How to Become a Marine Engineer: Complete Guide and Career Path
How to Become a Marine Engineer: A Step-by-Step Guide
Are you passionate about ships and engineering? If so, a career as a marine engineer might be the perfect choice for you. Marine engineering offers exciting opportunities to work on ships and contribute to the maritime industry. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to become a marine engineer.
Understand the Role: Marine engineers are responsible for designing, operating, and maintaining the mechanical and electrical systems of ships. They ensure the smooth functioning of engines, propulsion systems, and other vital equipment.
Educational Requirements: To become a marine engineer, you need to earn a bachelor's degree in marine engineering or a related field. The program typically covers subjects like thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, electrical systems, and marine propulsion.
Age Limit: The age limit for marine engineering may vary depending on the country and educational institutions. Generally, the age limit falls between 17 and 25 years. However, it's essential to check with the specific universities or maritime authorities for accurate information.
Application Process: Research and identify reputable universities or maritime academies that offer marine engineering programs. Follow their application guidelines, which usually involve submitting academic transcripts, standardized test scores, recommendation letters, and a personal statement expressing your interest in marine engineering.
Continuous Learning: The field of marine engineering is constantly evolving, so it's crucial to stay updated with the latest advancements. Participate in workshops, seminars, and continuing education programs to enhance your knowledge and skills.
Embarking on a career in marine engineering is an exciting journey filled with opportunities for personal and professional growth. Start your voyage today and become part of a dynamic industry that powers the world's maritime operations.
Understand the Role: Marine engineers are responsible for designing, operating, and maintaining the mechanical and electrical systems of ships. They ensure the smooth functioning of engines, propulsion systems, and other vital equipment.
Educational Requirements: To become a marine engineer, you need to earn a bachelor's degree in marine engineering or a related field. The program typically covers subjects like thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, electrical systems, and marine propulsion.
Age Limit: The age limit for marine engineering may vary depending on the country and educational institutions. Generally, the age limit falls between 17 and 25 years. However, it's essential to check with the specific universities or maritime authorities for accurate information.
Application Process: Research and identify reputable universities or maritime academies that offer marine engineering programs. Follow their application guidelines, which usually involve submitting academic transcripts, standardized test scores, recommendation letters, and a personal statement expressing your interest in marine engineering.
Continuous Learning: The field of marine engineering is constantly evolving, so it's crucial to stay updated with the latest advancements. Participate in workshops, seminars, and continuing education programs to enhance your knowledge and skills.
Embarking on a career in marine engineering is an exciting journey filled with opportunities for personal and professional growth. Start your voyage today and become part of a dynamic industry that powers the world's maritime operations.
1) Steps to Pursue a Career in Marine Engineering
There are 4 types of courses through which you could join to become Marine Engineer which are as given below
1.1) 4 years Degree course in Marine Engineering after 10 + 2
1.2) 1 year pre- sea course in Marine Engineering after B.E.(Mechanical)
1.3) 2-y ear Pre-Sea Training for Diploma Holders
1.4) 2 ½ years Pre-Sea Training for Marine Engineers under Alternate Training Scheme. after 10 + 2
Age Limit: The age limit for marine engineering may vary depending on the country and educational institutions. Generally, the age limit falls between 17 and 25 years. However, it's essential to check with the specific universities or maritime authorities for accurate information.
Shippimng Corporation of India has Training Institute as an integral part of the comapny and they offer Graduate Marine Engineering course. (GME).
Applying for Marine Engineering: Tips and Requirements
1.1) Procedure of taking admission for 4-Years Pre-Sea Marine Engineering Degree Course.
1.1.1) Minimum Academic Qualification
(a) Pass in 10+2) or equivalent examination with Physics , Chemistry , Mathematics and English as separate subjects with a PCM average of not less than 60%
OR
(b) Candidate can join 2nd year of 4-Y ear Marine Engineering Degree Course provided
b.1) he has passed 1st year training from the Alternate Training Scheme, approved by Director General of Shipping (D.G. Shipping), Government of India. or
b.2 ) has passed 1st year from the Engineering College in other streams like Mechanical or Electrical approved by AICTE with minimum 60% average marks. or
b.3 ) he has passed 3 years Diploma Course in Mechanical / Marine / Electrical / Electrical and Electronics from the colleges approved by AICTE or State Board of Technical Education with minimum 55% of aggregate marks in the last year of Diploma Course.
