A merchant navy CV is not the same as a regular job application resume. Shipping company HR teams and crew managers scan hundreds of applications every month — and a CV that doesn’t follow the expected maritime format often gets filtered out before a human even reads it, regardless of how qualified the applicant is.
This guide covers everything you need to know about writing a proper Merchant Navy CV in 2026 — the correct format, what to include in each section, which certificates to list, how to write a cover letter that works, and the most common mistakes that quietly cost candidates good jobs.
Why a Merchant Navy CV Is Different From a Regular Resume?
A merchant navy resume format should emphasize your sea service, certifications, and documents in a specific format. Maritime recruiters expect your CV to be instantly understood — not read like a general job application.
Specifically, a shipping company recruiter isn’t looking for a creative career narrative. They need to quickly answer three questions from your CV:
• What rank are you applying for and are you qualified for it?
• What certificates and documents do you hold — are they valid?
• How much relevant sea time do you have and on which vessel types?
Furthermore, most large shipping companies now use ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) that scan CVs electronically before a human sees them. A dedicated maritime resume format ensures your CV is instantly understood by recruiters and ATS systems alike. Consequently, a two-column design, fancy graphics, or tables often cause ATS systems to misread your content and reject the application automatically.
Merchant Navy CV Length
| Category | Recommended Length |
| Freshers — GP Rating, Deck Cadet, Engine Cadet | 1 page ideal, maximum 2 pages |
| Junior Officers — 3rd Officer, 4th Engineer | 1–2 pages |
| Senior Officers — Chief Officer, 2nd Engineer and above | 2–3 pages |
Longer is not better. Moreover, padding a fresher CV to three pages with irrelevant content actually works against you — it signals that the candidate doesn’t understand what maritime recruiters look for.
The Correct Merchant Navy CV Format
Use a single-column, plain text format with clearly labelled sections. Specifically:
• Font: Arial or Times New Roman, size 11–12
• Margins: 1 inch on all sides
• No graphics, no photos embedded in the body, no two-column layouts
• No tables or text boxes — ATS systems misread these
• Save as .docx or PDF — check each company’s preferred format
Section-by-Section Breakdown — What to Include
Section 1: Contact Information (Header)
Place this at the very top, clearly formatted:
• Full name (as on passport)
• Mobile number with country code for international applications
• Email address — professional, not a nickname-based email
• City and state of residence
• INDOS number
• Passport number and expiry date
Section 2: Career Objective (Freshers) or Professional Summary (Officers)
For freshers — keep this to 2–3 lines stating the position you’re applying for, your course and institute, and your key strength. Example:
“Seeking a Deck Cadet position onboard a bulk carrier or container ship. Completed Advanced Diploma in Nautical Science (ADNS) from Training Ship Varren, Navi Mumbai (DG Shipping approved, MTI No. 206087). Strong foundation in navigation, cargo operations, and STCW safety procedures.”
For experienced officers — replace the objective with a 3–4 line professional summary covering your rank, COC details, vessel types, and total sea service. Example:
“Third Officer holding Second Mate COC issued by DG Shipping, Government of India. Over 24 months of sea service on bulk carriers and container ships with Anglo-Eastern. Competent in ECDIS, voyage planning, cargo operations, and GMDSS. Seeking a 3rd Officer position on bulk carriers, available from October 2026.”
Section 3: Certificates and Documents
This is arguably the most important section for maritime HR. List these in order:
Primary Certificates:
• Certificate of Competency (COC) — state class, number, issuing authority, and validity date
• Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC) — number and issuing MMD
• INDOS number
STCW Certificates — list each individually with validity date:
• Basic Safety Training (BST) — Personal Survival Techniques, Firefighting, First Aid, Personal Safety
• Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats (PSC/RB)
• Advanced Firefighting (AFF)
• Medical First Aid (MFA)
• GMDSS — if applicable
• ECDIS type-specific training — if applicable
• Tanker endorsements — if applicable
Other Certificates:
• Radar Observer and ARPA
• Ship Security Awareness / Ship Security Officer — if applicable
• Medical fitness certificate — validity date
Additionally, always include the exact validity dates for every certificate. Expired certificates listed without noting their status are a red flag that costs applications.
Section 4: Sea Service / Work Experience
List your work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent assignment. For each entry include the company name, vessel name, vessel type, GRT/DWT, rank, and dates of service. Format each entry like this:
Company Name | Vessel Name | Vessel Type | GRT/DWT
Rank: Deck Cadet / 3rd Officer etc.
