Many young people desire to join the Merchant Navy, a critical business that transports 90% of global goods by sea. A job at sea may be quite appealing since it provides a unique combination of difficulties and rewards - it's a thrilling and respected vocation. A merchant navy job may teach you a variety of skills and provide you with a lot of experience in terms of professionalism, adaptability, and travel.

Even though current shipping operations are very technological, living at sea has always been linked with a sense of adventure, challenge, and pride. It brings to the fore your essential survival aspects by taking on responsibility and absorbing how to follow and command authority from a young age.

Let's take a look at some of the benefits this career has to offer, as well as the traits needed to be a competent merchant navy specialist.

What is Maritime?

A marine engineer is a mechanical engineer who specializes in the design of ships, boats, submarines, and other watercraft. Other buildings, machinery, and technical equipment relevant to sea transport and other maritime activities are also created by them. Marine engineers use their in-depth knowledge of fluid mechanics, hydraulics, and other principles to design long-lasting water vessels that meet the needs of their intended users. To properly navigate a ship to its goal and overcome obstacles in the ocean, they integrate electrical, steering, temperature control, radar, and engine systems.

Seafarers are in high demand all over the globe, thanks to world-class universities and a strong training system, and the diversity of skills they learn during their training allows them to prosper in a competitive sector.

Those who want to pursue a career at sea by completing the officer training path will be in charge of ensuring that the vessel and its crew are safe, that all machinery is maintained, and that the cargo arrives on time and in good condition. On cruise ships and passenger ferries, there are also positions for persons interested in onboard services and hospitality.

Your how-to guide to pursuing a career in Maritime?

A career at sea provides a plethora of fascinating alternatives for anybody seeking excitement and a break from the monotony of a desk job. The Merchant Navy is the aggregate word for commercial shipping, which encompasses anything from cruise ships to tankers and cargo ships of all kinds.

At both the officer and rating levels, this fast-paced and technologically sophisticated sector needs highly qualified seafarers operating in navigation, engineering, electro-technical, and onboard services disciplines. To begin a career at sea in the Merchant Navy, a variety of entrance methods are available, including fully funded training programs and apprenticeships.

If the roles of a marine engineer pique your interest, learn how to become one by following these steps:

Basic education requirements

Gather information about several marine engineering degrees to begin your career as a marine engineer. You might browse for marine engineering majors at colleges and universities or apply to a maritime institution that specializes in engineering. Some marine engineers have a general engineering degree, but they should make sure to take courses that are specifically related to the field of marine engineering.

Earning great marks during your undergraduate studies and getting your bachelor's degree in marine engineering will demonstrate your capacity to flourish as a marine engineer. You'll mostly study math and science classes as a marine engineering student, which will teach you the principles of naval building and engineering in general.

Sign up for internships

Apply for internships while completing your undergraduate degree to get a taste of what it's like to work as a marine engineer. You can apply for internships in fields such as naval architecture or undersea boats based on your interests. Energy corporations, design firms, shipbuilding companies, the military, and recreational water travel enterprises like cruise lines or yacht developers are all good locations to look for marine engineering internships.

Take your fundamentals of engineering exam

Sign up for the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying's Fundamentals of Engineering exam (FE) once you graduate (NCEES). This general engineering test verifies your ability to apply engineering basics in a real-world setting. Passing the FE is a requirement for becoming a licensed engineer in the future.

Gain industry experience

Begin applying for entry-level marine engineer positions where you may obtain hands-on experience. Your initial job as a marine engineer will most likely be as a junior engineer, where you will be trained by a licensed senior engineer who will delegate and monitor your engineering work. When looking for your first job as a marine engineer, seek positions that allow you to progress in your field of interest.