The candidates should have obtained with minimum of 50% marks in English language at 10th or 12th Std or in the Degree / Diploma course conducted by recognized Board or any University .
1.1.2) Maximum age limit – 25 years
1.1.3) Physical and Medical Standards: Medically fit as per the standards set by Merchant Shipping Medical Examination Rules, and eyesight 6/6 in each eye without visual aids .
(a) Pass in 10+2) or equivalent examination with Physics , Chemistry , Mathematics and English as separate subjects with a PCM average of not less than 60%
OR
(b) Candidate can join 2nd year of 4-Y ear Marine Engineering Degree Course provided
b.1) he has passed 1st year training from the Alternate Training Scheme, approved by Director General of Shipping (D.G. Shipping), Government of India. or
b.2 ) has passed 1st year from the Engineering College in other streams like Mechanical or Electrical approved by AICTE with minimum 60% average marks. or
b.3 ) he has passed 3 years Diploma Course in Mechanical / Marine / Electrical / Electrical and Electronics from the colleges approved by AICTE or State Board of Technical Education with minimum 55% of aggregate marks in the last year of Diploma Course.
The candidates should have obtained with minimum of 50% marks in English language at 10th or 12th Std or in the Degree / Diploma course conducted by recognized Board or any University .
1.1.2) Maximum age limit – 25 years
1.1.3) Physical and Medical Standards: Medically fit as per the standards set by Merchant Shipping Medical Examination Rules, and eyesight 6/6 in each eye without visual aids .
1.1.4) Marine Engineering Colleges (Institutes) Conducting this course.
1.1.4.1) Marine Engineering and Research Institute, Calcutta
This is a government institute and I will suggest you to try for this first.
Admission Process
FEES FOR INDIAN NATIONALS
This is four year residential course to become Marine Engineer and staying at hostel is compulsory. The approximate fee shall be Rs. 1,00,000/- ( Rupees One Lakh ) per year( including messing Charges) and to be payable at Rs 50,000/- per semester before commencement of each semester, and Rs 90,000/- ( Rupees Ninety Thousand) per year for SC/ST candidates( including messing Charges) and payable at Rs 45,000/- per semester before commencement of each semester.
There shall be 50% remission in tuition fees for girls candidates
1.1.4.2) Private Marine Engineering Colleges
There are many private marine engineering colleges. List can be obtained from D/G shipping website. The fees are very high and can be about Rs 3 lakh per annum.
1.1.5) Selection by Shipping Companies
During final year of the course, Shipping companies conduct campus selection and if you do not get selected then you have to apply directly to individual shipping companies after obtaining degree. If You are MERI student, then you have almost 100% chances of getting selected prior completion of the course.
1.2) To see the details of the marine engineering colleges ( Institutes ) conducting above courses click here >
1.1.4.1) Marine Engineering and Research Institute, Calcutta
This is a government institute and I will suggest you to try for this first.
Admission Process
- Apply for IIT-JEE Examination.
- Apply to IIMS for admission.
- Qualify in IIT-JEE Examination.
- Appear for Counseling.
- Final List: Final list of eligible candidates on the basis of IIT-Rank and counseling to be conducted by IIMS, Mumbai. Medical examination of selected candidates will be done by MERI (IMU).
- Course commences at MERI-kolkata : August/September.
- ( Exact dates to be confirmed through call letter)
FEES FOR INDIAN NATIONALS
This is four year residential course to become Marine Engineer and staying at hostel is compulsory. The approximate fee shall be Rs. 1,00,000/- ( Rupees One Lakh ) per year( including messing Charges) and to be payable at Rs 50,000/- per semester before commencement of each semester, and Rs 90,000/- ( Rupees Ninety Thousand) per year for SC/ST candidates( including messing Charges) and payable at Rs 45,000/- per semester before commencement of each semester.
