Merchant Navy Recruitment Process – Salary, Entrance Exams And Jobs

Being a part of the Merchant Navy comes with an adventurous life and handsome pay, which attracts youth to this important profession. A Merchant Navy Officer’s salary, however, depends on his or her rank, experience, and the type of ship they work on. It also depends on the company they work with.

Additionally, the merchant navy recruitment process usually differs depending on the country and its regulations. However, the basic process would be a minor variation of the one mentioned in this article.

The Internet is a vast resource of information regarding the Merchant Navy recruitment process. However, much of the information available online about the Merchant Navy is a myth.

Owing to the growing interest among enthusiastic candidates across maritime forums, we at Marine Insight have chosen to consolidate extensive relevant data to clarify all that there is to the merchant navy about the mode of entrance, salaries, jobs, etc.

Shipping is responsible for over 90% of the world’s economic trade. While each country and nationality has set standards regarding the various aspects mentioned, the basic framework relating to all of the above is similar, therefore aiding the reader in gauging the system in place regarding merchant shipping.

Factors which decide Merchant Navy Salary

Certain factors influence the salary of a Merchant Navy Officer. Let’s look at them in brief.

1. Rank in Merchant Navy: Merchant Navy Professionals get a salary according to their rank.
2. Experience & Skills: Merchant Navy Officers who have vast experience onboard different ships and an overall good record usually get higher compensation than freshers.
3. Type of Ship: The kind of vessel one works on also influences his/her pay. For example, Merchant Navy Officers who work on container ships and oil tankers are paid higher salaries than the ones who work on other kinds of ships.
4. Company: Salary in the merchant navy also depends on the company one works for. If you work for a big company, you will receive a higher salary and other benefits.

A career in the Merchant Navy is quite rewarding and comes with handsome salaries and other benefits. One also gets to travel and experience new cultures, which might be thrilling for some people. However, it has its own disadvantages, too, that must be considered before deciding to pursue a career in the Merchant Navy.

One must be ready to live away from family for months and be prepared to work for long hours since the workplace and home are not segregated when one is on a ship. It requires a great deal of mental and physical strength to work in the Merchant Navy.

Merchant Navy Salaries in India

In a country like India, a Merchant Navy Officer can earn around INR 37 Lakhs per annum. Freshers can expect an entry-level pay of 3 to 6 Lakhs per annum. With several years of experience, a merchant navy officer’s pay can go as high as a crore.

Merchant Navy Salary After Completing 12th

Once you finish high school in India, you can choose from several courses to get a decent merchant navy salary. Those who want to join the merchant navy after completing college are also trained in various tasks such as monitoring the environment, maintaining ships, upkeep of life-saving and firefighting equipment, and other responsibilities at the port.

However, those who want to join the Merchant Navy after class 12th need to fulfil the following requirements:

• Atleast 60% CGPA in Physics, Chemistry, English, and Maths.
• Age between 17 to 25 at the time of course commencement.
• Pre-Sea Nautical Diploma, which prepares one for a role as a Trainee Cadet and Deck Cadet.

Mentioned below are several degree courses one can opt for after completing class 12th to get a decent job in the merchant navy with a good salary package.

• BSc Nautical Science with a salary of around 7 LPA.
• BTech Marine Engineering with 7 LPA.
• BTech Naval Architecture and Offshore Engineering with a salary of 5 LPA.
• BTech Harbour & Ocean Engineering with a salary of 5 LPA.
• BBA Shipping with a salary of 2.2 LPA.
• Electro-Technical Officer Course with a salary of 14 LPA.
• Commercial Diving with a salary of 9 LPA.
• MBA in Shipping and Logistics Management with a salary of 6.5 LPA.

(The salary varies depending on the shipping company, and these are just approximate figures.)

Merchant Navy Officer Salary After 10th

Candidates between the ages of 17 and 25 who passed the 10th Class Board Examination with at least 45% can enrol in a GP Rating Course to join the Merchant Navy after the 10th. They have to fill out an application form for the course and take a test to gauge their physical and mental aptitude.

The General Purpose Rating is a six-month course that prepares candidates for the roles of engine rating and deck rating. After completing the course, candidates can work as engine or deck crew on a ship.

After serving for 3 years or 36 months, candidates can take the 2nd Mate exam to become officers.

