Career in Marine Engineering and Naval architecture

A career in Marine Engineering is challenging as well as rewarding.  For doing a bachelor’s degree in Marine Engineering or nautical science or naval  architecture one should have passed 10 + 2 science with physics, chemistry, mathematics and English. The course is of four years duration. After successful completion of the course B.E. or B. Tech degree is awarded to the students. In most institutes candidates are admitted through an entrance examination, which is normally held in the month of May every year at various centres all over India followed by viva-voice and medical examination. Other important institutes like R.L. Institute of nautical sciences, conduct an all India level online test to check knowledge of students in PCM, Psychometric and IQ awareness. An indicative list of Institutes offering education in marine engineering includes:

Marine Engineering & Research Institute, Kolkata

Marine Engineering & Research Institute, Mumbai

College Of Engineering (Andhra University)
Anna university, BE Marine Engineering

Maharashtra Academy of Naval Education and Training (MANET), Pune
Training Centre, The Shipping Corporation of India Ltd., Mumbai

Indian Maritime College,  Chennai                                   

LBS College of Advanced Maritime Studies and Maritime Studies and Research,  Mumbai

T.S. Chanakya, New Mumbai

Candidates aspiring for a degree course at TS Chanakya,  Marine Engineering Research Institutes Kolkata and Mumbai, should qualify the Joint Entrance Examination conducted by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), which assesses the candidate’s knowledge of physics, chemistry and mathematics. The examination is followed by personal interviews/counseling, where the interviewers assess the degree of alertness, and awareness of the external environment in the candidates and their suitability for such a career. The openings at these institutes are 156, 208 and 39 respectively. There are several Institutes which offer naval architecture course, IIT Kharagpur is one amongst them. Certain architecture Institutes specialize in Naval Architecture. 

Opportunities: After successful completion of BE/BTech in Marine Engineering/nautical science, one can join as fourth engineer or third assistant engineer. Since the job on the ship entails residing on ship for a major part of the year there are other exciting avenues as well. Job openings are both in Indian and global shipping firms. Marine Engineers are specifically qualified to join the Merchant Navy, which comprises of passenger vessels, cargo liners, tankers, ore carriers and other types of specialised ships.  Marine engineers are also employed by Engine production firms, Ship building firms, Research bodies, Ship design firms and also in the Indian Navy. Marine Engineers have complete responsibility 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.   The marine engineers can remain within the ambit of the shipping industry and join marine workshops at land i.e. at the ports. Alternatively, the Marine Engineers can join Ship manufacturing Companies. Their responsibilities involve development and designing of the engines related to ships and propulsion system. Naval architects are hired for overall design of ship. For those who want to join Government Service can join Directorate General Shipping of India. Those with entrepreneurial skills can enter the field of entrepreneurship. Those Marine Engineers who have a passion for academics can pursue post graduation and enter the field of academics where the demand for qualified academicians in this field is growing very fast.