There shall be 50% remission in tuition fees for girls candidates
1.1.4.2) Private Marine Engineering Colleges
There are many private marine engineering colleges. List can be obtained from D/G shipping website. The fees are very high and can be about Rs 3 lakh per annum.
1.1.5) Selection by Shipping Companies
During final year of the course, Shipping companies conduct campus selection and if you do not get selected then you have to apply directly to individual shipping companies after obtaining degree. If You are MERI student, then you have almost 100% chances of getting selected prior completion of the course.
1.2) To see the details of the marine engineering colleges ( Institutes ) conducting above courses click here >
2) 1 Year Pre-sea Training for Mechanical Engineering Graduates.
2.1 ) Minimum Academic Qualification
Graduation in BE (Mechanical ) Engineering / Naval Architecture with minimum marks of 50% in final y ear and with minimum
50% marks in English language at 10th or 12th or in Degree Exam .
2.2 ) Age limit for Marine Engineering –28 y ears
2.3) Procedure to take admission for 1-year Pre-Sea Training
There are many institutes offering this course, but I will suggest you to go for either MERI (IIMS) or the institute run by the shipping company. Anglo Eastern, Executive ship Management have their institutes conducting this course.
To see the details of the Institutes conducting above courses click here >
Entry to this training scheme will be three times in a year (1st October, 1st February and 1st June every year).
1-y ear Pre-Sea Training for Mechanical Graduate Engineering of which 8 months will be at the academy and 4 months on board ship as Trainee Marine Engineer (Engine Cadet).
Apply to the Shipping company conducting this course. If you fulfil the basic requirements as given in Para 2.1 ), you will be called for an entrance test. which comprises of A technical + aptitude test and psychometric test .
After successful passing the above tests you will undergo an interview and medical test .
On passing all the above tests /examinations the candidate i s selected as a Junior Engineer and he is advised to undergo a 1 y ear pre-sea course at the institute run by the shipping Company. Pre sea training is the requirement by Directorate General of Shippi ng (D.G.)
The candidate must possess the following documents at the time of taking admission.
I . X th, X I I th mark sheets
I I . BE Mechanical Engineering all Semester mark sheets .
I I I . Mechanical Engineering Degree or Provisional Degree Certificate from the University .
IV . A ICTE / UGC approval from Col l ege / Univ ersity .
There are many institutes offering this course, but I will suggest you to go for either MERI (IIMS) or the institute run by the shipping company. Anglo Eastern, Executive ship Management have their institutes conducting this course.
To see the details of the Institutes conducting above courses click here >
Entry to this training scheme will be three times in a year (1st October, 1st February and 1st June every year).
1-y ear Pre-Sea Training for Mechanical Graduate Engineering of which 8 months will be at the academy and 4 months on board ship as Trainee Marine Engineer (Engine Cadet).
Apply to the Shipping company conducting this course. If you fulfil the basic requirements as given in Para 2.1 ), you will be called for an entrance test. which comprises of A technical + aptitude test and psychometric test .
After successful passing the above tests you will undergo an interview and medical test .
On passing all the above tests /examinations the candidate i s selected as a Junior Engineer and he is advised to undergo a 1 y ear pre-sea course at the institute run by the shipping Company. Pre sea training is the requirement by Directorate General of Shippi ng (D.G.)
The candidate must possess the following documents at the time of taking admission.
I . X th, X I I th mark sheets
I I . BE Mechanical Engineering all Semester mark sheets .
I I I . Mechanical Engineering Degree or Provisional Degree Certificate from the University .
IV . A ICTE / UGC approval from Col l ege / Univ ersity .
2.4. Pre-Sea Training Programme.
Cost of pre-sea training i s approximatel y Rs .3.5 lakhs and has to be borne by the candidate
The 1 y ear pre-s ea course i s a residential course of 8 months ( 2 semesters) i .e. you will be residing i n hostel inside the campus .
