Government Merchant Navy Jobs: In India, Top Recruiters, Average Salary, For Freshers, Vacancy

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Merchant navy officers undertake the vital responsibility of ensuring the smooth flow of goods and resources across the seas. They form the backbone of international trade, upholding safety standards and protecting against maritime threats. In terms of total DWT, India is currently ranked 15th and supplies 12.8% of merchant navy officers which is the highest of any country.

The average salary of a merchant navy officer working in The Shipping Corporation of India Ltd. (SCI) is INR 4 LPA. There is a difference in salaries based on the officer ranks and profile. A marine engineer can earn up to INR 7.95 LPA in SCI while the salary of a deck cadet is INR 2.18 LPA.

In recent years, the government has recognised the role of the merchant navy in the country’s infrastructure. As a result, a host of exciting and well-paying opportunities regularly emerge from the SCI, the government’s sole company in the maritime sector. The sections below discuss the various job opportunities for merchant navy officers along with their average salaries for various specialisations and types.

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How to Join Merchant Navy after 12th	Merchant Navy Jobs

Table of Contents

Who are Merchant Navy Officers
Jobs for Merchant Navy Officers
Government Jobs for Merchant Navy Officers

3.1 Experience Wise

3.2 Qualification Wise

3.3 City Wise

3.4 Sector Wise

Govt Merchant Navy Officers Jobs
Top Recruiters
Govt Jobs for Merchant Navy Officers: FAQs

Who are Merchant Navy Officers

Merchant navy officers are trained and certified professionals who ensure merchant and passenger vessels are operated safely and efficiently. They work in the maritime industry and are typically divided into two main categories - deck and engineering officers. They play a vital role in the global transportation of goods, passengers and energy resources by sea and also ensure compliance with international maritime regulations.

Merchant navy officers can be categorised into different types based on their ranks. A captain is the head of the vessel and is responsible for the overall operation and safety, a chief officer takes up the master position in the absence of a captain, a chief engineer checks auxiliary machinery and the performance of the main propulsion system and several more based on their roles and duties.

Jobs for Merchant Navy Officers

The basic job of a merchant navy officer is to ensure the safe and efficient operation of merchant vessels. There are various ranks and responsibilities within the merchant navy officer profile, with primary duties consisting of navigation, watchkeeping, cargo operations, maintenance and record keeping.

Tabulated below is the job description of merchant navy officers along with their average salaries for each specialisation.

Merchant Navy Officer Profile	Job description	Average Annual Salary (INR)
Captain	Responsible for the overall operation and safety of the ship. The ship sails under a set of rules and regulations under his guidance. The captain is also responsible for any problem that occurs on the ship.	35 L
Chief Officer/First Mate	Takes up the master position in the absence of a captain. The duties of a Chief Officer include training deck cadets, looking after fire systems, security, accommodation and onshore operations like cargo gearing and berthing.	33.4 L
Second Officer/Second Mate	Responsible for the updation and publication of charts. Also works as a medical officer on the vessel.	13.8 L
Third Officer/Third Mate	Regulation of bond store onboard and the maintenance of port documents required by the master are the duties of a Third Officer. Also looks after the Fire Fighting Appliances (FFA) and Life-Saving Appliances (LSA).	8 L
Deck Cadet	New professionals on board looking to learn so that they can pass exams and become an officer in the future. They assist OOW in their learning.	7.79 L
Bosun	Works with Chief Mate and is involved in the rating system on the deck.	8 L
Able Seaman	Assists the deck department as he has the merchant mariner’s document.	4 L
Ordinary Seaman (OS)	Tasks performed include cleaning the deck, scaling, buffing, painting, wiring, rigging, splicing wire, overhauling and cargo operations.	2 L
Trainee Ordinary Seaman	Deck Cadet involved in rating works.	5 L
Chief Engineer	Keep a check on the pollution caused by the ship, check auxiliary machinery and the performance of the main propulsion system.	35 L
Second Engineer	Trains cadets with ship machines, troubleshoots engine room problems, daytime watches and looks after documents and lamination works.	17.5 L
Third Engineer	Daily checking of machines and proper working of the fire room, boiler and auxiliary machines are the main duties. Also looks after the pump lines, reefer and ship spares and stores.	8 L - 13.9 L
Fourth Engineer	Manages the working of machines in the engine room. Works on the ship’s purifiers and compressors and manages the main propulsion system and water system.	6 L - 10.1 L
Fifth Engineer/Engine Cadet	Does engine round duties and documentation work. Change oil filters and workshop tools and assemble and clean the main air compressor, air purifier and sewage plant.	4.5 L
Electrical Officer/ETO	The electrical and technical aspects of the ships are looked after by an ETO.	19 L
Fitter	Ensure all the watercraft components and materials are fitted properly.	3.9 L
Motorman/Oiler	OIl machines for proper and efficient working Also involved in cleaning the engine room and supporting duty engineers on daily rounds.	3.10 L
Wiper	Cleaning of machinery and engine areas is the duty of a wiper.	3 L - 4.08 L

Merchant Navy Government Jobs

Jobs in the government sector offer merchant navy officers stable and well-compensated career opportunities within the maritime section. These jobs come with attractive benefits, job security and career advancement opportunities, making them a sought-after choice for those seeking a rewarding and stable maritime career.

