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Merchant navy is a vital industry that plays a critical role in global trade and commerce, responsible for transporting goods and cargo across the world’s oceans and seas. It offers a range of exciting and rewarding career opportunities, from navigating ships to managing complex machinery and equipment.
Merchant Navy is different from the Navy in the sense that it offers commercial services, as opposed to the navy which is largely involved in the defense of a nation.
For those who are interested in a career at sea, the merchant navy offers a unique and exciting opportunity to work in an adventurous and challenging environment. From navigating the seas to managing complex machinery and equipment, the life of a merchant navy officer can be both rewarding and challenging.
If you are a recent high school graduate or a seasoned professional looking for a change, the merchant navy offers a range of career paths that can take you around the world and provide you with skills and experiences that will last a lifetime.
There are many job opportunities in the merchant navy industry. Candidates who have completed a basic course in the merchant navy can easily find jobs through various consultants and placement agencies.
The merchant navy fleet consists of cargo ships, container ships, barge-carrying ships, tankers, bulk carriers, refrigerated ships, passenger ships, and roll-off/roll-on ships. Cargo ships typically have more job openings than the other types of ships.
There are many companies that require trained individuals to operate and maintain their merchant ships. Some of these companies include:
India also has its share of shipping companies, such as:
Trained people are required for the three main departments of the ship: the deck department, the engine department, and the service department.
Deck department: The deck department is in charge of the ship’s safety and navigation. The Captain, Chief Officer, Second Officer, Third Officer, and Deck Cadet are the officials in charge of the deck. The deck department is in charge of chart upkeep, assuring safe navigation through various waters, and managing cargo operations.
Engineering department: The engineering department is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the ship’s engines and machinery. The Chief Engineer, Second Engineer, Third Engineer, Fourth Engineer, and Engine Cadet are the officers in the engineering division. The engineering department is responsible for ensuring that the ship’s engines and machinery are in good working order, overseeing maintenance and repairs, and ensuring that the ship’s fuel and water systems are properly maintained.
Catering department: The catering department is responsible for providing food and beverages to the crew and passengers. The officers in the catering department include the Chief Steward, Assistant Steward, and Steward. The catering department is responsible for preparing meals, serving food and beverages, and ensuring that the kitchen and dining areas are kept clean and hygienic.
Radio department: The radio department is responsible for the ship’s communication systems, including radio and satellite communication. The officials in the radio section are the Radio Officer and the Electronic Officer. The radio department is in charge of keeping radio logs current, making sure the ship is always in contact with other ships and land-based facilities, and making sure the communication systems on board are in good working order.
Medical department: The crew and passengers’ medical needs are handled by the medical department. The officers in the medical department include the Ship’s Doctor and the Ship’s Nurse. In addition to responding to medical emergencies and providing routine medical care, the medical department is in charge of making sure the ship has enough medical supplies and technology.
Safety department: The safety of the ship, crew, and passengers is the responsibility of the safety department. The officers in the safety department include the Safety Officer and the Environmental Officer. The safety department is in charge of running safety drills, seeing to it that the ship abides by safety laws, and seeing to it that the crew is instructed in safety practices.
|
Job Profile |
Salary Per Month |
|
Trainee Cadet |
INR 10.20 LPA |
|
Deck Cadet |
INR 14 LPA |
|
Chief Officer |
INR 72 LPA |
|
Captain |
INR 2.4 Crore |
|
Engineer |
INR 50 LPA |
|
Catering & Hospitality Crew |
INR 24 LPA |
|
Experience |
Average Annual Salary (INR) |
|
0-4 years |
17 L |
|
5-10 years |
36 L |
|
Experience |
Average Annual Salary (INR) |
|
0-4 years |
13 L |
|
5-10 years |
21 L |
|
>10 years |
36 L |
Pros:
1. An Early Financial Independence:
2. Long Vacations:
3. Enhanced Discipline and Professionalism:
4. Tax-free Income:
5. Adventure and Travel Opportunities:
6. Uniform and Respect:
7. Temporary Seniors and Colleagues:
Cons:
1. Away From Home:
2. No Immediate Medical Help:
3. Never Ending Exams:
4. Social Life:
5. Piracy:
:
1. An Early Financial Independence:
Young seafarers are paid quite well in US dollars which are comparatively higher than their fellows onshore in other industries. Most shipping companies offer excellent packages, incentives, and benefits right from the start of your career that is comparable to or superior to any other industry in the world. The cost of joining, travel and flights at the time of sign-on and sign-off is paid by the company itself, apart from the high income which you get in Merchant Navy. Hence young seafarers get early financial independence in Merchant Navy.
2. Long Vacations:
Since the profession of the Merchant Navy requires long working hours, the vacations offered to the professionals of the Merchant Navy are equally compensatory. Long vacations in Merchant Navy is definitely a privilege for seafarers. They themselves decide their availability for the next contract. This allows seafarers to enjoy the best of both worlds: land and water. A vacation of more than 3-4 months is definitely long enough to relax and indulge in all your passions, isn’t it? The vacation a sailor gets is in its purest form, there is absolutely no job stress while a sailor is at home and you can fully enjoy time with his family or pursue his/her passion. The people with enthusiasm to work hard and a will to live well should look for a career in the Merchantile Marine. It would be satisfying without the person experiencing any remorse in their chosen profession.
