several merchant navy courses for which a student can opt after the 10th standard in Merchant Navy. It includes:-

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

There are several criteria which an individual must follow after completing class 12th to be a part of the navy. First of all, the person should be an Indian citizen and be unmarried, which is applicable for both males and females. Few tests are conducted, and if a candidate passes the written examination, they have to go under a medical test.

There is a career path which an individual can follow after completing class 12th, and it starts by first doing pre-sea training for six months. Then, join the merchant navy as a trainee. After this, try to get promoted as an able body seaman. After this, try to get promoted as a bosun after clearing the COC exam. After this, you are all ready to become the ship's captain, then get promoted as a chief officer, then as a second officer and lastly, try and clear DG shipping exams and get promoted as a deck officer. 

How to Make a Career in Merchant Navy After 12th?

It is not difficult to make a career in the merchant navy after completing your education; class 12th. You can get a job in the navy by clearing some exams and getting some required percentages in this particular class. However, if you are thinking about a career in the merchant navy after graduating from high school, keep the following points in mind. , you must cope with various scenarios that are not suitable for everyone.

There are some eligibility criteria for enrolling in various merchant navy courses after completing your higher education. Starting with the first criteria, one should at least score 60% in class 12th after pursuing Physics, Mathematics or Chemistry. The candidate should be unmarried, applicable for both males and females. A candidate should be under the age group 17-25 years. One essential factor required in this field is physical fitness. A fitness certificate is necessary for a practitioner to enrol in this course. Eyesight should be regular, and situations of colour blindness are not accepted. Admission will be made based on the entrance exam, followed by a screening test and a written examination.

After clearing the test, there will be an interview round followed by a medical examination. The candidate must complete the ship training course. 

Merchant Navy Eligibility Requirements

An individual follows several criteria to join the merchant navy in India. The eligibility requirements are that an individual should pursue physics, maths or chemistry in class 12th and score at least 60% marks. A student can also pursue a career in the merchant navy after completing class 10th with 40% marks. English is a must language there. Therefore, a candidate should score 50% marks in English subjects. The relationship status is also a factor that matters in the merchant navy. Therefore your relationship status should be unmarried at joining, which is considerable for both men and women. If you are pursuing B.sc (Maritime Science, etc.) should have 6/6 for each eye; the eye vision matters in several subjects. If you pursue (B.tech) Marine Engineering, your eye vision can be plus or minus 2.5. Un-aided vision should be 6/12 in both eyes minimum or 6/9 in the good eye and 6/12 in the other eye. Any case of colour blindness is not accepted in the merchant navy. Your age must be 17 years while joining, and the applications are accepted until 22 years. You should have good physical fitness, which is essential for entering the merchant navy.

Merchant Navy Medical Requirements

There are several medical requirements for joining the merchant navy. First of all, physical fitness is a must factor for joining the merchant navy. The candidate's mental and physical health should be excellent and free from bodily effects. Let us discuss some main medical requirements required in the merchant navy-

  1. Constitution- No weak constitution should be seen in the candidate in any form, weight should be below 42 kg, and the maximum height should be 150 cm. The chest should be expanded at least 5 cm.
  2. Skeletal system- There should be no case of impairment of joints or muscles, no deformity of the chest or any joint, abnormal curvature of the spine, and any case of fracture with a pin inside will be considered a disqualification.
  3. Ear, Nose and Throat- There should be no damage in any three.

There are many more medical conditions like the lymphatic system, respiratory system, digestive system, skin, speech, nervous system etc., which should face no issues, which will be a barrier for you to joining the merchant navy.

Subjects & Syllabus in Merchant Navy

The merchant navy course is done after clearing an entrance examination, followed by a screening test and a medical test. A final written examination is also conducted for the candidates; those who earn the exam are called for an interview and later for a medical test.

A candidate can pursue a merchant navy course after class 10th and 12th. Below is the list of subjects one can choose after the same in both cases-

After class 12th

To join as a deck officer

  • B.Sc. Nautical Science
  • Diploma in Nautical Science (Leads to a BSc Nautical Science)

To join as an engineer

  • BE Petroleum Engineering
  • B.E. Marine Engineering
  • BE Naval Architecture, and Offshore Engineering
  • BE Harbour & Ocean Engineering
  • BE Mechanical Engineering
  • B.E. Civil Engineering
  • B.Sc. Marine Catering
  • BE Electrical & Electronics Engineering
  • Electro-Technical Officer Course

RELATED ARTICLES:

After class 10th

  • Near Coastal Voyage (NCV)
  • Commercial Diving
  • Diploma in Nautical Science (DNS)
  • GP Rating

Merchant Navy Colleges – Abroad

There are numerous institutes globally that provide the best education for merchant navy. They are-

Universities

Country

Massachusetts Maritime Academy

US

The University Of New Orleans

US

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy

US

University Of Galveston

US

Australian Maritime College

Australia

British Columbia Institute Of Technology's Pacific Marine Training Campus

Canada

Canadian Coast Guard College, Westmount, Nova Scotia

Canada

Hiroshima National College Of Maritime Technology

Japan

Aarhus School Of Marine And Technical Engineering

Denmark

Fleetwood Nautical College

UK

Merchant Navy Courses – Abroad

There are various courses taught Abroad for enrolling in the merchant navy. These courses are-

  • B.Tech Marine Engineering,
  • Diploma in Marine Engineering (DME),
  • Diploma in Nautical Science (DNS),
  • B.Tech Harbour & Ocean Engineering,
  • General Purpose Rating Course,
  • MBA Shipping Finance,
  • B.Sc. Nautical Science,
  • BE Marine Engineering,
  • BE Mechanical Engineering,
  • B.Tech Ship Building,
  • BE Harbour and Ocean,
  • Engineering Electro-Technical Officer Course,
  • BBA Logistics & Supply Chain Management,
  • Higher National Diploma (Marine Engineering),
  • Marine Engineering under Alternate Training Scheme MBA Shipping & Logistics Management,
  • BBA Shipping,
  • Higher National Diploma (Nautical Science),
  • ETO (Electro-Technical Officer),
  • B.Tech Naval Architecture and Offshore Engineering.
These are some courses studied Abroad to pursue merchant navy.

Jobs & Salary in Merchant Navy

Merchant Navy Profile

Qualification

Merchant Navy Salary 2020 (approx.)

G P Rating

Class 10

Rs. 25,000 to 60,000 per month

Trainee Cadet

Class 12 along with pre-sea Nautical Diploma

Rs. 25,000 to 85,000 per month

Deck Cadet

Class 12 along with pre-sea Nautical Diploma

Rs. 25,000 to 85,000 per month

3rd Officer/ Merchant navy 2nd officer salary in India

2nd Mate (FG) Certificate of Competency

Rs. 1,50,000 to 3,00,000 per month

Chief Officer

1st Mate (FG) Certificate of Competency

Rs. 4,00,000 to 6,00,000 per month

Merchant Navy Captain salary per month

Master (FG) Certificate of Competency

Rs. 8,65,000 to 20,00,000 per month

Still unclear about anything? Well, not to worry. Contact AECC and get your queries answered today! AECC is one of the world's leading educational consultancies with versatile expert professionals ready to help you with any queries you may have. Contact us so we can be of assistance to you in your journey to achieving your dream.

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