As a GP Rating, you can expect to earn INR 25,000 to 30,000 per month or 6 to 7 LPA, which can increase after you take more exams and gain experience.

2nd Officer Salary in Merchant Navy 

The second Officer navigates the ship using instruments like GPS and Radar. He also monitors the daily weather conditions, maintains radio equipment, undertakes bridge watches, and is the ship’s medical officer.

Duty as 2nd Officer allows one to gain experience and professional growth, which also leads to an increase in salary.

Second officers earn the MCA, or Maritime and Coastguard Agency Certificate of Competency, after completing a training program, including attending a maritime college and gaining practical experience.

The starting salary for a 2nd officer is around 4 lakhs and increases with experience and exams passed.

A second Officer with 4 to 5 years of experience can expect an annual salary of 17 Lakhs, while someone with 6 to 10 years of experience can earn up to 36 Lakhs.

3rd Officer Salary in Merchant Navy

The salary of a 3rd Officer in the Merchant Navy depends on the shipping company he/she works for and also the type of ship. 

The third Officer supervises the crew members and ensures that they fulfil their duties. He/she also takes care of onboard machinery and equipment.

After the training is completed, they receive an MCA Certificate. They acquire further MCA qualifications and gain experience, which increases their salary.

A third Officer with up to 4 years of experience can earn up to 13 LPA. For those with 5-10 years of experience, the salary goes up to 21 LPA. The third officer with over 10 years of experience can earn 36 LPA.

Company-Wise Salaries for Merchant Navy In India

Several Reputed Merchant Navy Companies have offices in India and hire Indian Seafarers on their ships. This includes both freshers and experienced. Average salaries for some of the shipping companies functioning in India is mentioned below.

Merchant Navy Salary Structure

The merchant navy is a financially rewarding industry. Pay is commensurate with rank, experience, type of ship, and nationality. It is of an international standard and tax-free in most countries.

In India, a seafarer’s income is tax-free if his source of income is foreign and he has been out of the country for more than 182 days. To make the aspect of salaries understandable, it is important to know the ranks, which can be read at merchant navy ranks.

An indicative salary structure is listed for the deck officers:

Deck Cadet – USD 250-700 (the range is quite spread as it differs among companies. Average across most companies can be assumed to be around USD 500)
Third Officer – USD 2000-3900 (again, depends on the experience, type of ship and the company)
Second Officer – USD 3000-5000
Chief Officer – USD 7000-10000
Master Mariner/Captain – USD 9000-15000 or more

The type of ship is an important factor as the salary associated with it depends on the risks pertaining to the ship and her cargo. For example, officers onboard bulk carriers usually get paid a few hundred USD less than those on tankers.

More on the salaries can be read at – How Much Does Indian Seafarer Officer Earns?

Merchant Navy Entrance Exam

The merchant navy is a very professional and competitive line of work, wherein one’s acceptance and promotion depend on clearing government-regulated exams and performing onboard a vessel. For a detailed account of the process in India, read the information in the article on joining the merchant navy after class 12th in India, in which we have tried to address all concerns about the initial formalities.

Merchant navy education has been centralized in India, and all institutes are now under the purview of the Indian Maritime University. The UK has a central training board that controls all training-related guidelines—the Merchant Navy Training Board, regulated by the MCA. In India, admission into institutes is conducted via the IMU CET.

Merchant Navy Colleges & Course Fees

The list of approved institutes in India, as per the Directorate General of Shipping, can be checked at the official website. This list is regularly updated based on audits and checks of institutes for quality and standards.

Candidates are advised to always check this list for course approval before enrolling in any course. The official listing of nautical colleges in the UK includes a list of training institutes approved by the government.

The fee associated with training is institute-specific and also course-specific; a 3-year BSc Nautical Science residential course will be more than the 1-year Diploma Nautical Science course. For reference, let us take a premier institute in India – TS Chanakya:

One Year Diploma in Nautical Science (DNS) leading to B.Sc. (Nautical Science)
Total Duration: one year (2 Semesters) Pre-sea course
Total Fees: 2,20,000/-

B.Sc.(Nautical Science):
Total Duration: 3 years
Total Fees:
(i) For Male Cadets 2,20,000/- per annum
(ii) For Girl Cadets 1,40,500/- per annum

For UK nationals, the government will likely take care of the college fees. Courses conducted in India are partnered with some UK courses.