From: [Month Year] — To: [Month Year] | Sea Time: [X months]
Flag: [Panama / Marshall Islands / Indian etc.]
Main Cargo: [Container / Bulk / Crude etc.]
Furthermore, use action verbs to describe your duties rather than passive descriptions:
❌ Was responsible for watchkeeping
✅ Conducted navigational watchkeeping under STCW Officer of the Watch standards
❌ Helped with cargo operations
✅ Assisted Chief Officer in planning and executing cargo loading operations on container vessels
Your achievements should ideally showcase how you have been able to save money or increase revenue. For example — ‘Saved 20,000 USD for company by executing self-pilotage’ — this specific accomplishment demonstrates your value to potential employers.
Section 5: Education
List in reverse chronological order:
• Course name (DNS / ADNS / HND-ME / GP Rating)
• Institute name and DG Shipping MTI number
• Duration and completion date
• Any academic distinctions or awards
• 12th board, year, percentage
• 10th board, year, percentage
Section 6: Skills
Keep this section focused and maritime-specific. Avoid generic phrases like ‘good communication skills’ — every candidate says this. Instead, list concrete technical skills:
• ECDIS — state which software: Transas, Furuno, JRC etc.
• Radar and ARPA operation
• VDR and AIS operation
• Cargo planning and stability calculations — state software if known
• GMDSS communication
• Planned Maintenance System (PMS) software
• Microsoft Office (Word, Excel) — relevant for document handling
Section 7: Languages
• English — Professional working proficiency (mandatory)
• Hindi — Native
• Any additional languages with proficiency level
Section 8: Personal Details
• Date of birth
• Nationality
• Passport expiry date
• Visa details — US C1/D visa, Schengen etc. if held — these are genuinely valuable and often asked about
• Medical certificate validity
How to Write a Merchant Navy Cover Letter That Works
Keep the cover letter short — under 150 words. The email subject line should follow this format:
Subject: Application — Deck Cadet Position — Available Immediately — [Your Name]
Template for freshers:
Dear [Crew Manager / HR Team],
I am applying for a Deck Cadet position with [Company Name]. I have recently completed my Advanced Diploma in Nautical Science (ADNS) from Training Ship Varren, Navi Mumbai (DG Shipping approved, MTI No. 206087) and hold valid STCW Basic Safety Training and medical fitness certificates. My INDOS number is [XXXXX] and my CDC number is [XXXXX]. I am available to join immediately and am flexible on vessel type for my first contract. Please find my CV attached. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss my application at your convenience. Yours faithfully, [Full Name] | [Mobile] | [Email]
Keep it under 150 words. Crew managers appreciate brevity — they’re reviewing dozens of applications and a long cover letter rarely gets read in full.
Most Common Merchant Navy CV Mistakes — and How to Fix Them
Mistake 1: Using a Fancy Two-Column or Graphic CV Template
ATS systems misread two-column layouts, tables, and graphic-heavy designs. Consequently, your content may be parsed incorrectly and your CV rejected before a human reads it. Use a plain single-column format.
Mistake 2: Listing Certificates Without Validity Dates
Every certificate you list should have its validity date. Consequently, a certificate listed without a date looks either expired or carelessly prepared. Both impressions hurt your application.
Mistake 3: Generic Objective Statements
‘To work in a reputed organisation where I can utilise my skills’ is one of the most common opening lines on maritime CVs — and one of the least useful. Replace it with a specific, targeted objective statement as shown above.
Mistake 4: Not Mentioning Vessel Type and Size
Each sea service entry should include vessel name, type, GRT/DWT, and cargo type. Recruiters specifically look for experience on vessel types similar to their own fleet. Therefore, a CV that says ‘worked onboard ship’ tells them nothing useful.
Mistake 5: Inconsistent Dates
Gaps in sea service are noticed immediately. If you had a gap between contracts, mention it briefly — ‘paid off [date], awaiting next contract’ or ‘shore leave’ — rather than leaving an unexplained blank. Recruiters understand that gaps happen; unexplained gaps make them wonder.
Mistake 6: Wrong File Name
Save your CV file as: [YourName]_MerchantNavy_CV_2026.pdf — not ‘Resume’ or ‘CV’ or ‘Document1.’ A properly named file looks professional and makes it easy to find in a recruiter’s inbox.
