Top 10 universities to pursue Merchant Navy courses.

Top maritime institute with global accreditation. 

  There are over 50,000 merchant ships in the world, and even though they’re managed by over 2 million seafarers, they’re still understaffed. This means, if you’re planning to start your merchant navy career at this point, you’re almost guaranteed to get a good job. But becoming a merchant navy officer is a tough task, and it is even harder to climb through the merchant navy ranks. So applying to the best institutes for Merchant Navy courses certainly makes sense. But what are some of the Top universities to pursue Merchant Navy course? Read a bit further to find top universities to pursue Merchant Navy course  

Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific- Philippines 

 Established in 1998, the Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific (MAAP) is located in Bataan, Philippines. This institution is operated by the Associated Marine Officers’ and Seamen’s Union of the Philippines and aims to offer an all-rounded maritime education to its students. 

 MAAP offers several Merchant Navy courses but is especially focused on marine transportation, marine engineering, naval architecture, and shipping management. 

 MAAP does not conduct a merchant navy entrance exam; instead, they conduct a series of aptitude tests to determine physical and mental soundness. Selected Merchant Navy students enjoy benefits such as advanced simulators and real-time on-board training. 

 MAAP is sponsored by nearly 40 organizations, most of whom are known to frequently scout talented merchant navy officers. 

Rotterdam Mainport Institute- Netherlands

 Rotterdam Mainport Institute is located in Rotterdam, Netherlands, and is yet another university that doesn’t conduct a merchant navy entrance exam. This institute offers a range of Merchant Navy courses, including marine officer, marine engineering, nautical studies, logistics management, port management officer, etc. 

 The best part about RMI is that it is located at one of the largest and busiest ports in the world. Meaning, students receive far too many opportunities for hands-on experience, and there are also plenty of job opportunities right after course completion. 

 Each course lasts around 6 months, but some courses may take longer to complete. As for the merchant navy courses fees, they’re subject to change, hence, it is recommended to reach out to the admission office. 

Massachusetts Maritime Academy- U.S.A.

 Massachusetts Maritime Academy (MMA) was founded in 1891 and is the second oldest maritime academy in the United States. MMA follows a military-style method of teaching and aims to build teamwork and leadership skills. 

   MMA has the regular merchant navy courses, such as marine engineering and transportation. It also has courses like international maritime business management, facilities engineering, and emergency management. 

  Furthermore, selected candidates also get the opportunity to develop their skills on Institute owned  commercial freighters. 

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy- U.S.A.

The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) is one of the five U.S. federal service academies. Making it the most prestigious merchant navy academy in the United States.  

  Much like the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, USMMA too follows a militaristic style of teaching and has a strict merchant navy uniform code. Despite its extremely strict nature, it is one of the few merchant navy courses to feature a “Sea Year.” 

  During the sea year, cadets spend 12 months aboard U.S. flag merchant ships and gain practical knowledge. Many cadets who study at USMMA go on to serve in the U.S. military or the federal government. 

Australian Maritime College- Australia

  The Australian Maritime College (AMC) is a step above the Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific and offers world-class facilities and research centers. Located in Tasmania, Australia, this college offers facilities such as a towing tank, cavitation research laboratory, simulator, full-mission ship’s bridge simulator, etc. 

AMC offers a number of courses for the merchant navy, ranging from vocational courses to undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. Furthermore, Tasmania’s diverse oceanic conditions are a great spot for practical learning experiences. 

Singapore Maritime Academy- Singapore 

Singapore Maritime Academy (SMA) is the primary maritime institute of Singapore and also the best one in the country. This academy offers several maritime diplomas, specialist diplomas, and Certificate of Competency (CoC) courses, among others. 

  SMA courses are developed by consulting industry experts and maritime authorities to ensure they’re up-to- date. This sets SMA apart, and it is also one of the prime reasons why SMA graduates are extremely sought-after. If you’re looking for a Merchant Navy academy with strong employment prospects, SMA should be the first on your list. 

Canadian Coast Guard College- Canada

As the name suggests, the Canadian Coast Guard College (CCGC) focuses on training officers for the Canadian Coast Guard. But candidates aspiring for a Merchant Navy qualification are also welcome. 

 The reason is that CCGC focuses on fundamental skills and knowledge that can be easily applied to different maritime careers. Additionally, CCGC now houses the Wärtsilä training engine, which is one of its kind in Canada. Other than this, CCGC also has 7 other world-class simulator systems for hands-on experience. 

CCGC is the best place to learn about maritime law and other aspects of maritime practices. 

Hiroshima National College of Maritime Technology- Japan

  Hiroshima National College of Maritime Technology (HNCMT) is a 110 year old maritime college that is located near the Seto Inland Sea. This college offers a range of Merchant Navy courses and takes up to 5 years and 6 months for completion. 

  Japan has the fifth-strongest maritime force in the world, so it’s understandable that HNCMT has world-class simulation systems and an equally good course curriculum. Above all, HNCMT is perhaps the only college with a 100% employment rate for graduates. 

Korea Maritime and Ocean University- South Korea

 Korea Maritime and Ocean University (KMOU) is located in Busan, which is one of the busiest ports in the world. KMOU offers several programs, including postgraduate programs and non-degree programs such as maritime welfare, maritime decarbonation, international maritime law, etc. 

What makes KMOU special is that, it is the only maritime institute in South Korea. This means KMOU has the monopoly on Merchant Navy job placements and stellar candidates can easily land a job as a Merchant Navy officer or whatever else they prefer. 

World Maritime University- Sweden

 The World Maritime University (WMU) is located in Malmö, Sweden, and is considered the most reputable maritime university in the world. This university has produced over 5807 alumni across 170 countries and was created by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). 

  WMU offers postgraduate and graduate courses for the Merchant Navy, and it also offers several research opportunities for sustainable maritime practices. WMU was founded by IMO, a United Nations specialized agency, so it has the best placement cell in the world. 

Additionally , WMU believes in gender equality and positively welcomes women.

Key takeaways

• The Merchant Navy is one of the fields that’ll forever be in demand, but it is also a demanding job. 
• There are over 50,000 merchant ships in the world, and these ships are manned by almost 2 million seafarers. 
• Even with almost 2 million seafarers, merchant ships are facing a shortage of officers. This is the right time to start your Merchant Navy career by reading Top universities to pursue Merchant Navy course.

So, that was our list of the top universities to pursue Merchant Navy course. If you’re looking to join merchant navy but don’t have an idea where to begin, click here to get started. 

FAQs

Q1: How to join merchant navy?

Ans: Joining the merchant navy includes several steps, which are possible to clear through research. But if you wish to save time, reach out to a consulting firm (like ourselves). It’ll be our pleasure to help you start your career in the Merchant Navy. 

Q2: What’s the criteria for merchant navy eligibility.

Ans: There are several things necessary for joining the Merchant Navy, but the most important ones are, high school education or equivalent, medical soundness, and English proficiency. 

Q3: What is the merchant navy age limit? 

Ans: In most countries, the average age limit to start learning Merchant Navy is 16 to 25 years.