Get licensure

You can apply to the NCEES to become a licensed professional engineer after four years of experience working in maritime engineering. You must pass the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) test in naval architecture and marine disciplines to obtain your license. The PE test for maritime engineers is eight hours long and establishes your knowledge in areas such as:

• Hydrostatics and hydrodynamics
• Waves, currents, and wind
• Cargo loads, collisions, stress, and corrosion structural design
• Material and equipment choices
• Power generation, plumbing, refrigeration, and electrical systems.
• Construction and maintenance of ships
• Regulations and specifications

Never stop learning

While the PE certification is the most common type of license for marine engineers, there are a variety of other certifications you may obtain to demonstrate your expertise in other elements of the field. You can receive a variety of certificates, including:

• Naval Engineering Certificate
• Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers
• Transportation Worker Identification Credential
• Merchant Shipping Builder's Certificate

Best places to pursue Maritime

One thing is certain: if you join the merchant navy, you will spend a lot of time traveling and exploring new areas. Marine life is an incredible experience, and even though you will be away from your family for months, you will be well compensated. It is stated that being a mariner pays the same as being a pilot of an airplane, but with a lot more challenges.

There are several universities and institutes that are ranked among the top in the world and offer the greatest instruction to students. It takes months of intense preparation before sailing, but the wait is well worth it. You will be exposed to a variety of cultures and cuisines, as well as meeting people from many walks of life.

Australia

With its various waterways and the Great Barrier Reef, Australia is unquestionably one of the greatest destinations to study marine biology and science. For starters, Macquarie University, Griffith University, and the University of New Melbourne (UMelb) are just a few of the universities that offer the degree.

You will be studying in Australia's premier school for marine studies at UMelb. Similarly, electives in applied ecology, geomorphology, and environmental imaging, to mention a few, allow you to specialize.

Scholarships are also offered at the University of Queensland and James Cook University, among others.

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom, with more than 7,700 miles of coastline, is another country with easy access to marine life. As a result, numerous UK universities offer such a curriculum.

The University of Plymouth, for example, offers a Marine Biology Honors course. From the shallowest of seas to the deepest of tunnels, students may examine the various marine creatures found here. The surrounding South Devon shore, for example, is one of the UK's most biodiverse places.

Optional programs, such as Scientific Diving, will be enjoyed by students. Those interested in participating in research might do so on research vessels that go through various protected waters.

Scholarships are offered at both the above-mentioned university and Bangor University.

United States of America

When it comes to studying marine biology, the United States is without a doubt one of the greatest nations to visit. For starters, it is home to some of the world's greatest marine schools.

The United States not only has extensive curricula and well-respected instructors, but it also has easy access to a variety of marine creatures.

Enrolling in west coast colleges (California State University/CSU, University of Washington), especially those near the Pacific, gives you quick access to the Pacific Ocean (University of Hawaii).

Meanwhile, east-coast institutions are only a short distance from the Atlantic Ocean (University of Miami, Duke University). You'll be able to get your hands on the species and niches you need to master no matter where you study in the United States.

Scholarships from American colleges, such as those from the University of Washington or CSU-Long Beach, are available.

Portugal

Portugal, a country known for its ancient beauty, is located west of the European mainland. It is also close to the Atlantic Ocean, making it an ideal location for marine research.

Students at Portuguese universities like the University of Algarve don't have to worry about language barriers because courses are given in English.

A scientific diving facility, a marine organism lab, and a field station, to mention a few, are among the university's outstanding facilities.

Students may also participate in foreign exchanges to broaden their marine expertise. Researchers can readily conduct their research at the Center for Marine Science or the Center for Marine & Environmental Research.

Japan 

Marine biology studies are one of the rare exceptions to the rule that most Japanese institutions teach in Nihongo. With the various marine species found in the Sea of Japan, the country is a great choice for anyone interested in pursuing a career in marine research.

Tohoku University, for example, provides an English-taught Applied Marine Biology course. It places a greater emphasis on practical research than standard curricula. Biopharmaceuticals, seafood management and sustainability, and climatic and environmental challenges are among the topics covered.

Students at Japanese institutions can specialize in aquacultural biology, fisheries biology and ecology, and marine plant ecology, among other fields, with the help of expert faculty.

