Complete Merchant navy Knowledge Course

MERCHANT NAVY ENTRANCE EXAM (IMU-CET, GME, GP, ETO)

MARINE KNOWLEDGE 2018

RIFE CONSULTANCY

Content: ❖ Introduction- Merchant Navy ❖ IMO & D.G. Shipping ❖ Career Graph in Merchant Navy ❖ Types of Ships ❖ Parts of Ship ❖ Important Navigational Equipment ❖ Ports of India and World ❖ International Sea Routs ❖ Famous Shipping Canals ❖ National & International Maritime Day ❖ Advantages and disadvantages of Merchant Navy

❖ INTRODUCTION “It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are...” –E.E. Cumming

Trade encourages the exchange of ideas new inventions. 90% of international tradeby volume is due to shipping. The standard of living in the present scenario and the jobs and livelihood of billions depend on ships and shipping.

Water transport is the cheapest form of transportation as compared to others. But at the same time ships happen to be extremely expensive constructions. It is not surprising that people who handle these vehicles and sophisticated machinery should be very much competent.

The Merchant Navy is a non-combatant commercial fleet, which deals with transporting cargo and passengers by sea. There are different types of vessels such as Passenger Vessels, Cargo liners, Oil tankers as well as other special types of vessels.

Merchant navy is a career full of adventure and long voyages to different beautiful places. In spite of a lot of hard work and long absence from home, the Merchant navy professionals must have a professional ability, competence, and dedication to the duty onboard the ship. It is the Mariner’s responsibility to protect the Cargo, Passengers, the environment and ensure the commercial success of the enterprise. They have to keep abreast with the ever-changing technology, laws of different countries and also the customs and traditions followed in other countries.

Also, they earn a high salary, with other numerous benefits and promising promotional opportunities. This makes the merchant navy a lucrative and exciting career.

The ships may belong to various private and Government Shipping companies. The Merchant Navy is the backbone of International Trade carrying mainly cargo across the Globe.

**Important Points** ❖ Over 90% of world trade is carried by Shipping. ❖ It is the cheapest and safest way of transportation. ❖ It is the most environment friendly way of transportation. ❖ There are around 53000 ships registered around the world providing employment to over a million seafarers. ❖ International Maritime Organization has managed to create a relatively effective organizational structure and regulations for the International Shipping. ❖ Merchant Navy is also called as “Second line of defense” ❖ India ranks 15th in the world in terms of total DWT. ❖ India currently supplies around 12.8% of officers and around 14.5% of Ratings to the world Seafaring Community. ❖ Merchant Navy is also known as Backbone of International Trade.

A United States World War 2 recruiting poster forthe merchant marine Picture Credits: Wikipedia

Nature of Job: Earlier, Merchant Navy was considered the second most dangerous profession in the world.

Dangers of drowning, Hypothermia, fire, explosion, poisoning by toxic gases, asphyxiating, bodily injury, and loss of health were the main dangers in this profession. Even no trained medical help was available onboard Now many changes in technology, law, regulation, procedures, and practices have made a career in the Merchant Navy safe, rewarding, and satisfying.

To carry cargo from one port and deliver it unalerted and undamaged at the destination port in time and ensuring the safety of life, environment and cargo is the priority that can be ensured by ensuring the safety of the ship.

Difference between Merchant Navy and Indian Navy Merchant Navy •

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Merchant Navy is the term for commercial marine services. Such commercial activities include both shipping of cargo and people across various destinations in the world.

Merchant marine activities are not indigenous or native to any one country but are worldwide.

Merchant marine has to adhere to certain rules and regulations framed by governing bodies to ensure stability in the activities carried out.

Merchant Navy Ship

Defense Navy •

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Defense Navy refers to nations’ maritime military wing. Naval Ships are those which are used to protect the water boundaries of a nation from gettingattacked.

A career in the defense navy would involve services for the respective country through duty on warships.

Every nation with a waterline has its own navy service with its own code of rules and stipulations.

Defense Navy Ship

❖ IMO (International Maritime Organization)

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The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for regulating shipping.