In the pre-s ea course, you will be imparted trai ni ng i n marine engineering and other related topi cs . You have to complete successfully both the semesters i n order to satisfy requirements for going on board ships .
2.5. Education loan is available.
Once you have been selected by shipping company, they can arrange for banks to give you education loans at existing market rates , you could also on your own approach a bank of your choice to obtain educational loans at favourable interest rates .
Cost of pre-sea training i s approximatel y Rs .3.5 lakhs and has to be borne by the candidate
The 1 y ear pre-s ea course i s a residential course of 8 months ( 2 semesters) i .e. you will be residing i n hostel inside the campus .
In the pre-s ea course, you will be imparted trai ni ng i n marine engineering and other related topi cs . You have to complete successfully both the semesters i n order to satisfy requirements for going on board ships .
2.5. Education loan is available.
Once you have been selected by shipping company, they can arrange for banks to give you education loans at existing market rates , you could also on your own approach a bank of your choice to obtain educational loans at favourable interest rates .
2.6. On board training after Completion of 8 months pre sea course.
Keep your passport ready before you join pre-sea institute, if not apply and get it before completion of 1st semester.
Company will call you and brief you about your on board training programme. They may even conduct short courses for you in their own training centre. Company will arrange for your medical test, visa, flight ticket to the port where you will be joining the ship. All the expenses will be borne by the company. If any company asks money for any of these services, then consider that you are being cheated.
The on board training period is 4 months . During this period you will get a stipend of about US$ 400/- to 500/- per month. Boarding and lodging on board the ship is provided free of charge.
Once you complete the onboard training period of 4 months you will be promoted to the rank of junior engineer. As a junior engineer you will get a salary of US$750 to 900/-. After 6 months or more, you will be signed off the ship and sent back to your home.
2.7. Training Programs for Aspiring Marine Engineers
After completing your degree, you'll need to undergo practical training onboard ships to gain hands-on experience. This training period is essential for obtaining the necessary certifications, such as the Certificate of Competency (CoC). The CoC signifies your competence as a marine engineer.
After returning from ship, you will prepare for MEO Cl as s IV examination, and you will appear for the same at M M D. Once you qualify in this examination you are eligible to become a fourth engineer of a foreign going ship.
3) 2 Years Pre-Sea Training to become Marine Engineer for Diploma holders.
This is a golden opportunity for diploma holders to become marine engineer in two years.
3.1 ) Minimum Academic Qualification
(a) Pass Diploma in Mechanical /Marine/ Naval Architecture / Electrical / Electrical and Electronics Engineering with minimum marks of 50% in final year and with minimum of 50% marks in English language at 10th, 12th std or Diploma exam .
(b) Passed Diploma in Shipbuilding Engineering with minimum marks of 50% in final year (4 year course) and with minimum of 50% marks in English language at 10th, 12th std or Diploma exam .
3.2 ) Maximum age limit –28 y ears
3.1 ) Minimum Academic Qualification
(a) Pass Diploma in Mechanical /Marine/ Naval Architecture / Electrical / Electrical and Electronics Engineering with minimum marks of 50% in final year and with minimum of 50% marks in English language at 10th, 12th std or Diploma exam .
(b) Passed Diploma in Shipbuilding Engineering with minimum marks of 50% in final year (4 year course) and with minimum of 50% marks in English language at 10th, 12th std or Diploma exam .
3.2 ) Maximum age limit –28 y ears
4) Two and half years Pre-sea Training in Marine Engineering under ATS.
4.1 ) In 1990s, there was acute shortage of deck engineering officers and to fill up the gap the course of 2 ½ years Pre-Sea Training for Marine Engineers under Alternate Training Scheme was started as normal degree course takes 4 years to complete. Now still very few institutes are running the course. This course requires students to goon ship after one year study in college, but not many shipping companies are keen on giving them training berths, hence the scheme did not become popular.