Generally, every maritime academy (private or governmental) has its own entrance exam. Application forms for the same can be downloaded from respective college websites.

Merchant Navy Jobs

To address this, it is important to understand the differences between the deck and engine departments and the career progression associated with them. As mentioned throughout myriad articles on MI, the state of employment in the seafaring aspect of the shipping industry depends on presiding economic factors, chief among them being demand and supply.

Shipping is a cyclical industry that has its bust and boom cycles. While there are hundreds of ships that shall always require seafarers to man them, merchant navy jobs also depend on an individual’s skills, experience, training and reliability.

Nationality is also a factor, as companies have a trend of hiring certain nationals on their fleet. Even though automation is bringing about changes in the concept of manning, shipping is a very basic industry for the world economy, and therefore, quality seafarers are always needed.

Merchant Navy Recruitment Process

In India, there are marine institutes directly run by shipping companies. Upon completion of the pre-sea course, a cadet (deck or engine) is placed into that company.

For example, Anglo-Eastern is one such company that has its own training institute to train cadets to become officers in the future. For such company-specific institutes, there is a process involved specific to an interview and written exam.

For cadets that get into institutes not affiliated with any shipping company, the onus of finding employment upon completion lies on the individual.

In the UK, cadets join their training institutes with sponsorship from a company that offers employment. In other words, they are employed by the company that has sponsored them to undergo training at a specified institute.

So, we have compiled a comprehensive article to answer all queries posted by readers and enthusiasts looking to join the shipping industry.

For more information, go through the various sections of the Marine Insight website to garner more information for further understanding.

Conclusion

Merchant Navy drives the world economy by transporting goods and people from one part of the world to another. Officers of the Merchant Navy Ships are responsible for the safety of the crew members and for maintaining and repairing the ship. They are responsible for safely delivering the cargo loaded on the vessel while adhering to the various international rules and regulations governing international shipping. Despite threats of piracy, armed robberies and maritime accidents, the seafarers work round the clock to fuel the global supply chain.

Frequently Asked Questions About Merchant Navy

1. What is the Merchant Navy salary per month?

Starting Pay in the Merchant Navy in India is between INR 4.80 and 6 LPA, or INR 40,000 and 50,000 per month. The average monthly salary of an experienced merchant navy officer with over 10 years of experience is INR 1.64 lakh.

2. Is Merchant Navy a Permanent Job?

In the Merchant Navy, people usually work under contractual agreements, and the nature of employment can be contractual or permanent. It depends on whether a merchant navy officer gets a salary for a specific contract or a year-round payment.

3. What is the salary of a chef in Merchant Navy?

A Merchant Navy Chef’s salary in India is around INR 8 to 10 Lakhs for those with 7 to 26 years of experience in reputed shipping companies.

4. What is the salary of the 2nd Officer in Merchant Navy?

The starting salary for a second officer in India is around 4 lakhs, and it increases with experience and exams passed.

A second Officer in Merchant Navy with 4 to 5 years of experience can expect an annual salary of 17 Lakhs, while someone with 6 to 10 years of experience can earn up to 36 Lakhs.

5. Is Merchant Navy job difficult?

A career in the Merchant Navy is rewarding and comes with handsome salaries and other benefits. However, one must be ready to live away from family for months and work for long hours since the workplace and home are not segregated when one is on a ship. Working in the Merchant Navy requires a great deal of mental and physical strength.

• 10 Reasons Why a Career in Merchant Navy is Unlike Any Other
• Duties of 3rd Officer in Merchant Navy
• A Guide To Merchant Navy Uniform
• Appearing For Merchant Navy Competency Examination Abroad – UK
• Physical Fitness and Medical Requirements to Join Merchant Navy
• Appearing For Merchant Navy Competency Examination Abroad – Australia
• Appearing For Merchant Navy Competency Examination Abroad – New Zealand & Singapore

About Author

Zahra is an alumna of Miranda House, University of Delhi. She is an avid writer, possessing immaculate research and editing skills. Author of several academic papers, she has also worked as a freelance writer, producing many technical, creative and marketing pieces. A true aesthete at heart, she loves books a little more than anything else.

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