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The IMO was established following agreement at a UN conference held in Geneva in 1948 and the IMO came into existence in 1958, meeting for the first time in 1959.

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Headquartered in London, United Kingdom.

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The IMO currently has 174 member states and three associate members.

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The IMO's primary purpose is to develop and maintain a comprehensive regulatory framework for shipping includes safety, environmental concerns, legal matters, technical cooperation, maritime security, and the efficiency of shipping.

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The current Secretary-General is Kitack Lim (South Korea), elected for a four-year term at the 106th session of the IMO Council in June 2015.

INTERNATIONAL LAWS 1. Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Adoption: 1 November 1974 Entry into force: 25 May 1980 • •

The first version was adopted in 1914, in response to the Titanic disaster, the second in 1929, the third in 1948, and the fourth in 1960.

The main objective is to specify minimum standards for the construction, equipment, and operation of ships, compatible with their safety.

Technical provisions: • Chapter I - General Provisions • Chapter II-1 - Construction - Subdivision and stability, machinery and electrical installations • Chapter II-2 - Fire protection, fire detection, and fire extinction • Chapter III - Life-saving appliances and arrangements • Chapter IV – Radiocommunications • Chapter V - Safety of navigation • Chapter VI - Carriage of Cargoes • Chapter VII - Carriage of dangerous goods • Chapter VIII - Nuclear ships • Chapter IX - Management for the Safe Operation of Ships • Chapter X - Safety measures for high-speed craft • Chapter XI-1 - Special measures to enhance maritime safety • Chapter XI-2 - Special measures to enhance maritime security • Chapter XII - Additional safety measures for bulk carriers • Chapter XIII - Verification of compliance • Chapter XIV - Safety measures for ships operating in polar waters

2. International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) Adoption: 1973 (Convention), 1978 (1978 Protocol), 1997 (Protocol - Annex VI) Entry into force: 2 October 1983 (Annexes I and II).

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The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) is the main international convention covering the prevention of pollution of the marine environment by ships from operational or accidental causes.

• The MARPOL Convention was adopted on 2 November 1973 at IMO. The Protocol of 1978 was adopted in response to a spate of tanker accidents in 1976-1977. As the 1973 MARPOL Convention had not yet entered into force, the 1978 MARPOL Protocol absorbed the parent Convention. The combined instrument entered into force on 2 October 1983. In 1997, a Protocol was adopted to amend the Convention and a new Annex VI was added which entered into force on 19 May 2005. MARPOL has been updated by amendments through the years.

• Currently includes six technical Annexes. Special Areas with strict controls on operational discharges are included in most Annexes.

Annex I: Regulations for the Prevention of Pollution by Oil Annex II: Regulations for the Control of Pollution by Noxious Liquid Substances in Bulk Annex III: Prevention of Pollution by Harmful Substances Carried by Sea in Packaged Form Annex IV: Prevention of Pollution by Sewage from Ships Annex V: Prevention of Pollution by Garbage from Ships Annex VI: Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships (entered into force 19 May 2005)

3. International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) Adoption: 7 July 1978 Entry into force: 28 April 1984 Major revisions in 1995 and 2010 • • •

The 1978 STCW Convention was the first to establish basic requirements on training, certification, and watchkeeping for seafarers on an international level.

The Convention prescribes minimum standards relating to training, certification, and watchkeeping for seafarers which countries are obliged to meet or exceed.

The Manila amendments to the STCW Convention and Code were adopted on 25 June 2010, marking a major revision of the STCW Convention and Code. The 2010 amendments entered into force on 1 January 2012 under the tacit acceptance procedure and are aimed at bringing the Convention and Code up to date with developments.

❖ Directorate General of Shipping •

The Directorate General of Shipping is an attached office of the Ministry of Shipping, Govt. of India and deals with all executive matters, relating to merchant shipping.

• It was in September 1949; the Directorate General of Shipping with its Headquarters at Bombay was established.

• This Directorate deals with all matters concerning the Maritime Administration, Maritime Education and Training, development of Shipping Industry, and other related subjects.

