Areas of Work   Job Profile   Essential Attributes   Opening   Growth Prospects   Remuneration   Training Institutes

Areas of Work

Sailors and their legendary voyages have long fascinated storytellers and audiences alike. Marine engineers are modern sailors. And their jobs are just as exciting.


At the moment, the face of marine engineering is undergoing several important changes in the wake of automation. Electronic navigation has altered the art of sailing worldwide.


Marine engineers primarily work in the Indian Merchant Navy, which comprises of passenger vessels, cargo liners, tankers, ore carriers and other types of specialised ships. These ships are operated by public and private sector shipping companies.


The highest post on a ship is that of the Chief Engineering Officer. Several Junior Engineering Officers work under the Chief Engineering Officer.


Marine engineers are also employed in the following areas:

• Design
• Research
• Education and training
• Consultancy
 

Job Profile

Marine engineers are responsible for the efficient running of the ship's engine room. Operating all engines, boilers, refrigerating and sanitary equipment, deck machinery and steam connections of marine ships is the responsibility of the marine engineer. Maintenance, repair and construction of all marine machinery also fall under the purview of the marine engineer.


This work demands tremendous physical energy. However, it must be noted that automation has considerably eased the marine engineer's job.

Essential Attributes

Marine engineers must possess the following personal attributes to succeed in the field

• Organising ability
• Practicality
• Ability to get on well with people of all types at all levels in the hierarchy
• Ability to keep calm under pressure and in crisis
• Enjoy working with tools
• Good at conceptualising forms and structures
• Knack for numbers
• Excellent communication skills
• Physical fitness
• Liking for the sea travel

Opening

Openings are in Indian and global shipping firms. Marine Engineers are specifically qualified to join the Merchant Navy, or public and private shipping companies. Marine engineers are also employed by

• Engine production firms
• Ship building firms
• Research bodies
• Ship design firms
• Indian Navy

Growth Prospects

Currently there is a shortage of marine engineers in the Indian Merchant Navy. With increase in international global sea traffic, the demand for marine engineers in public and private shipping companies has risen sharply.

Remuneration

Marine engineers receive excellent pay packages even at the entry level. "A person who joins the merchant navy as Junior Engineer earns around Rs 25,000 to 30,000 per month in an Indian Vessel and from 2,000-3,000 U.S$ per month in any foreign vessel. At the chief engineer's level, one can earn up to US $ 5,000 per month.

Training Institutes

The two main training centres for marine engineers are:

Several private institutes also offer training in marine engineering. All private institutes offering marine engineering courses must be approved by the Director General of Shipping, Mumbai. Only some training institutes admit female candidates.


The Tolani Maritime Institute (TMI)
(Collaboration with Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani)
Sharada Centre
Erandwane
Pune - 411004
Maharashtra
 


Academy of Maritime Education and Training
3/4/5 Ambedkar Street
Gandhi Nagar
Saligramam
Chennai - 600 093
Tamil Nadu



National Institute of Port Management
East Coast Road
Uthandi
Chennai - 600 096


For complete listing of Marine Institute and courses offered visit site of Directorate General of Shipping:

www.dgshipping.nic.in