IMS-INFO-GP3-003

(Revised on: 16-05-2005)

INSTITUTE OF MARITIME STUDIES

Prospects for GP-III Ratings (Merchant Navy)

The sea offers a rewarding career with

prospects for a bright future and ample
opportunities for professional and financial
enhancement. The Merchant Navy is an
international
profession.
Although
Pakistan has a small merchant fleet, there
is a growing demand for seafarers in the
international market. Shipping companies
and ship managers from various foreign
countries are employing crew from all
maritime
nations,
which
includes
a
reasonable demand from Pakistan.
A seagoing career demands a high
standard of discipline with sound physical
and mental health to be able to face the
challenges of the sea. Seafarers require to
be trained in accordance with the
International Maritime Organization (IMO)
Convention on Standards of Training,
Certification and Watch keeping 1978 as
amended (STCW-95).
The Institute of Maritime Studies, Lahore
(IMS), is approved by the Govt. of
Pakistan, Ministry of Ports & Shipping,
Karachi. The Institute is well equipped for
training of nautical, deck and engine
departments.
A
library
of
maritime
subjects on computer (CBT) and books are
available for students.
The training has started since 1995 and
until now ten (10) batches of Deck Cadets
and thirteen (13) batches of GP-III and two
(2) batch of BE Marine Engineers have
been trained at the IMS.
The duration of GP-III pre sea training is
five months.
The fees schedule for the course is as
follows:Admission Fee Rs. 20,000
Monthly Fee/5months Rs. 80,000 (16000 x
5)
Total Rs. 100,000
Additional expenses on transportation
messing and lodging at various training
sites and cities shall be borne by the
trainee concerned. Stay in the IMS hostel

The candidates may apply in various

shipping companies in Pakistan and abroad
for seeking employment on foreign going
ships. IMS will also refer seafarers to
various shipping companies who then may
employ our fresh GP3 on board their
principals ships.
All seafarers are provided with the
following
facilities for the period of their contract on
board:
Transportation to/from the ship with
baggage
allowance as permissible by the airline rules
for
Seafarers.
Free accommodation on board with food.
Uniforms and protective apparel as per
rules.
Medical facilities/treatment.
Compensation for loss of baggage, injury
and death will be awarded to the next of
kin, according to the rules of the crewing
agreement & insurance.
On initial contracts the candidate is
employed as a regular Rating whose gross
monthly salary would range from $200 to
$500, which includes overtime, earned
leave wages etc the range depending on the
type of contract, owner and vessel served
on.
After a minimum sea service of 9 months
the candidate shall also be eligible to
attend and qualify for watch-keeping
support level and after another nine months
sea service the seafarer is eligible to attend
and qualify GP-I/EDH examination and can
be promoted to the rank of Support Level
/Bonus salary $600 to $1200 per month.
Candidates
holding
qualifications
of
Intermediate and above shall also have the
option of making their career as Deck
Officer by putting in 36 months sea service
on deck and thence be eligible to study and
qualify as Deck Class IV or III. The initial
rank as 3 rd Officer receives a gross salary
of $1600 / $2000. Over the next 3-4 years
the officer can progress to obtain Class-I or
Masters
certificate
and
on
eventual
promotion to master whose salary is in

is optional and may be availed at

reasonable rates (i.e. Rs 3000-4000 per
month).
After qualifying, the candidates will be
required to obtain their Seaman Service
Book (SSB) from the Government Shipping
Office, Karachi. After obtaining SSB, the
candidate will be eligible to initially sail as
GP-III or an ordinary seaman

excess of $4000. This depends entirely on

the
initiative
and
capability
of
the
individuals. After attaining the rank of
Master, there are also lucrative marine
administrative positions available ashore
some of them are:
The ship management company.
Marine surveyor.
Lecturer in teaching Maritime subjects.
Cargo forwarding companies.
Freight forwarding shipping companies.
Marine insurance.

14-Westwood Colony Thokar Niaz Baig, Lahore, Pakistan. Tel:042-5426619, 20 Fax: 042-5426618
e-mail: info@imspk.net URL: http://www.imspk.net