• The initial objectives of the Directorate General of Shipping were: • Matters affecting Merchant Shipping & navigation and administration of the MerchantShipping Law; • Measures to ensure the safety of life and ships at sea; • Development of Indian Shipping; • International Conventions relating to Maritime matters; • Provision of facilities for training of Officers and ratings for Merchant Navy;

❖ Career Graph in Merchant Navy Career Graphs in Merchant Navy is chiefly in two disciplines: engineering and nautical science.

• Engine Department: This Department have the entire responsibility of maintaining ships.

This includes taking care of engines, pumps, hydraulics, fuel system, electricity generation plants, and boilers.

• Deck Department: Deck or Navigation officers are in charge of the navigation of ships and safe handling of passengers and cargo.

• Saloon Department: On Merchant Ships, the saloon dept. is very small consisting of one cook and one steward only. However, the number will be more on a passenger ship or other specialized ships. This dept. is responsible for food, cooking, general housekeeping in accommodation, and provision-related requirements on-board a ship.

Ranks and their Duties: DECK Captain: Captain is the overall in-charge of a ship and is responsible for safe navigation. He is owner’s representative while dealing with port authorities, surveyors, and other professionals. He is the first point of contact for all personnel onboard.

Chief Officer: C/O is responsible for safe and pollution-free cargo operation, assigns work to deck crew, and carries out deck maintenance work. He manages personnel work and rest hours and watch duties.

Chief officer watch hours are 0400-0800 & 1600-2000.

2nd Officer: 2/O is obliged to make passage plans and ensure the proper functioning of all bridge equipment. He is responsible for chart and publications corrections and maintaining stationary inventory. Daily Noon Report is to be prepared by the 2 nd officer. Watch hours- 0000-0400 & 12001600.

3rd Officer: 3/O is responsible for LSA (Life Saving Appliances) and FFA (Fire Fighting Appliances) equipment maintenance and regular checkup. Watch hours- 0800-1200 & 2000-2400.

Deck Cadet: Deck cadet is a trainee and hence he/she is not responsible for any task. As a cadet, his duty is to get properly trained and aim to be a competent officer in his future career. The chief officer is the ship’s training officer (STO) for a cadet, he ensures the cadet’s proper training as an officer of the watch (OOW) and on deck as well. The Cadet must help the Chief Officer with nearly all of his Paper Work, such as maintaining records, logging soundings, and so on.

ENGINE Chief Engineer: He is the overall in-charge of the engine and all other machinery on a ship. He is also in charge of refer plant in association with ETO and MARPOL equipment.

2nd Engineer: He is maintenance and operational in charge of the engine room. Watch hours- 04000800 & 1600-2000.

3rd Engineer: He is in charge of boilers, distillation plant, and generators. He ensures fire-fighting pumps are operational at all times. Watch hours- 0000-0400 & 1200-1600.

4th Engineer: He is in charge of purifiers, air compressors, and all other pumps. He regularly checks the proper functioning of fire extinguishers. Watch hours- 0800-1200 & 2000-2400.

Engine Cadet: The engine cadet is a trainee and hence he/she is not responsible for any task on board.

He provides assistance to senior engineers. 2nd engineer is the training engineer officer and the Engine cadet gets trained under him.

Electro-Technical Officer (ETO): He is in charge of proper working and maintenance of all electrical equipment. On container ships carrying refer containers, he is in charge of refer unit and works in association with the chief engineer.

Trainee ETO: Trainee ETO is a trainee and hence he/she is not responsible for any task. He provides assistance to ETO. Ratings provide assistance to officers and engineers.

SALON: Chief cook: Chief cook is responsible for provision inventory and doing meal planning for all officers and crew onboard.

General Steward: He assists the chief cook in galley work and cleaning.

❖ TYPES OF SHIP Cargo ships are classified into various types on the basis of purpose, size, type of cargo, etc.

The economic factor is of prime importance in designing a merchant ship. Every owner wants maximum return on their investment.

Ships are mainly classified into the following types: 1. Container Ships: A vessel structured specifically to hold huge quantities of cargo compacted in different types of containers is referred to as a container vessel (ship).

