A career in shipping is perfect for individuals who are fascinated by the sea, love travelling in foreign lands and want to experience different cultures across the globe.
The shipping and maritime industry is a critical part of India’s economy. As per the latest data, 90% of the country’s trade by volume and 70% by value is handled by the shipping and maritime industry.
The Indian maritime trade sector is growing at a CAGR of 8 to 10% and the port capacity has doubled over the last decade.
Due to this growing demand, the industry offers a great career potential for candidates passionate about shipping logistics, international trade, marine engineering and merchant navy.
Before we dive deeper into this field and discuss career opportunities, let’s understand more about shipping and maritime.
Shipping and Maritime
The Shipping and Maritime industry deals with the movement of goods across countries and continents, serving as a backbone of global trade.
The shipping and maritime is a vital component of the international supply chain, involving transportation of goods, cargo, passengers and other raw material through the sea routes.
Shipping and Maritime are the two terms inter-connected to each other. Let us discuss about maritime and shipping separately.
Shipping is the transport of goods or cargo by ships. It includes the transport of goods as well as people from one place to another.
Maritime generally refers to the broader ecosystem of activities related to the sea, including shipping, shipbuilding, ports, and marine laws.
Due to increase in international trade, demand of shipping is expanded tremendously. Shipping plays a very important role in the growth and development of country’s economy.
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Scope in Shipping and Maritime
There is a vast scope in the Shipping & Maritime profession. All courses under this field is very much demanding and in trend. You can make your career in this field if you are interested in travelling world tour & want to gain knowledge of various places and cultures. There is a wide range of scope in logistics and shipping.
After completing your degree, you can join government/ private shipping companies and various port agencies in India or in abroad. Shipping industries are one of the best sectors to make your career. Marine engineers can also join the merchant navy.
Courses in Shipping and Maritime
Many Universities and Colleges offer a variety of courses related to shipping and maritime for candidates interested in pursuing a career in this field.
The programs are offered from undergraduate diplomas to postgraduate degrees and professional certifications. Many institutes and ed-tech platforms also offer distance learning or e-certifications programs in this field.
The curriculum of these courses focuses on marine education with special emphasis on fundamentals of marine subjects and practical aspects of profession will be taught to the students.
Diploma Courses
- Diploma in Marine Engineering (3 years)
- Diploma in Logistics and Shipping (1 year)
- Diploma in Naval Architecture And Offshore Engineering (3 years)
- Diploma in Nautical Science (1 year)
Undergraduate Courses
- B.Sc. in Nautical Science (3 years)
- BBA in Shipping Management (3 years)
- B.Sc. in Ship Building and Repair (3 years)
- B.Sc in Maritime Science (3 years)
- B.Tech/B.E. in Marine Engineering (4 years)
Postgraduate Courses
- Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Shipping and Logistics (2 years)
- MBA in International Transportation & Logistics Management (2 years)
- MBA in Port and Shipping Management – (2 years)
- MBA in International Transportation & Logistics Management (2 years)
- M.Tech in Marine Engineering (2 years)
- M.Sc in Shipping Trade and Finance (2 year)
- M.Sc International Shipping and Logistics (2 year)
Professional Certificate Courses
- Certificate in Marine Engineering (6 months to 1 year)
- STCW (Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping)
- Certificate in Port Management (6 months – 1 year)
- Advanced Diploma in Logistics and Shipping (1 year)
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Admission Process
The admission in courses related to shipping and maritime is done on the basis of entrance exams. For admission in B.Sc, B.Tech, MBA, M.Sc and M.Tech programs candidates are required to qualify the corresponding entrance exams.
Admission to the management course like MBA or PGDM program in shipping will be done through MAT 2025/CAT 2025/XAT 2025 entrance examination.
For admission to Engineering courses in maritime, candidates are required to appear the JEE Main 2025 for undergraduate courses and GATE 2025 (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) for admission to the postgraduate courses.
For admission to B.Sc Nautical Sciences courses IMU CET 2025 (Indian Maritime University Common Entrance Test) or CUET 2025.
Top Shipping and Maritime Colleges in India
Some best colleges for pursuing courses related to Shipping & Maritime are listed below:
- Indian Maritime University (IMU), Chennai
- Tolani Maritime Institute (TMI), Pune
- Marine Engineering and Research Institute (MERI), Mumbai
- International Maritime Institute (IMI), Greater Noida
- Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT), Kochi
- Academy of Maritime Education and Training (AMET), Chennai
- Vels Academy of Maritime Studies, Chennai
- Samundra Institute of Maritime Studies, Mumbai
- Hindustan Institute of Maritime Training (HIMT), Chennai
- B.P. Marine Academy, Navi Mumbai
- NIMS University, Jaipur
- UPES, Dehradun
Jobs & Career
The Shipping and Marine industry provide career opportunities in both technical and non-technical roles. Exciting career paths are offered in the field of Shipping & Maritime. There are enormous job opportunities for the candidates who have completed diploma, UG and PG courses.
Professionals can work in the field of marine transportations, logistics, port operations and marine law. Below are the key jobs roles and popular career fields in this industry.
