Mumbai’s status as India’s busiest port city has made it the natural home for maritime training since the early 20th century — Training Ship Rahaman traces its roots back to 1910, making it one of the oldest continuously operating maritime schools in the country. Today, the wider Mumbai region (including Navi Mumbai, Karjat, and Lonavala, all within commuting or campus-transfer distance) hosts government central university campuses, DG Shipping-approved private academies, and post-sea training institutes — giving students in the region access to nearly every pre-sea and post-sea pathway without leaving the state.
India’s most recognised maritime training campus, offering BSc Nautical Science, DNS, MSc Commercial Shipping and Logistics, and PhD programs. Admission is through IMU CET. Fees run roughly ₹6.6–8.65 lakh for the full 3-year BSc Nautical Science course.
The Marine Engineering and Research Institute, Mumbai, is one of India’s oldest government maritime institutes, run under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways as part of IMU’s Mumbai Port Campus at Hay Bunder, Mazagon. MERI focuses on pre-sea training for the engine department, primarily BTech Marine Engineering, and also runs modular/STCW courses. Fees are among the most affordable in the sector, typically ₹9–11 lakh for the full BTech course. Admission is through IMU CET.
Also part of the IMU Mumbai Port Campus, LBS CAMSAR specialises in post-sea training — advanced competency courses for working officers pursuing higher Certificate of Competency levels, rather than fresh pre-sea entrants. Worth knowing about if you’re researching career progression beyond your first CoC, not just entry-level admission.
Established on 15 June 2009 and owned by the Anglo-Eastern Group — a ship management company overseeing a fleet of 600–700+ vessels globally. AEMA offers Deck Cadet (BSc Nautical Science-aligned) and ETO courses, with a strong pipeline directly into Anglo-Eastern’s own managed fleet. ETO course fees run around ₹4.1 lakh. The academy’s training centre (AEMTC) is DNV-certified.
One of India’s oldest private maritime institutes, affiliated with the University of Mumbai and DG Shipping-approved. SIMS is owned by Executive Ship Management, Singapore, and offers near-guaranteed placement onto its own fleet, alongside sponsorship ties with BSM/Bernhard Schulte, Chellaram, MSC, MOL, MSI, Synergy, Mercator, and Fleet Management. Offers DNS, GME, and ETO courses.
Affiliated with Great Eastern Shipping Company, one of India’s largest private shipping companies. Offers Deck Cadet and ETO courses, with fees around ₹4.3 lakh for ETO and roughly ₹8–12 lakh for the Nautical Science track.
One of India’s oldest maritime training institutions, tracing its history to 1910 when it began as a charitable Marine School founded by Haji Ismail Yusuf of the Bombay Steam Navigation Company. Now operates as a modern Deck Cadet training academy with sponsorship ties to major shipping companies.
A private marine engineering college in the Mumbai region, offering BTech Marine Engineering with fees typically in the ₹3–10 lakh range, positioned as a more affordable private alternative in the greater Mumbai area.
Institute | Location | Primary Course | Approx. Fees |
IMU Navi Mumbai (T.S. Chanakya) | Navi Mumbai | BSc Nautical Science | ₹6.6–8.65 lakh |
MERI Mumbai (IMU Mumbai Port Campus) | Mumbai (Mazagon) | BTech Marine Engineering | ₹9–11 lakh |
Anglo-Eastern Maritime Academy | Karjat | ETO / Deck Cadet | ₹4.1 lakh (ETO) |
Samundra Institute of Maritime Studies | Lonavala | DNS / GME / ETO | Mid-to-premium (varies by course) |
Great Eastern Institute of Maritime Studies | Lonavala | Deck Cadet / ETO | ₹4.3 lakh (ETO); ₹8–12 lakh (Nautical Science) |
B.P. Marine Academy | Panvel | BTech Marine Engineering | ₹3–10 lakh |
Training Ship Rahaman | Mumbai | Deck Cadet | Mid-range |
Fees vary by intake year and admission category — always verify current figures directly with the institute.
Most Mumbai-region merchant navy colleges follow the same core admission pathway:
Beyond the well-known names above, Mumbai also hosts several smaller, DG Shipping-approved training centres focused specifically on STCW, ratings, and short-term certification courses rather than full degree programs — including centres like Pentagon Maritime Training and Research Institute, Ocean Education Research Centre (OERC), and Don Bosco Maritime Academy. These aren’t a substitute for a full BSc Nautical Science or BTech Marine Engineering degree, but they’re worth knowing about for GP Rating aspirants, working seafarers needing STCW refreshers, or ratings looking to add certifications. As with any institute, verify DG Shipping approval for the specific course before enrolling — smaller centres vary more widely in course breadth and approval status than the major degree-granting institutes above.
Officially Navi Mumbai — it’s IMU’s Navi Mumbai campus at Nerul, though it’s widely referred to simply as being “in Mumbai” given the region’s tight connectivity.
Both are part of IMU’s Mumbai Port Campus at Hay Bunder, but MERI focuses on pre-sea training (fresh candidates), while LBS CAMSAR specialises in post-sea training for working officers pursuing higher CoC levels.
It’s required for IMU campuses and most IMU-affiliated private colleges, but institutes like Anglo-Eastern Maritime Academy and Samundra Institute often run their own selection process for company-sponsored ETO or DNS seats.
Anglo-Eastern Maritime Academy and Samundra Institute of Maritime Studies both stand out, since each is owned by a major ship management company with a direct placement pipeline onto its own managed fleet.