2. Bulk Carrier: Bulk carriers are a type of ship which transports cargoes (generally dry cargo) in bulk quantities. The cargo transported in such ships is loose cargo i.e., without any specific packaging to it and generally contains items like food grains, ores and coals, and even cement.

Some other forms of dry cargo are: 3. Tanker Ships: These are for carrying a large amount of liquid cargo. Tankers are further sub-divided into different types on the basis of the cargo they carry.

The main types of tankers are: Oil Tankers: Oil tankers mainly carry crude oil and its by-products.

Liquefied Gas Carriers: A gas carrier is a ship designed to transport LPG, LNG, or liquefied chemical gases.

Chemical and Product Carriers: A chemical tanker is a type of tanker ship designed to transport chemicals and different liquid products in bulk.

On the basis of their size, tankers are further divided into various types such as: VLCC, ULCC, Panamax, Aframax, Suezmax, etc.

4. Passenger Ships: These are mainly used for transiting passengers.

They are mainly classified into: Ferries– Vessels used for transiting passengers (and vehicles) on short-distance routes.

Cruise Ships– Mainly used for recreational activities are like luxurious floating hotels.

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Roll-on Roll-Off Ships: Ro-Ro is an

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acronym for Roll-on/roll-off. Ro-Ro ships are vessels that are used to carrywheeled cargo.

Pure Car Carrier (PCC) and Pure Car and Truck Carrier (PCTC) RoRo Ships Container Vessel + Ro-Ro (ConRo) Ship General Cargo + Ro-Ro Ship (GenRo) Ships RoPax Complete RoRo Ships

Offshore Ships: Offshore vessels mainly help in oil exploration and construction jobs at sea. Offshore vessels are of several types.

Some of the main ones are: 1. Supply Ship: Vessels that supply to offshore rigs 2. Floating cranes: A vessel with a crane specialized in lifting heavy loads.

3. Drill Ships: A drillship is used in exploratory offshore drilling of new oil and gas wells.

4. Accommodation Barges 5. Production Platforms: To extract and process oil and natural gas, or to temporarily store product.

6. Floating Storage Unit (FSU) – Floating vessel mainly used for storage of oil and byproducts.

7. Floating Production and Storage Unit (FPSO): This vessel i s used for the production and processing of hydrocarbons, and for the storage of oil.

8. Anchor handling vessels – These are used for offshore construction and installation operations.

9. Diving vessels – These are vessels used by divers for diving in the ocean for underwater jobs.

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Fishing Vessels: Vessels used for fishing at sea.

Fishing vessels are mainly classified into two types – trawlers and non-trawling vessels.

• Trawlers: A fishing trawler is a commercial fishing vessel designed to operate fishing trawls.

Trawling is a method of fishing that involves actively dragging or pulling a trawl throughthe water behind one or more trawlers.

• Non-Trawling vessels: Nontrawling vessels range from a simple craft to vessels that can lay nets that are kilometers long. These nets have to wait for the fish to swim into the net.

• Factory Ships: A factory ship, also known as a fish processing vessel, is a large oceangoingvessel with extensive onboard facilities for processing and freezing caught fish.

8. Speciality Vessels: Specialty vessels are constructed and used for specific purposes.

Tugs: A tug (tugboat) is a boat that manoeuvres other vessels by pushing or towing them.

Tenders – A boat or a larger ship used to service or support other boats or ships, generally by transporting people and/or supplies is called a tender vessel.

Cable Layers – Cable laying vessels help inlaying cables onto the sea bed.

Research Vessels – Vessel used for carrying out a variety of research at sea. Some of the most common types of research vessels are – hydrographic vessels, oceanographic vessels, polar vessels, etc.

Salvage Vessels – Salvage vessels are vessels engaged in the salvage operation.

Lightships: A light vessel, or lightship, is a ship that acts as a lighthouse. They are used in waters that are too deep or otherwise unsuitable for lighthouse construction.

Pilot Crafts – Pilot crafts are used for the transportation of harbor pilots.

Barge Carriers: A barge is a flat-bottomed boat, built mainly for river and canal transport ofheavy goods.

Timber Carriers: Vessels that carry timber Livestock Carriers: Vessels that carry livestock/animals Ice breaker ships: They are used for cutting ice deposits in extremely cold climate conditions to make waters navigational.

