Merchant Navy is a specialised sector engaged in commercial activities involving the seaborne transportation of goods and people. It is also called Merchant Marine in a few countries.
Merchant Navy refers to a fleet of ships not used for military or defence purposes but solely for commercial purposes. These vessels and their crew are said to be a part of the nation’s commercial shipping sector.
The crew members of these vessels are called sailors, mariners, seamen or seafarers.
What is the Work of the Merchant Navy?
The Merchant Navy transports commodities or cargo from one destination to another overseas. The cargo can be unpackaged, packed, or containerised. Liquids and gaseous substances are transported in merchant navy ships designed for this specific cargo.
The Merchant Navy is the lifeblood of the global supply chain. It is also the most important component of the global economy, as 95% of goods are transported to different parts of the world, including the most far-flung regions, using ships.
Purpose of Merchant Navy
We cannot imagine a modern world without a merchant navy. Without ships, oil wouldn’t reach refineries, and petrol pumps would shut down.
Farmers would face loss as they would not get fertilisers or pesticides, or worse, they would not be able to sell their crops and earn their livelihood, and we would not have fruits and vegetables.
Markets would crash, as industrialists or business owners would not be able to sell their produce to overseas markets. If ships did not transport goods like food, fuel, clothes, footwear, etc., we would return to living like the Stone Age.
Hence, the Merchant Navy, comprising civilian ships and seafarers, is the backbone of international maritime trade. It connects nations and economies and propels global economic progress.
Importance of Merchant Navy
The Merchant Navy is the most essential component of the worldwide supply chain since it transports fruits, vegetables, grains, machines, and other goods. Without it, the existence of an advanced and modern civilisation would be impossible.
It contributes to a nation’s GDP, and maritime trade is one of the biggest sources of income for many nations with enormous coastlines. Egypt, for example, earns through the Suez Canal operations.
Merchant Navy Ships also contribute to other sectors besides seaborne transportation. They enable environmental research, surveys of water bodies, salvage of property lost at sea, and extraction of oil and gas from the seabed, among other things.
Should you choose a career in the Merchant Navy?
You should know what it takes if you are a young adult interested in joining the Merchant Navy. Joining a merchant navy requires determination, hard work and a presence of mind. You must be ready to leave your family for months and sail on ships.
It is nothing like a typical 9 to 5 job, and the responsibilities that come with it are massive since your safety and the safety of your vessel depend on you. However, it is an extremely respectable profession, quite demanding, but the remuneration is the best compared to any top profession.
Read along to learn more about career options in the Merchant Navy and the skills needed to join it.
Departments in the Merchant Navy
Firstly, you need to decide which department you want to be a part of and prepare accordingly. There is a navigation department, an engine department and a rating department.
To be a part of the Navigation Department, opt for a DNS or Diploma in Nautical Science or a B.SC in Nautical Science. In this case, you would start as a deck cadet and can even become a captain after 10-12 years.
Ships need engineers to run their engines; you can join the Engine Department by doing a B.Tech in Marine Engineering, a Graduate degree in Marine Engineering, or a Diploma in the same field.
Lastly, though the Rating Department doesn’t offer any officer positions, it is crucial and plays a significant role onboard a vessel. If you want to be in this department, you can opt for a GP Rating after the 12th class or even the 10th standard.
Deck Department
Captain: A ship’s captain handles the overall functioning of the vessel they command. It takes 10-12 years to become a captain in the Merchant Navy as it requires a lot of experience and expertise.
Chief Officer: The chief officer handles cargo operations and manages the deck crew. They also oversee safety and firefighting operations and environmental protection and serve as the ship’s security officer. Additionally, they act as a bridge watchkeeper when needed.
2nd Officer: They act as the ship’s navigator and medical officer in case of an emergency. He is also the bridge watchkeeper and communication officer.
3rd Officer: They oversee the firefighting equipment and other lifesaving gear. Sometimes, the third officer is called the safety officer and acts as the bridge watchkeeper.
