Table of Contents
Introduction
After finishing your pre-sea course and securing sponsorship, many new cadets expect to step straight onto a ship. But in reality, many face a waiting period in the merchant navy before their first onboard appointment. This time can be frustrating, uncertain, and a test of patience.
In this guide, we examine why a waiting period happens, how long it usually is, what factors affect it, and most importantly the strategies to use that waiting time wisely. If you’re in the queue, this is for you.
Why Does a Waiting Period Exist?
Several reasons combine to create this delay. Knowing them helps you manage expectations and reduce stress.
1. Imbalance between supply and demand
Every year, many more cadets graduate than there are seats on ships. The number of fresh cadets entering the system often exceeds the number of open berths. This mismatch leads to bottlenecks.
Also, some shipping firms prefer to delay boarding to align with ship schedules or maintenance windows.
2. Company policies & fleet size
The company sponsoring you matters. Firms with large fleets often have shorter waits; smaller operators or those with fewer vessels may take longer to onboard cadets.
Delays in crew changes, refits, or route cycles also influence boarding schedules.
3. External constraints & global factors
Events like the port restrictions, visa delays, regulatory changes, or logistical issues significantly extend waiting times.
Travel rules, crew change restrictions, or global disruptions can cascade delays across many cadets.
4. Administrative or procedural delays
Medical clearances, documentation, licensing, and internal approvals can slow things down. Sometimes, the delay is not technical but bureaucratic.
Typical Duration of Waiting Period
The waiting period is not fixed, it varies.
- For many cadets, a minimum waiting time is around 6 months, even with good sponsorship.
- In favorable cases or smaller firms, it may be as short as 3 months.
- On the flip side, cadets in certain companies (or in tight job markets) may wait up to 1–2 years before joining their first ship.
- Many sources note that no matter how good a sponsoring company is, the majority of cadets wait at least 6 months before signing on.
- Some maritime rumor / community forums suggest that with companies like MSC, cadets see waiting periods in the 6–8 months range.
So when someone promises immediate boarding, be skeptical. The waiting period is part of the system; it’s not a bug.
How to Use the Waiting Period Productively
Let’s flip waiting from frustration into opportunity. Here are practical steps you can take:
1. Take a shore job (if eligible)
Especially for GME / B.Tech marine graduates, working a short contract or part-time shore role helps you stay active, learn workplace discipline, and earn.
For DNS cadets (12th pass), job options are more limited, but even internships, tutoring, or technical support roles can occupy your time well.
Also Read: 4 Must-Apply Sponsorship Exams for Merchant Navy in 2026
2. Study & upskill
This is a golden time to increase your technical strength:
- Revise your core subjects (electrical, navigation, machinery).
- Take certification courses (STCW, safety, specialized modules).
- Learn computing, software, marine tools, or regulatory updates.
Being theoretically strong increases your confidence and performance once onboard.
3. Physical fitness & health routines
Ship life demands physical stamina and resilience. Use this waiting phase to build:
- Cardio, strength training, swimming.
- Healthy eating & routines.
- Good sleeping habits.
Again, not doing this means you’ll struggle in early days at sea.
4. Travel, socialize, build outlook
Life at sea limits social time and exploration. Use your waiting days to travel (within safety and budget), meet people, and broaden your perspective.
These experiences help your personality, confidence, and people skills — qualities that officers notice.
5. Mental preparation & networking
- Watch YouTube / read vlogs about life onboard.
- Talk to seniors who have sailed — ask them how their first months were.
- Prepare expectations: from loneliness to work structure.
- Stay mentally strong — waiting times often lead to doubt, pressure, and second-guessing.
Being mentally prepared helps you absorb onboard training faster.
Common Questions & Myths
Here are some frequent doubts and clarifications around waiting period merchant navy:
| Question | Answer / Clarification |
| Does sponsorship eliminate waiting time? | No. Even in sponsored programs, waiting exists. Sponsorship often ensures placement when space opens, but timing depends on many factors. |
| Do some companies have negligible waiting? | A few claim very short wait, especially smaller or niche firms, but even then many cadets report 3–6 months as the realistic baseline. |
| Can the waiting period be more than a year? | Yes. In firms with limited decks or narrow rotation, or during crises, waits beyond a year are reported. |
| Will I be paid while waiting? | Usually not. Most companies pay only during active ship contracts, not while you wait ashore. |
Why Patience Matters & What Mindset to Hold
- The waiting period is part of your initiation. It tests persistence, discipline, and seriousness.
- How you behave and learn in this downtime often influences how your superiors perceive you onboard.
- Use time actively even small gains in knowledge, fitness, or mindset make big differences later.
Conclusion
The waiting period in the merchant navy is real and often unavoidable. It’s born out of industry supply-demand imbalances, company policies, external constraints, and administrative cycles. For many cadets, the wait ranges from 6 months to over a year.
But here’s the key: your waiting period doesn’t have to be wasted. You can build your academic strength, physical fitness, mental resilience, and professional character in that time. When your time to board finally comes, you’ll enter not only ready, but stronger.