9. Dredgers: Dredging is an excavation activity usually carried underwater with the purpose of gathering up bottom sediments and widening.

Dredgers are vessels with excavation tools used for removing sand and other types of deposits from the seabed. Dredgers are used for several purposes such as making shallow coastal areas navigational, deepsea mining, etc.

❖ PARTS OF SHIP Three main parts of a ship are The Hull, an engine room, and a navigation bridge.

The most forward part of a ship is called a Bow, the left-hand side of the ship is referred to as port whereas the right side is called starboard. Likewise, the front side is termed as forward and the backside as astern.

Bulkhead: A bulkhead is an upright wall Bulkhead within the hull of a ship.

Bridge: • The ship’s bridge is the commanding station of a ship. It controls the ship’s movement throughits navigational equipment.

• Functions that are usually performed on the bridge are: controlling the ship’s speed and direction (navigation), monitoring weather and sea conditions, navigating and fixing the position of the ship, and facilitating internal as well as external communication.

Funnel: • A Funnel is a chimney on a vessel used to discharge engine smoke.

Accommodation: • The accommodation area is the house for crews and lives.

It has all the amenities along with offices, gym, crew cabins, hospital, salon, recreation room, common rooms, laundry, and galley.

Stem

Monkey Island: • Monkey Island is a sort of deck located at the topmost accessible height of the ship and just above the bridge.

Deck: • There can be multiple decks or deck sections on a ship. The deck at the top which bears maximum exposure to weather is referred to as the main deck or weather deck.

• On the basis of the position of a ship’s deck, decks are of six main types; main deck, poop deck, upper deck, and forecastle deck.

• The deck’s main function is holding the hull structure and providing a floor to work, and standing and guarding them against outside weather.

Mast: • The mast is a rangy spar arrangement that is elevated vertically to the Centerline of a ship.

• It has several purposes which include carrying derricks and also giving fundamental height to the navigation light, salient yards, radio or radar aerials, and scanners.

Bridge Wing: • It is an extended area on the sides of the bridge that provides an unobstructed view of the forward, aft, and respective sides.

• It also serves as an operating station for lookout.

Stem: • Front-most part of the ship’s bow.

• The keel itself is extended up to gunwale to form the curved edge called the stem of the ship.

Forecastle: • The forecastle is the foremost deck of the ship.

• Since anchors are located in the forward of a ship, Forecastle serves as the anchor station.

Stern: • The stern is an aft end structure and designed to provide low resistance, high propulsion efficiency, and avoid vibrations.

• It is the rearmost part of a ship that keeps the water out. Rudders and propellers are hanged to the stern Side Thrusters: • These are somewhat like a propeller and fitted on either side of the bow of the ship.

• It helps in maneuvering ships at a slow speed in congested waters near ports or canals.

These are also referred to as tunnel thrusters.

Rudder: • The rudder is a flat hollow structure, housed in the aft of the propeller, which steers the ship.

• As a vital part of the ship, the rudder is provided with a steering gear system that controls the movement of the rudder.

• Rudder works on the principle of unequal water pressure creating a yawing motion of the ship.

Propeller: • It is a mechanical device having blades fitted on a central shaft. These blades rotate and their rotational energy is converted into pressure energy and due to this, the propeller produces the thrust required for propulsion. It pushes the seawater backward and, in turn, the seawater helps the ship in moving forward.

• Engine, shaft, and propeller together constitute propulsion unit.

• The main function of the propeller is to propel the ship in the forward direction by producing thrust onwater. Its works on the principles of Newton’s third law of motion and Bernoulli’s theorem.

Ballast Tanks: • The compartments maintained specially to carry water, which serves the purpose of ballasting and stabilizing the vessel, are termed as Ballast Tanks.

• These tanks are revolutionary to the marine industry as before their evolution solid ballast was used and their discharging is quite difficult as compared to easier pumping of liquid ballast.

Hull: • The hull is a watertight body of a vessel that may be open or may be partially covered with a deck.

• Hull has several watertight decks and bulkheads as the major transverse membrane.

