The Merchant Navy - Career for Life

    This is the commercial wing of the Shipping Industry which is also known as the Merchant navy. The Merchant Navy deals with transporting cargo and passengers, by sea. Its fleet is therefore composed of passenger vessels, cargo liners, tankers, bulk carriers, as well as other special types of ships. A career in this field is full of adventure and long voyages to exotic places. Above all this, the excellent pay and promising promotional opportunities make the career lucrative and exciting in spite of all the hard work and long absence from family and home. In Merchant Navy, major tasks performed are in three basic areas of a ship Navigation, Engineering and Catering Departments. There are thus, many career options that are available for any youngster who has dreams to join the merchant navy.

             The Navigation department includes the Captain, Chief Officer, Second Officer, Third Officer and other junior officers. The Engineering department consists of the Chief Engineer, Second Engineer, Third Engineer, Fourth Engineer, Electrical Officer and junior engineers. Jobs are available with Indian and foreign (with Govt. approved agencies in India) shipping companies. They usually employ seafarers on a contractual basis, which is generally of six to nine month’s duration.