3. Enhanced Discipline and Professionalism:
A profession like a Merchant Navy gets you to work with different nationalities onboard which enhances the sense of adaptability and professionalism in seafarers. This also helps the individual understand and function better as a team player while learning the importance of different cultures and traditions. Merchant mariners must have good communication skills, along with the observance and maintenance of a high level of discipline. While working onboard, a person develops professionally and personally. This professionalism goes hand in hand with great responsibility towards the ship and its crew.
4. Tax-free Income:
A sailor’s income is taxed on the basis of his state of residence.
1. Resident Seafarers Income Tax:
The salary of resident seafarers or Merchant Marine personnel are taxed under the Income Tax Act of India. There are no income tax exemptions for seafarers.
2. Non-resident seafarers income tax (NRI status):
If a ship’s crew member works outside India for 183 days or more during the tax year according to his CDC (Continuous Discharge Certificate) or passport, his residency status will change to a non-resident sailor. The foreign salary of a non-resident seafarer/Merchant Marine personnel is not taxable in India. Hence Indian seafarers can have a tax-free income in Merchant Navy.
5. Adventure and Travel Opportunities:
This job is very adventurous since you can travel to different parts of the world. You could travel to almost any corner of the world without having to pay money out of your pocket. Other routine jobs in different sectors require people to work hard with very little time to roam freely around the world.
People who like nine to five jobs shouldn’t join the Merchant Navy. Commercial mariners can spend days exploring and seeing magnificent ocean views that soothing like none other. People spend hundreds of thousands of rupees on cruises to travel and you would do it for free because of your work profile.
6. Uniform and Respect:
It takes years of discipline, hard work, dedication, and work ethics for a maritime professional to become worthy of wearing the prestigious Merchant Navy uniform. These stylish uniforms not only fascinate the industry, but also those who have no idea what defines these maritime professionals. For some, the uniform is not just two pieces of clothing, but an experience, an achievement, and an attachment to an industry that made them what they are today. It is true that many young people dream of naval uniforms. However, you have to work hard to earn this privilege. Thus a uniformed job like the merchant navy helps you earn pride and dignity.
7. Temporary Seniors and Colleagues:
In a profession like Merchant Navy, where you work on a contractual basis, you work with different seniors in every contract. For deck crew, their captain would not be their permanent boss. Similarly, for the engine crew, their chief engineer would change in every contract or mid-sail. Here, in Merchant Navy you just have to bear a bad boss for a contract, chances are you won’t have to work under the same seniors again. On the other hand, if you are sailing with a good Chief Engineer or a Captain, unfortunately, he will also change in a few months.
:1. Away From Home:
We have to agree with the fact that long vacations are possible and useful for seafarers. However, the need of spending months onboard a vessel away from your own family is not at all attractive! A normal office job gives you the luxury of coming home every night, spending every day with your family and friends, etc. This is not possible in the case of Merchant Mariners! With increased connectivity and family admission on different company ships, but most of the time you may not be lucky enough. Being a seafarer and accepting the hardships may make you a little stronger.
2. No Immediate Medical Help:
Imagine that you are in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, with no nearby port or country, and when there is a serious injury an investigation on medical care is given, frankly, first aid at an advanced level, but if the victim has an urgent need for hospitalization, this is not possible. Many deaths happen, which makes it a dangerous profession. Therefore companies try to maintain a high level of safety standards on board. Very few top-notch companies can provide medical extraction to injured personnel if in case the situation arises.
3. Never Ending Exams:
Regardless of the sequence selected, the Presea training and associated exams are not a child’s play. As in any other profession, a high level of commitment is required here. After successfully completing their cadetship and onboard training, individuals are required to pass the Certificate of Competency (COC) exams held by the Mercantile Marine Department (MMD). This requires careful preparation and an excellent level of theoretical and practical knowledge. Don’t think that after securing a placement or a job onboard, you would be given timely promotions. Cadetship then comes studies and after that COC. It’s like sea experience, then exams, then again experience, and then exams, this goes on and on. Generally, people get promoted to the rank of captain or chief engineer in more or less than 12 to 15 years.
4. Social Life:
One of the few disadvantages of Merchant Marine would be staying away from loved ones for a long period of time. It is definitely difficult and above all, it puts people at crossroads where it becomes really difficult to manage a career with a long-distance relationship. Long-distance relationships are something that every mariner should know they would be going through. Onboard you don’t have your partners or family members to celebrate, cry or share feelings with. Although top companies provide the crew with internet facilities to connect with their families but still, the social life in Merchant Navy is poor.
5. Piracy:
Piracy is actually a serious threat and pirates are a problem, especially when navigating in areas where piracy is highest. Generally, armed guards are present on ships today when ships pass through these areas or proper measures are taken to counter-piracy. While the number of piracy attacks has decreased along the Somalian coast, piracy incidents have increased significantly along the West African coast. As maritime organizations continue to introduce new regulations and guidelines to protect ships from pirates, seafarers must also be extremely careful and vigilant when their ship enters a piracy-sensitive area. India’s oldest Merchant Marine officers union has seen an abrupt increase of around 26 percent in Maritime Piracy due to the covid 19 pandemic all around the world.
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