Cargo hold: • Enclosed space to retain and store cargo or freight container is referred to as cargo hold.

• The cargo hold is located under the deck of the ship.

• The main function of the cargo hold is to preserve cargo when it is transported to the destination.

Bunker tanks: • The tanks which are used to store fuel on ships are known as bunker tanks.

Merchant ship’s names are prefixed by which kind of vessel they are: MV = Motor Vessel / Merchant Vessel MT = Motor Tanker or Motor Tug Boat RMS = Royal Mail Ship LPG = Gas Carrier transporting Liquefied Petroleum Gas LNG = Gas carrier transporting Liquefied Natural Gas

❖ IMPORTANT NAVIGATION EQUIPMENT Gyro Compass A gyrocompass is a type of non-magnetic compass which is based on a fast-spinning disc and the rotation of the Earth to find geographical direction automatically.

Radar A radar system can detect targets and display the information on the screen such as the distance of the ship from land, any floating objects (an island, rocks, iceberg, etc.), other vessels, and obstacles to avoid a collision.

Magnetic Compass An instrument for determining direction on the surface of Earth by means of a magnetic pointer that aligns itself with Earth's magnetic field.

Note: Gyro is preferred over magnetic compass as it does not depend on the magnetic fields in the region

and hence more accurate.

Voyage Data Recorder A VDR or voyage data recorder continuously records vital information related to the operation of a vessel.

It contains a voice recording system for a period of at least the last 12 hours. This recording is useful for investigation in events of accidents. The importance of VDR is similar to a “black box” installed on an airplane.

Navigational Lights All ships and boats– whether big or small are required to have night lights as a part of the navigation system in order to make navigation at night safe and convenient as it enables ships to be clearly visible to other ships in the vicinity.

Ship Flags International maritime signal flags are various flags used to communicate with ships.

Daytime Shapes Day shapes are mast head signals visually indicating the status of a vessel to other vessels on navigable waters during daylight hours whether making-way, anchored, or aground. These signals consist of a set of simple geometric shapes—ball, cylinder, cone, and diamond.

Forecastle Bell It is used to mark the presence of the ship in fog or bad weather and sound the alarm in case of an emergency, along with the ship’s main horn or whistle.

Ship Whistle A whistle is of utmost help in times of bad weather conditions and poor visibility when alerting the nearby ship becomes imperative. Also, important equipment in times of emergency situations.

❖ PORTS OF INDIA India has a total of 13 major ports and 200 notified minor and intermediate ports. Ports play a vital role in the overall economic development. About 95 percent by volume and 70 percent by value of India’s international trade are carried on through maritime transport.

• Kolkata Port, West Bengal • Paradip Port, Odisha • New Mangalore Port, Karnataka • Cochin Port, Kerala • Jawaharlal Nehru Port, Mumbai, Maharashtra. It is the largest container port in India, handling around half of the containers of all major ports.

• Mumbai Port, Maharashtra • Kandla Port, Gujarat • Vizag port, Vishakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh • Chennai Port, Tamil Nadu second largest port of India after JNPT • Tuticorin Port (V.O. Chidambaranar Port)

• Ennore Port, Tamil Nadu • Mormugao port, Goa • Port Blair Port, Andaman &Nicobar Islands.

It is closer to two international shipping lines viz. Saudi Arabia-Singapore and US-Singapore.

Differentiation between the Major Ports and Minor Ports.

There is no strict association of the traffic volume with these terms. For example, the Mundra port of Gujarat is a minor port, but it has registered a traffic volume much larger than some of the major ports.

The Union Shipping Ministry administers the major ports, the minor and intermediate ports are administered by the relevant departments or ministries.

