How to become a seafarer in Pakistan after school

Officer: maritime academy or college

• Pakistan Marine Academy (PMA), a government academy in Karachi, trains deck (nautical) and marine engineering cadets.
  Source: Pakistan Marine Academy: Admissions Open (Session 2026-27), 64th Batch of Cadets
• PMA cadet entry is open to unmarried male citizens of Pakistan.
  Source: Pakistan Marine Academy: Admissions Open (Session 2026-27), 64th Batch of Cadets
• Cadet applicants must be no older than 20 on the cut-off date (31 December 2025 for the latest intake).
  Source: Pakistan Marine Academy: Admissions Open (Session 2026-27), 64th Batch of Cadets
• Applicants from FATA, Gilgit-Baltistan, AJK and Balochistan get one extra year (up to 21).
  Source: Pakistan Marine Academy: Admissions Open (Session 2026-27), 64th Batch of Cadets
• Applicants need F.Sc Pre-Engineering or A Level with physics, chemistry and mathematics and at least 55% marks.
  Source: Pakistan Marine Academy: Admissions Open (Session 2026-27), 64th Batch of Cadets
• Diploma (DAE) holders and applicants without the required subject combination are not eligible.
  Source: Pakistan Marine Academy: Admissions Open (Session 2026-27), 64th Batch of Cadets
• Colour-blind candidates are not eligible.
  Source: Pakistan Marine Academy: Admissions Open (Session 2026-27), 64th Batch of Cadets
• The branch (nautical science or marine engineering) is allocated after joining, by merit, medical fitness, choice and seats.
  Source: Pakistan Marine Academy: Associate Degree Program (admission of cadets)
• Another engineer route is a marine engineering apprenticeship for applicants no older than twenty-one.
  Source: Marine Engineers Examination Rules
• Marine engineering apprentices do three years of industrial training in an approved marine engineering workshop.
  Source: Marine Engineers Examination Rules

Rating: rating course

• Pre-sea training for general purpose ratings (GP-III) is run by the Seamen Training Wing of PMA.
  Source: Pakistan Marine Academy: GP-III Training for Ratings
• GP-III applicants need a Secondary School Certificate (Matric) or equivalent.
  Source: Pakistan Marine Academy: GP-III Training for Ratings
• GP-III applicants must be 18 to 25 years old when the course starts.
  Source: Pakistan Marine Academy: GP-III Training for Ratings
• The GP-III course lasts five months and runs twice a year.
  Source: Pakistan Marine Academy: GP-III Training for Ratings
• Approved institutes also run the Efficient Deck Hand course (able seafarer deck, STCW II/5) and able seafarer engine (STCW III/5).
  Source: DG Ports & Shipping: List of courses approved and courses with name of institutes (12 September 2023)

Exams and certification

• PMA selection includes an entrance test with a pass mark of 50%.
  Source: Pakistan Marine Academy: Admissions Open (Session 2026-27), 64th Batch of Cadets
• Final PMA selection is by merit: F.Sc marks, entry test, medical, physical efficiency test and interview.
  Source: Pakistan Marine Academy: Admissions Open (Session 2026-27), 64th Batch of Cadets
• A candidate for the first deck officer certificate (Class IV) must be at least twenty years old.
  Source: Examination and Certification of Deck Officers and Safe Manning Rules, 2006
• A candidate for the first marine engineer officer certificate (Class IV) must be at least twenty years old.
  Source: Marine Engineers Examination Rules
• The Mercantile Marine Department collects applications and fees for certificate of competency examinations.
  Source: Mercantile Marine Department: Functions
• The Mercantile Marine Department conducts the eye test required for deck and engine certificates of competency.
  Source: Mercantile Marine Department: Functions

Documents in order

1. The Shipping Office arranges the seafarer's medical examination.
   Source: Government Shipping Office, Karachi: Organization
2. PMA cadets receive certificates of IMO-recognised pre-sea mandatory courses.
   Source: Pakistan Marine Academy: Associate Degree Program (admission of cadets)
3. On completion, PMA cadets receive a Seaman Service Book (SSB) from the Government of Pakistan.
   Source: Pakistan Marine Academy: Associate Degree Program (admission of cadets)
4. The SSB and seafarer identity document are issued by the Government Shipping Office.
   Source: Government Shipping Office, Karachi: Organization

Cadet training at sea

• PMA cadets do 2 years of residential training at the academy in Karachi.
  Source: Pakistan Marine Academy: Associate Degree Program (admission of cadets)
• Graduates receive an associate degree from NED University of Engineering & Technology, Karachi.
  Source: Pakistan Marine Academy: Associate Degree Program (admission of cadets)
• A deck cadet needs thirty-six months of sea service before the Class IV deck officer examination.
  Source: Examination and Certification of Deck Officers and Safe Manning Rules, 2006
• At least six months of the last twelve months at sea must be spent on supervised navigational watchkeeping.
  Source: Examination and Certification of Deck Officers and Safe Manning Rules, 2006

Approved training institutions

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