How to join as a GP Rating in Merchant Navy?

1. What is meant by GP Rating (General Purpose) Ratings?

In all merchant ship whether its general cargo, oil tanker, OSV or cruise vessel, there are mainly three departments, Deck department and Engine department and saloon department. In deck department, crew are required to work under the supervision of officers on deck and on bridge. In Engine department, crew work under the supervision of Engineers in the Engine room. They are called GP ratings (General purpose rating). There is also third department called saloon department which comprises of  cooks and a stewards.

2. Is GP Rating a good Job?

If you are skilled or unskilled worker, GP rating on a ship gets 3 to 4 times salary than whai he would earn ashore. Additionaly finest meals and free accomodation are provided. He can also visit foreign countries. So definitely GP rating is a good job.
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​3. Can I join as a GP Rating in Merchant Navy?

To join as G P rating in Merchant Navy, one has to complete a 6 months  G.P. rating course.  There are many institutes in India and other countries who conduct GP rating course. But very few number of vacancies arise every year and there are many institutes conducting GP rating course.  I have seen people who haven't got job two years after doing this course.  Hence I would like to caution you before you take admission for GP rating course. ​

4. What is GP rating salary?

GP rating starts his career as trainee seaman. During  this time he gets 300 to 500 USD stipend. After working for 6 months to one year he may be promoted to OS in deck department or Wiper in Engine department or Messman in Saloon department. His salary will be increased to 1000 USD. He can reach upto position of Bosun with salary about USD 2000.

5. How to join GP rating course?

To join as GP rating in merchant navy, you are required to undergo 6 months pre-sea course from D/G shipping approved institute. 

5.1)  Minimum Academic Qualification

Pass with aggregate 40% marks in 10th Standard from a recognized Board with Science, Mathematic as subjects and with minimum 40% marks in English language either in 10th , 12th or diploma/degree exam. 

5.2) Maximum age  limit – Between 17.5 to 25 years. 

5.3)  Physical  and Medical  Standards:  Medically fit as per the standards set by  Merchant  Shipping Medical  Examination Rules.

5.4) Institutes Conducting GP rating course. (Please check http://www.dgshipping.gov.in/  as sometimes these institutes get suspended by D/G shipping.)

​1. Orissa Maritime Academy, Paradip
2. Trident College of Marine Technology, Kolkata
3. Maritime Education Training & Research Insitute, Kolkata
4. Maritime Academy of India, Kolkata
5. Asha Institute of Marine Technology, Varanasi
6. Sriram Institute of Maritime Studies, New Delhi
7. Acqatech Institute of maritime Studies,New Delhi
8. J. Sons Merchant Navy Institute, Meerut 
9. Euro Tech Maritime Academy, Kochi
10. Commander Ali Academy of Merchant Navy, Secudarabad 
11. Sri Chakra Maritime College,Auroville
12. Balaji Seaman  Training Institute, Chennai
13. Cosmopolitan Technology of Maritime, Chennai
14. Hindustan Institute of Maritime Training, Chennai
15. Indus Seafares Training Academy, Chennai`
16. International Maritime Academy, Chennai
17. Maritime Foundation, Chennai
18. Southern Academy of Maritime Studies, Chennai
19. Tamilnadu Maritime Academy, Chennai
20. Maritime Training Academy, Udawada, Gujarat
​21. Sea Scan Maritime Academy, Goa
22. NUSI Maritime Academy, Goa
23. Columbus Maritime Training Institute, Khopoli
24. MMTI’s Education & Research Trsut, Khopoli
25. Arya Marine Academy, Mumbai
26. T.S. Rahaman, Navi Mumbai
27. Bonzer Academy of Maritime Studies, Mumbai
28. B.P. Marine Academy, Navi Mumbai
29. Yak Education Trust, Khopoli
30. Baba Marine Institute, Mumbai
31. Marine Medical Clinic, Mumbai
32. Marine Officers Training Academy, Pondicherry
33. Dr.B.R. Ambedkar Govt.Polytechnic, Port Blair
34. School of Seamanship and Nautical Technology, Kanchipuram, Tamilnadu
35. Oceanic Maritime Academy, Dehradun
5.5)  Selection by Shipping Companies

You have to apply directly to individual shipping companies after completion of the course.  If You are MERI student, then you have almost 100% chances of getting selected prior completion of the course.

6. How to join 6 Month Pre-Sea GP Rating Course for Fitters/Petty Officers?


6.1 ) Minimum Academic Qualification

Pass in 2-Year I.T.I. course from Govt. Approved Institute with minimum 50% aggregate marks in final year and minimum 40% marks in English at 10th or 12th or diploma/degree exam. 

6.2 ) Maximum age  limit –Between 17.5 to 25 years. 

6.3) List of Institutes conducting the course: Pleaser check 3.4
7. List of GP rating course Institutes closed or suspended.
​Sr. No.  INDOS No.   Name of Institute                                             

1.        831         Academy of Marine Studies, Kochi
2.          40        ACE Maritime Institute, Mumbai
3.          31        Aditya Training & Maritime Services, Mumbai
4.          62        Applied Research International, Navi Mumbai
5.        839         Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai
6.         51         Cadet Academy, The Great Eastern Shipping Co. Ltd, Mumbai
7.        701        Calcutta Docking & Engineering Limited, Kolkata
8.        706        Central Inland Water Transport Corporation Limited, Kolkata
9.        302        Century Maritime Institute,  Mumbai
10.      825        Chennai Maritime Academy,  Chennai
11.      809        Choudhary Tech Ship Services Pvt Ltd, Chennai
12.        41        Chowgule Maritime Academy, Mumbai
13.       410       Doon Mariners Academy, Dehra Dun
14.        20        Dr. P.C. Ahluwalia Courses,  Mumbai
15.        35        Essem Marine Academy,  Mumbai
16.       610       Fosma Maritime Institute & Research Organization, Kolkata
17.       702       Hooghly Dock & Port Engineers, Kolkata
18.       015       International Institute of Maritime Studies        Mumbai
19.       609       Institute of Marine Radio Officer, Kolkata      
20          67       Krishna Maritech,  Thane
21.        38        Kushte Nursing Home  Pune
22.      414        Merchant Navy Training Academy   Jaipur
​​23.       52         MBPT/FOSMA Seafarers Training Centre    Mumbai
24.      408        National Institute of Merchant Navy Training   Meerut
25.      822        Naval Maritime Academy    Visakhapatnam          
26.      050       Ocean Prima Marine Institute Pvt Ltd  Mumbai
27.       36        Pacific Ship Management  Mumbai
28.       49        Pelican Marine Academy  Navi Mumbai
29.     304        Patel Engineering Works  Mumbai
30.       48        Pelican Shipping Company Mumbai
31       417        RCA Merchant Navy Academy Bijnor (UP)
32.       47        Seascan Marine Services  Mumbai
33.       71        Shivneri Marine Academy  Raigad
34.       56        St. John Ambulance Association  Mumbai
35.      603        St. John Ambulance Association  Kolkata
36.       29        Vankri Maritime Academy Mumbai
37.       25        Varun Shipping Co. Ltd Mumbai
38.      707       Vishakhapatnam Port Trust Vizag
39.       13        Wallem Ship Management Limited , Mumbai
40.       27        Zephyr Shipping Pvt. Ltd,  Mumbai
41.     704        The Shalimar Works(1980) Limited, Kolkata
42.     904        Binny Engineers Limited, Chennai
43.     611        Radio Marine Institute, Kolkata
44.     068        Vasantdada Patil Pratisthan's College of Engg. , Mumbai