Some of the top government jobs for merchant navy officers across various parameters along with their average salaries are discussed below.

Experience Wise

A significant increase is seen in the salaries of merchant navy officers as they gain experience. Experience-wise salary of merchant navy officers is tabulated below.

Experience Years	Average Annual Salary (INR)
0 - 5 years	7 L
6 - 10 years	17 L
11 - 15 years	30 L
16 - 20 years	54 L
20 years & above	1 Cr

Qualification Wise

There are different courses that candidates can pursue to become a merchant navy officer. The salaries according to different courses are mentioned in the table below.

Qualification	Average Annual Salary (INR)
GME	2 L - 11 L
BSc Nautical Science	6 L - 8 L
BE Marine Engineering	5 L - 12 L
BTech Marine Engineering	3 L - 10 L
MTech Marine Engineering	4 L - 5.50 L
MSc Nautical Science	3 L - 20 L

City Wise

The salary for merchant navy officers can differ based on their location. The salary of a merchant navy officer in various cities is mentioned in the table below.

City	Average Annual Salary (INR)
Prayagraj	18 L
New Delhi	8 L
Mumbai	5.3 L
Lucknow	5 L
Kolkata	4.4 L
Kanpur	4 L
Bangalore	2.8 L

Govt Merchant Navy Officers Jobs

The Shipping Corporation of India Ltd. (SCI) regularly advertise different shore and fleet-based positions that interested candidates can apply to. The details for some of the latest openings are mentioned in the table below.

Job	Offering Institute	Average Salary (INR)
Technical Assistant	The Shipping Corporation of India Ltd. (SCI)	72,000
Faculty	The Shipping Corporation of India Ltd. (SCI)	1.35 L
Second Mate (FG & NCV)/MEO Class IV	The Shipping Corporation of India Ltd. (SCI)	-
ELO/ETO	The Shipping Corporation of India Ltd. (SCI)	-

Top Recruiters

The Shipping Corporation of India Ltd. (SCI) is the only government company that recruit merchant navy officers for various shore and fleet-based roles.

Name of the Institute	Location
The Shipping Corporation of India Ltd. (SCI)	Mumbai

Merchant Navy Government Jobs: FAQs

Ques. Is merchant navy officer a government job?

Ans. While mostly dominated by private companies in India, candidates who work for SCI are considered government employees as it is a government institute.

Ques. What are the different job profiles in the Merchant Navy?

Ans. Job profiles are based on the type of department in the Merchant Navy. Trainee cadet, Deck Cadet, Officer, Chief Officer, Engineer and Captain are some of the common job profiles.

Ques. How to join the Merchant Navy?

Ans. To join the Merchant Navy, students can either enrol in a maritime academy or apply for the job directly with shipping companies. Students at the maritime academy will undergo training in various aspects of maritime operations. Alternatively, those applying for a direct job have to meet the job role requirements.

Ques. What are the ranks in the Merchant Navy?

Ans. The ranks in the Merchant Navy are structured in a hierarchical manner, with the highest rank being the Captain or Master. Master is followed by Chief Officer, Second Officer and other professionals according to their departments.

Ques. Which post is good in the merchant navy?

Ans. A captain position is considered the best post as it is the supreme role that overlooks every function of the vessel. Other than the captain, chief engineer and chief officer are some of the other desired positions.

Ques. What are the career prospects in the Merchant Navy?

Ans. Deck Officers, Engineering Officers, Electrical Officers and Catering Officers are some of the top career prospects in the Merchant Navy. With experience and training, individuals can move up to higher roles and take on more responsibilities.

Ques. How hard is the 2nd mate exam?

Ans. The 2nd mate exam is challenging, requiring students to have a strong grasp of navigation, maritime regulations and practical ship-handling skills.

Ques. What are some of the challenges faced by the Merchant Navy Officers?

Ans. Merchant Navy can be challenging as professionals spend a long time away from home. The work is also physically demanding and potentially dangerous, especially when working with heavy machinery and hazardous cargo.

Ques. Is family allowed in the merchant navy?

Ans. Families are only allowed on merchant navy ships when given permission by the company and by complying with the company norms.

Ques. Name some colleges that offer courses for the Merchant Navy.

Ans. CV Raman College of Engineering, AMET University, Balaji Seaman Training University, Chennai School of Ship Management and Indian Maritime College are some of the best colleges offering Merchant Navy courses.