Career Options & Prospects in Merchant Navy

Career Options

• Captain of the ship
• Navigating Officers – Chief Officer, 2nd Officer, 3rd Officer
• Marine Engineers – Chief Engineer, 2nd Engineer, 3rd Engineer, 4th Engineer
• Deck Cadets
• Radio Officers
• Electrical officers

Career Prospects
Opportunities exist in navigation, engineering and catering & hospitality for enthusiastic and hard working people. Once you are qualified you will be rewarded with generous pay and leave periods. There are numerous shipping companies in the government and private sector which regularly hire qualified officers in the deck, engine and service departments. Foreign shipping companies offer particularly lucrative placements. The Government of India (Ministry of Surface Transport) itself looks after the training needs and conducts competency exam through the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS). A career in merchant navy offers bright prospects to navigating officers and marine engineers. Opportunities for promotions are dependent on clearing the requisite competency exams conducted by the Ministry of Surface Transport.


Payoff

The starting salary varies between Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000 a month. Officers get a variety of perks like free food, accommodation, paid leave, two-way free passage and facilities for families. In other words, the salary can be saved totally while one is on ship. Other perquisites include bonus, holiday travel and other annual benefits. Foreign companies pay even higher with a starting salary of $ 1,500 to $ 2,500. Since the job involves travelling abroad for extended periods, one can take advantage of becoming an NRI and thus earn tax-free income.

The entry level for a fresh Marine Engineer (ME) is at the rank of fifth engineer or junior engineer. Promotions depend on examinations and a steady performance. The fourth engineer should complete18 months of sea-time and clear the examination (conducted by Marine Mercantile Department, Government of India) to be promoted to the rank of third engineer. At each stage, exams have to be cleared and after many years of experience, one may hope to become the chief engineer, the highest rank that an ME can reach. At this level, salary may reach Rs 1.50 lakh per month. Some competent officers reach this stage by their mid-30s. The chances of promotions are quite high, though it needs to be clarified here that there are no higher positions after becoming the captain of a ship.