10 Best Companies For Sponsorship In the Merchant Navy

Many shipping companies offer merchant navy sponsorship, which guarantees a job and onboard training after a candidate completes their academic and pre-sea training. This is a global practice, though the exact processes and companies involved can vary by country.

Candidates usually apply to a shipping company directly for sponsorship and have to go through a selection process which might include written exams, psychometric tests, medical examination and interviews. Those who pass all the stages receive a sponsorship letter from the shipping company, which is a commitment to placement after their training.

It is a misconception that merchant navy sponsorship means a fee waiver. However, it only guarantees a job. The cost of on-board training is often included in the academic fees of the sponsored pre-sea course.

While many Indian companies sponsor candidates and many international students come to India for the same, giants like Maersk, Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM), and MSC also offer sponsorship programs.

Read along to know more about the best companies for merchant navy sponsorship.

1. Maersk’s Merchant Navy Sponsorship

The shipping company’s sponsorship programs focus on maritime and management trainee roles, including a Women Seafarers Cadet program in collaboration with AMET University in India, designed to increase the number of women cadets in the maritime industry. It aims to provide support to female students.

Maersk has a Center of Excellence at AMET University and an agreement to recruit Deck and Engine Cadets exclusively from this institution. Institutes such as the Anglo Maritime Academy offer preparation courses to help aspiring cadets with the sponsorship interview process.

The company also offers internships and apprenticeships for students, though direct sponsorship for Indian cadets has been stopped as the company is now tying with institutions like AMET for the same.

There is also a Management Trainee Program for graduates that begins with submitting a CV and video, followed by psychometric tests and an assessment day with a panel interview.

Candidates can look into the admission requirements for the Maersk-AMET University Center of Excellence for direct recruitment.

2. MSC Sponsorship

Mediterranean Shipping Company offers DNS or Diploma in Nautical Science and B.Tech sponsorships for aspiring mariners. A candidate should be between 17 to 19 years old to apply for sponsorship.

For 12th class students, atleast 65% in Physics, Chemistry and Maths is mandatory. For B.Sc graduates, a minimum of 60% marks is needed, and for B.Tech students, atleast 55% is required. Also, you need 50% marks in English in either Class 10th, 12th or degree exam.

Students must pass the Indian Maritime University Common Entrance Test (IMUCET).

They must be physically fit and meet the vision standards set by the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS).

There should be no colour blindness, and vision should be 6/6 in both eyes (unaided). In the worst case, one eye can be 6/9, provided the other is 6/6.

Lastly, a valid passport is mandatory at the time of admission.

3. Great Eastern Shipping Company (GE Shipping)

This Indian Company transports liquid, gas and solid bulk products and is a major private player in the country.

It offers sponsorship through its institute, the Great Eastern Institute of Maritime Studies, for programs such as the Diploma in Nautical Science and Graduate Marine Engineering.

Candidates have to apply online, clear the company’s exams and meet specific eligibility criteria.

Applicants have to clear the written exam, interviews and medical exam. Once sponsored, candidates complete a program at GEIMS or an affiliated institute, followed by on-ship training.

To be eligible for the DNS or Diploma in Nautical Science, students must pass their 10 plus 2 with atleast 60% in Physics, Chemistry and Maths with atleast 50% in English in 10th or 12th standard.

Forms are available online all year-round, and two batches are offered in August and February.

For Graduate Marine Engineering (GME), graduation with a BE/B. Tech in Mechanical Engineering or related field with at least 55% aggregate marks and 55% in English at the 10th, 12th or degree level is required.

Courses like GP Rating and ETO are also offered, though DNS and GME are the most popular sponsorship options.

4. Synergy Ship Management

The company offers sponsorships for DNS, Deck and Engine categories along with ETOs.

For DNS, candidates must not be over 35 years of age at the time of course commencement. They should have 60% in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics in Class XII, along with an overall aggregate of 60%. A minimum of 50% in English in Class X or XII is also necessary.

Candidates can apply through the official Synergy Marine Group website. But first, candidates must apply to the Indian Maritime University Common Entrance Test (IMU-CET) and aim for a rank under 4,000.

Register and take the Synergy entrance exam, which is a computer-based multiple-choice question exam with questions on Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, English, and Aptitude.

Selected candidates are invited for an interview to either Chennai, Kochi, Gurugram, or Mumbai. The last stage is medical and psychometric tests.