❖ MAJOR PORTS OF WORLD

Port Name

Country

Port Name

Country

Vancouver

Canada

Ho Chi Minh City

Vietnam

Singapore

Singapore

Manila

Philippines

Shenzhen

China

Piraeus

Greece

Busan

South Korea

Algeciras

Spain

Rotterdam

Netherlands

Tokyo

Japan

Port Klang

Malaysia

Santos

Brazil

Antwerp

Belgium

Colon

Panama

Los Angeles

U.S.A

Tanger Med

Morocco

Hamburg

Germany

Marsaxlokk

Malta

Colombo

Sri Lanka

Cai Mep

Vietnam

List of International Sea Routes for Navigation Water Transport includes transportation from canals, lakes, rivers, seas, and oceans. It can be classified as national and international transportation. Water transport can be divided into two parts: (a) Inland water transport; (b) Ocean water transport. The list of International Sea routes is discussed below: 1. South Atlantic Oceanic Route This route joins North America and Europe with South America.

2. North Atlantic Oceanic Route It is much more important than any other waterway. This waterway joins the developed regions of Western Europe with the developed region of North America. There are many important parts of the world on this oceanic route, e.g., Glasgow, Manchester, Southampton, London, Rotterdam, Bremen, Lisbon, Quebec, Montreal, New Orleans, York, Charleston, Gaveston, and New Havana.

3. Routes of the Mediterranean Sea This waterway joins Asia and Australia continents with North Atlantic Ocean routes. Mediterranean waterway joins together the maximum number of countries of the world.

4. Cape of Good Hope route It joins Eastern Asia and Europe to southern parts of Africa. This oceanic route has lost its importance with the construction of the Suez Canal. Nowadays, only large-sized ships loaded with heavy and cheap goods sail through this oceanic route.

5. North Pacific Oceanic Route These waterways join East Asia and North America with each other. This waterway is very long. From this route the countries like China. Korea, Japan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Hong Kong take maximum benefits.

6. South Pacific Oceanic Route It connects Australia, New Zealand, North America, and Western Europe with each other. Through this oceanic route, Australia exports wool, butter,cheese, skins, rubber, etc., and industrial products are imported.

7. Routes of Indian Ocean Indian oceanic waterways are used by the countries which fall in the vicinity of the Indian Ocean. The major items exported through this route are tea, jute products, mineral ores, and import items are mainly industrial products.

❖ FAMOUS SHIPPING CANALS Shipping canals are waterways specifically built along major seawater routes to enable the passage of vessels. Most of the time, these canals are constructed to connect to waterbodies including seas, lakes, and rivers, offering an alternative route to the vessels. Such canals offer shorter transportation routes across major seawater networks and also help to regulate maritime traffic internally within countries.

There are hundreds of shipping canals all over the world, in different lengths, widths, and depths, facilitating the easy movement of a variety of vessels on an everyday basis. Some of these canals are also the busiest traffic routes around the world.

KIEL CANAL

VOLGA DON CANAL

CORINTH CANAL SUEZ CANAL PANAMA CANAL

GRAND CANAL

• Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal Popularly known as Grand Canal, the Beijing–Hangzhou Grand Canal is the longest and the oldest canal in the world. Connecting China’s, the Yellow River and Yangtze River, the canal goes through several provinces in the country as well as connect with several other rivers.

While the canal covers a length of 1,776 km (1,104 mi), its greatest height reaches at a summit of 42m in the mountains of Shandong.

• Suez Canal Opened in November 1869, the 193.30 km (120 miles)-long Suez Canal is an artificial sea-level waterway located in Egypt. Linking the Mediterranean Sea with the Gulf of Suez, the Suez Canal is an extremely crucial shipping canal as it is one of the most heavily used shipping routes in the world.

The canal, which separates Asia from the African continent, provides the shortest maritime route between Europe and the regions which share a border with the Indian Ocean and the Western Pacific Ocean. The Suez Canal has been recognized as a maritime route to be open at all times, to shipping vessels of all countries in order to facilitate continuity in maritime trade operations irrespective of global conflicts.

• Panama Canal Panama Canal provides connectivity between the Pacific and the Atlantic Ocean through the Panama isthmus- a narrow strip that separates the Caribbean Sea from the Pacific Ocean. Since the oceans that the canal connects with are not at the same level, the canal uses Lock Gates on either side to lift the vessel to the higher level and similarly to drop down to the sea level. The canal helps vessels transiting between the east and west coasts of the US to shorten their journey by 15,000 km. The 82 km (51 mi)-long waterway offers its service to 29 major liner services, mostly on the US East Coast to Asia trade route.