Merchant Navy
Common roles for professionals who have completed course in this sector includes:
- Marine Engineer
- Deck Officer
- Electrical Engineer
- Ship Captain or 2nd, 1st Officer
Port Management
After completing diploma or master in port and shipping management. Graduates can work in the following roles:
- Port Operations Manager
- Terminal Manager
- Cargo Supervisor
- Logistics Coordinator
Marine Engineering
Marine Engineering offers technical roles to the graduates. Candidates can work in the following roles:
- Naval Architect
- Ship Maintenance Engineer
- Marine Engineer
Shipping Logistics and Supply Chain Management
- Shipping Manager
- Freight Forwarder
- Supply Chain Analyst
- Customs Clearance Officer
Skills Required
- Excellent Verbal & Written communication skills
- Decision making Ability
- Willingness to Learn
- Ability to work well with all levels of staff
- Self-Motivation
- Confidence
- Commercial Awareness
Shipping industry plays a vital role in international trade and due to this it offers interesting and diverse career opportunities at a global level.
The shipping & maritime industry offers an excellent opportunity to the youngsters who wish to carve & achieve a self-disciplined, motivated & an adventurous career.
Recruiters
- GMMCO Limited
- Carnival Cruise Line
- TMC Shipping Pvt Ltd.
- ITT Shipping (P) Ltd.
- American Cruise Lines
- Ocean Shipping Service PVT.LTD
- Bridgeview Maritime Pvt.Ltd.
- Anglo-Eastern Ship Management
- The Great Eastern Shipping Company Ltd.
- Northern Marine Management (India) Pvt. Ltd.
Salary
Individuals working in this field gets the rewarding pay with many other benefits.
The Salary in this field is extremely high and largely depends on the course and skillset of the candidates. Remuneration will depends upon the post you are holding and candidates experience. Marine Engineers, Ship Captain and other officers receive excellent salary packages.
In Indian ships, deck cadet can earn 50,000-80,000 per month and around 90,000-120,000 in foreign ships. A deck officer may receive from Rs. 90000 to 1,50,000 per month.
The figures of your salary varies in abroad. In abroad, you will get the salary of around 85000$ per annum.
gain lucrative job opportunities and best salary after doing shipping & maritime courses.
Books & Study Materials
Some best books are listed here that helps you in the study of Shipping & Maritime:
- The Maritime Engineering Reference Book
by Anthony E. Molland - Shipping and Logistics Management
by Y.H.V. Lun, K.-H. Lai, T.C.E. Chen - Advances in Maritime Structure
by C. Guedes Soares, W. Fricke - Design Principles of Ships and Marine Structures
by S.C. Misra - A guide to collision avoidance rules
by A.N. Cockcroft & J.N.F. Lameijer - Seamanship Techniques: Shipboard and Marine Operations
by David J House - Ship Stability for Masters and Mates
by Bryan Barrass - The Seamanship Examiner: For STCW Certification Examinations
by David J House & Farhan Saeed
For more information about Career in Shipping & Maritime, leave your comments below.
HOW TO MAKE JOBS
You can apply for shipping and maritime jobs after having the necessary qualifications and job criteria.
Sir… Pls tell me the right process to become an Engineering student as a science student
For complete details about a career in Engineering refer this article – Engineering Courses after 12th
Sir I hold MBA finance holder and want to join the chipping industry as a deck officer.what should I do and what are the procedures. Currently living in Beljium and the cost pls.email response will be much appreciated. Thanks.
For jobs as a deck cadet, you can pursue diploma in nautical science or related discipline.
Sir what is the pass mark for JEE Main to get admission in Deck officer and what are the procedures. Thanks
For deck officer, you can appear in IMU CET B.Sc nautical science course.
Helo sir i am not educated but I am hotel job for 6 year qatar
Professional cook can you help me for this job
You can join Shipping jobs as a chef/cook. As you already have 6 years of work experience,you can pursue a short-term diploma course and apply for the jobs.
Am a B.com graduate (finance & tax ) .can anyone help me in knowing which would be the best course that i should choose in marine.
Sir /madam I have completed M.com (International Business) is their any vacancy on the ship
sir/madem,
I am a commerce student.Is there is any post avilable in a ship can i apply
you can go join shipping companies through deck cadet route.
Sir,I have completed m.a.bengali is there any in shiping
I have a brother who completed Ghana Maritime University and read Management in Ports and Shipping. He had First Class.
IAM asking if there is a job vacancy you can help him with out there.
Thank you.
Hopping to hear from you soon.
I’m a btech graduate in electronics and communication
But can I get a job in shipping or maritime by taking a course in relevant field
i want information about MBA in shipping 1 year to my email please
hI I am bcom graduate can I get jobs in ship with some additional course or something please let me know
Sir
I am complete one year diploma fire safety engineering course..any job in ship
Sir
I am a B.com student now iam in third year next year i would like to join in ship which course is better to me
Sir, what are our chances if get imu pg certificate?
What does it take for an international student to do Masters in Port and shipping management
Pls am an Engineering student i want to do four courses in maritime academy that will enable me work in the ship.the courses are motor man,safety precaution,oil tank familiarization etc.and hw much will each of the course cost me?
sir
how much marks should be needed in jee main to get admsn in Indian navy officer ??
is their any reservation for st cast students ?
hw much salary for this?
Sir..please tell how much a student should score in JEE Mains to get admission in maritime engineering ? Thanks