Merchant Navy CV — Sample Structure at a Glance
FULL NAME
INDOS No. | CDC No. | Passport No. (Expiry)
Mobile | Email | City, State
CAREER OBJECTIVE
[2-3 lines — rank applying for, course completed, key strength]
CERTIFICATES AND DOCUMENTS
COC — Class [X] | No. [XXXX] | Valid till [Month Year]
STCW Basic Safety Training | Valid till [Month Year]
Medical Fitness Certificate | Valid till [Month Year]
[List all other STCW certificates with dates]
SEA SERVICE
[Company] | [Vessel] | [Type] | [GRT/DWT]
Rank: [Deck Cadet / 3rd Officer]
[From Month Year] — [To Month Year] | [X months]
EDUCATION
[Course Name] — [Institute], [MTI No.]
[From Year] — [To Year]
12th [Board] — [Year] — [Percentage]
10th [Board] — [Year] — [Percentage]
SKILLS
[List technical maritime skills specifically]
LANGUAGES
English — Professional | Hindi — Native
PERSONAL DETAILS
DOB | Nationality | Passport Expiry | Visa Details
A Note for Freshers With No Sea Experience
If you’re applying for your first contract after completing GP Rating, ADNS, DNS, or HND-ME — don’t try to inflate a CV that doesn’t yet have sea service. Moreover, recruiters for first-contract positions know exactly what a fresher CV looks like and what to expect. What they’re actually evaluating is:
• Whether your certificates are complete and valid
• Whether your institute is DG Shipping approved — always mention MTI number
• Whether your medical certificate is current
• Whether you can communicate clearly in English
A clean, honest, well-structured CV beats a padded one every time at the fresher level. At Training Ship Varren, we help all our students with CV preparation as part of our placement support. Call 1800 268 2891 or visit trainingshipvarren.com/admission-inquiry/ for guidance.
FAQ
Q1: What should a merchant navy CV include?
A merchant navy CV should include contact details with INDOS and CDC numbers, a career objective or professional summary, a complete list of certificates with validity dates (COC, STCW, medical), sea service history in reverse chronological order with vessel name/type/GRT and rank, education qualifications with DG Shipping institute MTI number, technical skills, languages, and personal details including passport and visa information.
Q2: What is the correct merchant navy CV format?
The correct format is a single-column, plain text layout using Arial or Times New Roman font, size 11–12, with 1-inch margins. Avoid two-column designs, graphics, tables, and text boxes — these are misread by ATS systems. Save as .docx or PDF depending on the company’s preference. Length should be 1–2 pages for cadets and ratings, and 2–3 pages for officers.
Q3: How do I write a merchant navy CV with no experience?
Focus on making your certificates section complete and your objective statement specific. List your completed course, institute name and DG Shipping MTI number, all STCW certificates with validity dates, your CDC and INDOS numbers, and your medical fitness certificate validity. A clean, honest one-page CV with complete documents beats a padded two-page CV for first-contract applications.
Q4: What certificates should be listed in a merchant navy CV?
List all relevant certificates with validity dates: Certificate of Competency (COC), Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC), STCW Basic Safety Training (PST, Firefighting, First Aid, Personal Safety), Proficiency in Survival Craft, Advanced Firefighting, Medical First Aid, GMDSS, ECDIS type-specific training, Radar/ARPA, and any tanker endorsements. Always include the validity date for every certificate.
Q5: How long should a merchant navy CV be?
Recommended length is 1–2 pages for cadets and ratings, and 2–3 pages for officers. Longer CVs are not better — a padded fresher CV signals that the candidate doesn’t understand what maritime recruiters look for. Keep it concise, complete, and correctly formatted.
Q6: How do I write a merchant navy cover letter?
Keep the cover letter short — under 150 words. Start the email subject line with the position, vessel type, and availability date. The first line should state exactly what you’re applying for, your COC or course details, and your experience. Attach your CV and close professionally. Crew managers appreciate brevity — long cover letters rarely get read in full.
Q7: What mistakes should I avoid in a merchant navy CV?
Common mistakes include using two-column or graphic CV templates (ATS systems misread these), listing certificates without validity dates, writing generic objective statements, not mentioning vessel type and GRT for each sea service entry, unexplained gaps in sea service, and saving the file with a generic name like ‘Resume’ or ‘CV.’
Q8: Does Training Ship Varren help with merchant navy CV preparation?
Yes. Training Ship Varren provides CV preparation support as part of its 100% placement assistance for all eligible students who complete DG Shipping approved courses at the institute. Our counsellors help cadets structure their first maritime CV, prepare for company interviews, and navigate the application process with leading Indian and international shipping companies. Call 1800 268 2891 for details.
