Merchant Navy Salary in India

Are you someone who dreams of a career that takes you across the world’s oceans, cargo ships, passenger vessels and earns a good salary? If yes, then a career in the Merchant Navy may be the perfect choice for you. Merchant Navy is a specialized industry involved in commercial operations such as the transportation of passengers and products via maritime routes. Because the bulk of trade dealings are carried out by sea, the field of the Merchant Navy is well-known across the world. This article will go through the various job types and salaries in the Merchant Navy.

The Merchant Navy is the cornerstone of global trade since it transports goods and products between different parts of the world. Joining the Merchant Navy would need significant travel to intriguing destinations across the world. Merchant Navy Salary in India ranges between INR 30,000 to INR 18,00,000 with an average annual salary of INR 3,00,000. Like any other profession, the Merchant Navy salary is determined by a variety of factors, including the selected employee's rank, experience, and location.

The minimum age to join the Merchant Navy is usually between 17.5 and 25 years old. The minimum Merchant Navy salary often varies between INR 25,000 to INR 60,000, while the maximum Merchant Navy salary can go up to INR 20,00,000 per year. After obtaining significant years of experience in the Merchant Navy for roughly 5 - 10 years, the average seaman's salary can reach up to INR 8,00,000 Per Annum.

The average Merchant Navy starting salary ranges from INR 4,80,000 to INR 6,00,000 Per Annum. A Merchant Navy Officer with more than ten years of experience gets an average monthly salary of INR 21,00,000. With more than 20 years of extensive expertise, the highest Merchant Navy monthly salary might range between INR 3,00,00,000 and INR 5,00,00,000.

The yearly salary in Merchant Navy officers in various categories is listed below.

Merchant Navy Salary in India

The average Merchant Navy salary for candidates is between INR 3,00,000 to INR 18,70,000 Per Annum depending on experience. Those who have passed their 12th board examinations, on the other hand, can opt to work as Deck Officers or in the catering department, with average salaries of INR 2,20,000 Per Annum and INR 3,00,000 Per Annum, respectively. Candidates with more than 15 years of experience and the appropriate educational qualifications can earn up to INR 2,00,00,000 and even more annually.

Many leading merchant navy companies in India recruit both new and experienced personnel for various positions. CMA-CGM Group, Anglo Eastern Shipping, and Mediterranean Shipping Company are among the major merchant navy corporations in India. The average salary for various shipping companies operating in India is shown in the table below. 

The table below details the  Specialization wise salary of a Merchant Navy in India -

For candidates who have pursued relevant degrees, the average salary after Merchant Navy usually ranges between INR 3,00,000 - INR 18,70,000 Per Annum. However, candidates who have cleared their 12th board exams can directly choose to pursue a career as Deck Officers or can also join the catering department with an average pay of INR 2,20,000 and INR 3,00,000 per annum respectively. 

Merchant Navy Salary After 12th 

Those who want to join Merchant Navy after clearing their class 12 examination should follow certain eligibility criteria for the same as discussed below-

• Candidates joining Merchant Navy after class 12 are trained to perform significant tasks such as checking tank surroundings daily basis, maintaining the ship, maintaining LSA or life-saving appliances, and FFA or fire-fighting appliances. Along with these duties, they have to do various port work too
• The average monthly salary for candidates who join Merchant Navy after 12th ranges from INR 25,000 - INR 80,000 per month.
• However, the salary of a candidate joining the Merchant Navy Salary After 12th witnesses a gradual rise after gaining substantial years of experience and updated skills and knowledge. 

Merchant Navy Salary After 10th

Students who have cleared the class 10 board examination with a minimum score of 45% aggregate are eligible to join the GP Rating course. They have to fill out a registration form and appear in a series of exams that tests physical and mental abilities.

• The Pre-sea course for general purpose rating is 6 months long and trains cadets primarily for 2 roles i.e. Engine and Deck Rating
• Upon completion of the GP Rating course, candidates can start working as Engine or Deck crew
• Upon completing 36 months on the board, candidates can be Officers by appearing for the 2nd Mate Examination. 
• Merchant Navy starting salary for candidates who have completed class 10 board exams ranges from INR 25,000 to INR 30,000 and the pay scale keeps on changing based on examinations and achievements

After completing a Merchant Navy course in India candidates can get job opportunities in the following profiles-

Merchant Navy Jobs offer is a very lucrative career and what makes it even better is that it has ample opportunities both in private and government sectors-

Government Jobs in the Merchant Navy:

Due to the importance of the merchant navy in facilitating global commerce and freight transportation, more individuals with training are needed in more departments on board, which broadens the career opportunities in this industry. As a result, applicants can obtain employment in any of the following departments in government shipping companies:

• Deck Department
• Engine Department
• Service Department

Private Jobs in the Merchant Navy:

Private jobs in the merchant navy are offered by private shipping companies that operate cargo ships, oil tankers, passenger ships along with other types of vessels transporting goods and people. Some of the private merchant navy companies are-

• Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC)
• CMA CGM
• Maersk Line
• APL
• Evergreen Marine Corporation
• COSCO Shipping 

The Merchant Navy industry has several top recruiters that offer job opportunities to aspiring candidates. Some of the top recruiters for merchant navy are:

• Shipping Corporation of India (SCI)
• The Great Eastern Shipping Company (GE Shipping)
• Hapag-LLoyd
• OOCL
• MOL Group
• CSCL
• Zim Integrated Shipping Services
• Anglo Eastern Ship Management
• Fleet Management Limited