4.2 ) Minimum Academic Qualification
Pass in (10+2) or equivalent examination with Physics, Chemistry, Maths and English as separate subjects with a PCM average of not less than 60% and with minimum 50% marks in English language at 10th or 12th std exam .
English: Should have passed with not less than 60% marks in English as a separate subject, at either 10th or 12th standard or in the Degree programme conducted by a recognized Board/University .
4.2 ) Minimum Academic Qualification
Pass in (10+2) or equivalent examination with Physics, Chemistry, Maths and English as separate subjects with a PCM average of not less than 60% and with minimum 50% marks in English language at 10th or 12th std exam .
English: Should have passed with not less than 60% marks in English as a separate subject, at either 10th or 12th standard or in the Degree programme conducted by a recognized Board/University .
4.3) Maximum age limit – 25 years
4.4) To see the details of the Institutes conducting above courses click here >
4.4) To see the details of the Institutes conducting above courses click here >
Career Opportunities and Advancement in Marine Engineering.
Once you have the required qualifications and certifications, you can explore various engineering jobs on ships. These positions may include roles like assistant engineer, engineering officer, or chief engineer, depending on your experience and rank.
Marine Engineering Jobs involve Running and Maintenance of all ship's machinery. Running and maintenance of Main Engine, Diesel generators, boiler, air compressors, various pumps, anti pollution equipments, fire and safety equipments etc. come under Marine engineering jobs.
Marine Engineering Jobs involve Running and Maintenance of all ship's machinery. Running and maintenance of Main Engine, Diesel generators, boiler, air compressors, various pumps, anti pollution equipments, fire and safety equipments etc. come under Marine engineering jobs.
Marine Engineer's Salary.
As we have mentioned in previous section, marine engineering salary starts from US$ 1000 to US$ 15000 depending on the seniority , type of ship and company.
Frequently Asked Questions about Career as Marine Engineer
1. Question: "What is a Marine Engineer?"
Answer: "A Marine Engineer is a professional who designs, operates, and maintains various systems and machinery on ships, including propulsion systems, electrical systems, and auxiliary systems. They play a crucial role in ensuring the safe and efficient operation of vessels at sea."
2. Question: "What is the difference between a Marine Engineer and a Naval Architect?"
Answer: "While both Marine Engineers and Naval Architects are involved in ship design and construction, their roles differ. Marine Engineers focus on the operation and maintenance of ship systems and machinery, while Naval Architects primarily deal with the design and structural integrity of ships."
3. Question: "What is the educational path to becoming a Marine Engineer?"
Answer: "To become a Marine Engineer, one typically needs to obtain a bachelor's degree in Marine Engineering, Naval Architecture, or a related field. This is usually followed by gaining practical experience through onboard training programs or apprenticeships."
4. Question: "What are the job opportunities for Marine Engineers?"
Answer: "Marine Engineers have job opportunities in various sectors, including shipping companies, shipyards, offshore oil and gas industry, research institutions, and maritime consultancy firms. They can work on different types of vessels, offshore platforms, or be involved in ship design and construction projects."
5. Question: "What is the average salary of a Marine Engineer?"
Answer: "The salary of a Marine Engineer can vary depending on factors such as experience, qualifications, type of employer, and location. On average, Marine Engineers can earn a competitive salary, with entry-level positions starting around $60,000 per year and experienced professionals earning over $100,000 per year."
6. Question: "How can I become a Ship's Engineer?"
Answer: "To become a Ship's Engineer, you need to obtain the necessary qualifications, including a degree in Marine Engineering or a related field. After completing your education, you can gain practical experience through onboard training programs or apprenticeships. It is also essential to obtain the relevant certifications and licenses required by maritime authorities."
7. Question: "Are there growth opportunities in the field of Marine Engineering?"
Answer: "Yes, there are growth opportunities in the field of Marine Engineering. With experience and additional certifications, Marine Engineers can progress to higher positions, such as Chief Engineer, and take on more significant responsibilities. They can also explore opportunities in research and development, project management, or consultancy roles."