Once you receive the sponsorship letter, candidates submit the required documents, migration certificates, medical reports, passport, etc.

5. Anglo-Eastern Shipping Company

The company offers sponsorship for DNS and other courses through its Anglo-Eastern Maritime Academy.

Candidates can apply for the desired course on the website of AEMA and also pass the Indian Maritime University (IMU) CET.

Candidates will be invited to the selection test, which involves a written test, psychometric evaluation and an interview.

After passing all the stages, successful candidates receive the sponsorship letter from the company, which guarantees a position on a ship managed by Anglo-Eastern after completing the pre-sea training at AEMA.

6. Torm Shipping

Torm is one of the best companies giving sponsorship in the merchant navy. To secure a sponsorship, a candidate has to apply to an approved maritime institute like Tolani Maritime Institute and meet the eligibility criteria.

Students must be between 17 and 21 years old and must have secured atleast 65% in Physics and Maths and 60% in English in their Class 12 exams from a recognised board (NIOS and improvement candidates are often ineligible).

They must be physically and mentally fit, with 6/6 vision in each eye and no colour blindness.

Students must clear IMU-CET and then apply to Torm either through their website or via the institutes where they recruit.

After clearing the tests, which include a written exam, psychometric test and an interview, they have to undergo a medical exam by TORM’s approved doctor.

7. Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM)

To be eligible for BSM sponsorship, candidates must have passed class 12th with atleast 65% in English and PCM and a degree or diploma with an aggregate of more than 60% in either Mechanical, Electrical or Electronics Engineering and evaluation of the PCM scores, assessment of CV and a company interview. Those who clear all the stages will be selected and receive a sponsorship letter.

A written exam conducted by HIMT is a part of the process, and lastly, the candidates have to submit all necessary documents.

The sponsorship includes approval for pre-sea training, onboard ship training and placement after completion of the DNS Course.

8. Wallem Shipping

Wallem Shipping offers sponsorship for the Graduate Marine Engineering (GME) course, B.Sc. Nautical Science, and others like the Diploma in Nautical Science (DNS), Electrical Technical Officer (ETO) courses, in partnership with maritime training institutes.

Candidates should have secured atleast 60% aggregate in a degree like Mechanical or Marine Engineering, or in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) for Nautical Science.

A specific focus on Mechanical Engineering is sometimes needed for GME programs.

Clearing the Indian Maritime University (IMU) Combined Entrance Test (CET) is mandatory for most sponsored programs.

Candidates must undergo a medical exam and pass their psychometric and aptitude tests. The minimum age limit for some courses is 17.

For courses like Graduate Marine Engineering (GME), the company partners with institutes like the HIMT College.

9. Nortrans Maritime Services

The company’s sponsorship criteria for its Deck Cadet Program for Valles Steamship (Canada) Ltd. includes atleast 60% in PCM in 12th standard and 50% in English in either 10th or 12th class.

Candidates must pass the Indian Maritime University Common Entrance Test (IMU-CET), which is a prerequisite for admission to the one-year Diploma in Nautical Science (DNS) program.

Candidates must not be more than 20 years old as of August 1 of the application year.

6/6 vision is required, and no colour blindness is permitted.

Apart from IMU-CET, candidates must pass the company’s own written test, psychometric evaluation, and interview.

10. Shell International Shipping Services (SISS)

Shell offers sponsorship for Deck, Engine and ETO Cadets. For this, candidates should visit the website’s career section and find the Apply Now link for the cadet position they want to apply for and follow the instructions mentioned.

For future opportunities, candidates can register for vacancy alerts on the career page.

To be eligible for sponsorship, one must have a background in Maths, Physics at A-level or equivalent.

A seafarer’s medical and eyesight test certificate is needed, and one also has to meet the company’s standards.

The process involves passing the company’s written test, interview and medical exam before a sponsorship letter is issued to them.

Sponsorship from Shell provides opportunities for cadetships, which are company-sponsored training programs. One can benefit from a well-established training scheme and opportunities for career progression within the company.

Shell also has a broad range of career opportunities for graduates and experienced seafarers in maritime and other fields.

You might also like to read-

• How Females Can Join Merchant Navy ?
• What Is GP Rating In Merchant Navy?
• 4 Ways To Become A Deck Officer in Merchant Navy
• Is It Possible to Join Merchant Navy In India After 10th?

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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