Scholarships to apply in for Maritime

Scholarships for marine courses might help you "sea" your career in ocean-related fields. The marine industry is expected to increase at a faster-than-average rate of 9% through 2024, according to the BLS. 

Naval architects, port administrators, international trade specialists, harbormasters, marine conservationists, ship surveyors, and other careers for maritime studies graduates are all possibilities. A six-figure annual pay of $100,090 is also reported for marine engineers. Consider applying for one of the following marine studies scholarships to help you pay for your education without going into debt.

Coastal and Marine Engineering and Management Scholarships - Erasmus Mundus Scholarships for Students

Students admitted to CoMEM can apply for Erasmus Mundus scholarships. Candidates are chosen in a competitive procedure from among qualified applications by the CoMEM institutions, who then submit their names to the European Commission for approval under the Erasmus Mundus Programme.

The following is the procedure and criteria for being considered for a Coastal and Marine Engineering and Management Scholarship:

1. Application
2. Acceptance into the program, followed by 
3. scholarship selection.

Candidates who are given an Erasmus Mundus scholarship must finish the whole 2-year CoMEM program, and their degrees will be issued only once they have completed the entire program. Year 1 completion, for example, will not be recognized with a degree.

Fulbright Foreign Student Scholarship Program, USA

International students from 155 countries are eligible to apply for the Fulbright Foreign Student Scholarship Program in the United States. The grant covers master's and doctoral level programs in any subject taught at US universities. The scholarship deadline is February-October (Annual).

Graduate students, young professionals, and artists from throughout the world can study and do research in the United States under the Fulbright Foreign Student Program. The Fulbright Foreign Student Program is active in over 160 countries throughout the world. Each year, over 4,000 international students are awarded Fulbright grants.

Binational Fulbright Commissions/Foundations or US embassies manage the Fulbright Foreign Student Program. These offices handle all applications for the Foreign Student Program.

Netherlands Government Offering Holland Scholarship

The government of the Netherlands is assisting international students by offering the Holland Scholarship. The scholarship covers Masters and Undergraduate level programs at Leiden University, Utrecht University, University of Groningen, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Maastricht University, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Radboud University Nijmegen, Tilburg University, Delft University of Technology, Eindhoven University of Technology, University of Twente, Wageningen University and Research Centre in the field of All Subjects.

The Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science, as well as several Dutch research universities and universities of applied sciences, have contributed to this study.

The Holland Scholarship is for foreign students from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) who wish to study in the Netherlands for their bachelor's or master's degrees.

Joint Japan World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program

The Joint Japan World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program is available to developing countries that are World Bank members. The scholarship covers master's level programs in Multi-Subject, Development-Related Topics at universities in Japan, the United States, and Africa. 

Students from developing countries with appropriate professional experience and a history of supporting their nations' development efforts who are applying to a master's degree program in a development-related area are eligible for the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP).

Students must return to their home country after completing their degree to put their new abilities to work and contribute to their nation's social and economic progress.

What else can you do with the degree?

You will be able to comprehend and implement acceptable marine management strategies after taking a course in shipping management. You'll be able to solve difficulties involving international oceanic law, coastal jurisdictions, and navigational legality.

Port Manager 

This profession entails overseeing the port's operations and logistics. It necessitates a thorough grasp of the many types of ships that dock in a port, as well as the cargo that is handled there and the port's laws and regulations.

Merchant officer 

This role entails strategic management of various trade choices, cargo management, and liaison with various trading organizations. It necessitates communication skills, as well as an understanding of international trade legislation and marine treaties.

Shipping manager

In a logistics organization, a shipping manager is in charge of cargo and commodities handling and transfer from one port to another. The role necessitates a thorough understanding of docking regulations, management tactics, and excellent communication abilities.

Yard manager

A yard manager is in charge of a dockyard's management and upkeep. Physical agility, patience, strong communication skills, and extensive knowledge of docking procedures and shipping components are all required for this profession.