• Volga-Don Canal The Volga-Don ship canal interlinks the Russian rivers Volga and Don, providing an important water passage through the Azoff Sea (a bay of the Black Sea) and the Caspian Sea to the major oceanic networks. The route was considered important because of the fact that it provided a much passage to connect the Eastern European shipping networks with their Western counterparts. The 101 km-long waterway passes through three reservoirs including Karpovka, Bereslavka, and Varvarovka.

• Corinth Canal Connecting the Gulf of Corinth and the Saronic Gulf in the Aegean Sea, the Corinth Canal goes through the narrow Isthmus of Corinth and divides the Peloponnese from the Greek mainland.

With a 6.4-kilometer length and 8 meters (26 ft) depth, the Corinth Canal is considered to be the deepest canal in the world. The canal holds its importance as it helps seafarers avoid the dangers of sailing around the Peloponnese’s treacherous southern capes while moving between the Gulf of Corinth and the Saronic Gulf. Though its economic importance has been reduced due to the incapability to accommodate modern ships, the canal still serves around 15,000 ships from at least 50 countries.

• Kiel Canal Connecting the Baltic Sea with the North Sea, the Kiel Canal passes through the German province of Schleswig-Holstein. The 98 km-long canal helps vessels to bypass the longer route that passes via Denmark (peninsula of Jutland), which is regarded as quite an unstable maritime route, saving an average of 250 nautical miles.

Corinth Canal, Greece

Panama Canal, Panama

❖ NATIONAL MARITIME DAY In India's navigation, a history was created when SS Loyalty, the first ship of The Scindia Steam Navigation Company Ltd journeyed to the United Kingdom. This day is celebrated on 5 April 1964 to inform people and spread awareness about intercontinental commerce and the economy worldwide.

SS Loyalty, the first ship of The Scindia Steam Navigation Co. Ltd.

❖ INTERNATIONAL MARITIME DAY The first International Maritime Day was observed on March 17, 1978, to mark the date of the IMO convention’s formal entry into force in 1958.

❖ ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES Merchant Navy is a dream job for many youngsters. But the Merchant Navy job is not for everyone.Here we will discuss all pros andcons of joining the Merchant Navy.

Advantage of Merchant NavyHigh SalaryIn this world, there are few jobs that give such type of salary to entry-level officers. Merchant navy the salary of anyone depends on the experience, rank, company, and ship. So, the salary will depend on the above-discussed factors all the time. Salary will vary between $500 to $12,000 per month depending on all t h e above-discussed factors.

Tax BenefitsPaying taxes is a responsibility of a citizen. We must pay taxes for the development of our country. But if you choose Merchant Navy as your career then you may get exemption from paying taxes.

Long VacationsIn compensation for long work time, you will get equally long vacations of 2-4 months depending on you when you want to rejoin the ship. So, after a hard work time, you will get enough time to relax. In this time of vacation, you will have no pressure of work.

World TourIf you join Merchant Navy then you will get to experience exotic destinations. As you know Since it is a job of import and export. So, you have to go to different countries.

While your ship will be at the port of any country then you can visit that country. In your whole life, you will visit many countries.

Adventures LifeIf you are joining Merchant Navy means you will have an adventurous life at sea. You have to do many other jobs other than your routine job. This job demands a considerable level of commitment on one's part. So, if you do not like a 9-5 job and want to live an adventurous life then you must join Merchant Navy.

Disadvantages of Merchant NavyAfter so many advantages of the merchant navy, there are some disadvantages of the merchant navy. Let's discuss these disadvantages.

Home SicknessIf you will be a sailor then you will definitely feel homesick at some point in time. You will be away from your home for a long time that may be 12 months in some cases. But nowadays there is limited wi-fi on almost every ship.

Hard WorkAs a mariner, you have to work hard. You have no weekends. And also, no-good sleep-in case of emergencies. If you are on the ship then you are on duty 24*7.

Social LifeThere is no stability in your social life. You will get disconnected from society for a couple of months while at sea.

PiracyThis happens rarely but it happens in some parts of t h e world. Companies have to keep private security