Deck Cadet: They work under the supervision of the chief officer and help him fulfil all his tasks, including cargo operations, navigation watch, mooring, etc.
Apart from officer ranks, each department also has ratings, also called deck ratings. Their ranking is as follows:
Bosun (head of the rating staff)
Welder/Fitter (this rank renders his services to both the deck and engine department)
Able-Bodied Seaman (AB)
Ordinary Seaman (OS)
Trainee OS
Engine Department
Chief Engineer: The Chief Engineer is responsible for the safe and effective functioning of the engine department.
2nd Engineer: The 2nd Engineer oversees daily operations and maintenance of all onboard machinery, including firefighting equipment and ballast system.
3rd Engineer: The 3rd Engineer supports the 2nd Engineer and is responsible for boilers, fuel, auxiliary engines, and feed systems, as well as maintaining sea and port watchkeeping, engine logbook, and engineering records.
4th Engineer: They handle the purifier, compressor, and onboard machinery other than the main engine, auxiliary engine, and boilers.
5th Engineer: The 5th Engineer is a trainee who works under the supervision of the 2nd Engineer and assists all his seniors in their tasks. He also helps the 2nd Engineer in his night rounds.
Like the deck department, the engine department also has ratings, including-
Fitter
Motorman
Wiper
Trainee Fitter / Trainee Wiper
Then, there is the catering department or the Saloon department, which consists of
Chief Cook
Trainee Cook
Steward
Eligibility Criteria to be a part of the Merchant Navy
Education: The minimum requirement is a high school diploma or equivalent in physics, maths, and English. A nautical science diploma or marine engineering degree is needed for officer ranks.
Age: The minimum age to join the Merchant Navy is 17 or 18. However, the age varies from company to company and even country.
Training: Candidates must undertake basic training courses before joining the Merchant Navy. These short courses are approved by the respective country’s maritime authority and cover basic firefighting onboard ships, first aid, basic safety measures, and other skills.
Medical: Candidates must be physically fit and meet the fitness standards, especially eyesight requirements. They must undergo a thorough medical checkup from an approved doctor.
Legal criteria: There may be some nationality or legal requirements depending on the shipping company and the country from which the seafarer hails. A few companies require seafarers to have a passport from a particular country or the lawful right to work there.
Language: Seafarers must be proficient in spoken and written English since it is the most widely spoken language in the world.
Personality: Seafarers are often judged based on their soft skills, such as communication, persuasion, teamwork, coordination, leadership, and problem-solving.
Security: In a few cases, security clearance might be needed; however, it depends on the kind of goods shipped or the area of operations.
Advantages of being in the Merchant Navy
Handsome Salary: Merchant Navy is one of the few jobs that offer a good salary. It often starts at INR 30,000 and can increase to INR 10,00,000 monthly.
Travel and Work Together: The Merchant Navy allows one to work and travel simultaneously.
Meet new people: The Merchant Navy allows you to meet new people. You will work with new colleagues on different vessels, which brings new challenges, responsibilities, and adventures.
Dynamic: Working in the Merchant Navy is unlike the typical 9-to-5 job, where everything is predictable.
Scope of Merchant Navy
As consumerism increases in society, so does the import and export of goods via ships driven by seafarers. This proves there is a lot of scope in the Merchant Navy, and many opportunities lie for experienced and qualified professionals.
Even the starting salaries for fresh graduates are good compared to other professions. Around a 35% increase was recorded in the employment of Indian sailors onboard Indian and international ships. Indians are mostly recruited to become nautical officers, engineers and ratings.
According to statistics from the Indian Ministry of Shipping website, the number of sailors working on Indian flag ships rose from 22,103 in 2017 to 27,364 in 2018. The employment number also increased on foreign vessels from 60,195 to 72,328 in 2018.
India has several maritime institutes that provide quality education and training to aspiring seafarers. Earlier, classroom training was diligently imparted; however, onboard ship training could not be offered. Then, the shipping ministry made it compulsory for these institutions to arrange onboard ship training. Hence, India produces one of the largest numbers of skilled seafarers each year.
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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