MSC Shipping company is one of the world’s largest and most respected ship management organizations, operating under the globally renowned Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) Group. The company owns a large fleet of modern container vessels trading worldwide and follows strict international safety and operational standards.
MSC Shipping Company is a well-known choice among Indian merchant navy aspirants, including students from Kerala, for its structured Diploma in Nautical Science (DNS) cadet intake and long-term career-oriented training approach. The company focuses on disciplined shipboard culture, strong seamanship skills, and compliance with global maritime regulations.
With its emphasis on safety, professionalism, and global exposure, MSC Shipmanagement provides DNS cadets-especially from Kerala – a reliable pathway to build a stable and successful sea-going career on large ocean-going container ships.
| Founded Year | 1970 |
| Company Headquarters | Geneva, Switzerland |
| Indian Head Office | Mumbai, India |
| Type of Company | Ownership Company |
| Company Founder | Capt. Gianluigi Aponte |
| Company CEO (Chief Executive Officer) | Soren Toft (MSC Group) |
| Fleet Size | 900+ |
| Type of Vessels |
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| Sea Time Requirement | 18 Months (Generally completed in 2 contracts of ~9 months each) |
| Amenities Onboard |
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| Nationality of Crew | Indian, Filipino, Myanmar, Eastern European (e.g., Ukrainian, Romanian, Latvian – more common in officer ranks), Other nationalities (depending on vessel type, flag, and owner preference) |
| Cadet Stipend | $390 – $430 |
| Waiting Period for First Ship | 2 – 5 Months |
| Company Coming Colleges for Sponsorship | MANET, SIMTI, SOMS (Last Batch) (80-120 Seats) |
Eligibility Criteria For DNS
| Marital Status | Candidate must be unmarried at the time of joining the course. |
| Nationality | Applicant must be an Indian citizen and hold a valid Indian passport (or be eligible to obtain one). |
| Age | Minimum Age: Candidate should be 17 years of age as on approx. Maximum Age: |
| Education |
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| Physical Criteria |
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| Note: Candidates must meet all the above criteria. Failure to satisfy any requirement will result in disqualification from further stages of the selection process. | |
Registration Process
Online Application
• Apply through MSC application portal. (Link Provided above)
• The written examination is generally spread over a week. Applicants are advised to choose an earlier exam date to avoid last-minute issues and to ensure smooth progression to the next stages of selection
• Fill Personal details and upload Class 10 & 12 mark sheets, photo ID, and a recent photograph.Eligibility Screening
• Eligibility as mentioned in the Eligibility criteria Tab.
MSC Online Written Test
• General Knowledge
• English (grammar, vocabulary, comprehension)
• Physics and MathsPersonal Interview
• Communication skills
• Physics & maths questions
• Maritime awareness, Geography and Ship-KnowledgeMedical Examination (DG Approved & Company Doctor)
• Eyesight and colour vision test
• Physical fitness check
• Hearing test
• Blood/urine tests
• Must meet all DG Shipping and MSC medical requirementsFinal Sponsorship Selection
• If you comply with all Company and DG Shipping criteria and have passed the following, you will be shortlisted for the final selection process:
1. MSC Entrance written exam
2. MSC Interview
3. IMU entrance exam result – IMU ranking
4. MSC Eyesight & Medical test
5. MSC Psychometric test
• Instructions for joining the MSC tie-up Maritime College will be givenAdmission to Maritime College
• Join the 1-year DNS pre-sea course
• Training conducted under MSC Shipping company supervision
• Placement on MSC vessels after course completion
| Particulars | Amount (INR) |
|---|---|
| Exam Registration Fee | Approx. ₹1,000 – ₹1,500 |
| Medical & Eyesight Test | Approx. ₹7,000 (cash payable to MSC-approved medical clinic) |
| Psychometric Online Test | Approx. ₹1,000 (payable to MSC-approved psychometric counselling service) |
| Additionally, if selected: | |
| Non-Refundable Fee to MSC | ₹15,000 |
| Cost of 1-Year IMU Pre-Sea Training Course | As per institute fee structure and norms |
| Selected candidates will be allotted DG Shipping approved institutes through MSC based on final selection results. | |
Test Syllabus
1.Written Test
| Mode of Written Test | Online (Select earlier dates for exams) |
| Examination Type | Online – Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) |
| Total Number of Questions | 50 |
| Total Duration | 1.5 Hour (90 Minutes) |
| Marks per Question | 1 mark |
| Negative Marking | No Negative marking |
| Syllabus |
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| Expected Cut-off | Approximately 95% / 45-48 marks (varies by total number of applicants) |
2. Psychometric Test
| Mode of Test | Online (Conducted After Interview) |
| Total Number of Questions | 200 |
| Total Duration | 1 Hour |
| Syllabus |
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3. Interview
| Mode of Interview | Offline (Candidate will be asked to select the city of preference for Interview where MSC offices are located and needs to select the same at the time of registration ) The nearest location for Kerala students are Chennai and Mumbai |
| Interview Order |
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| Types of Questions (PYQ) | Access via NauTutor Academy mobile application |
4. Medical Test
Candidates must undergo a medical examination as per DG Shipping medical standards to ensure they meet the required fitness criteria for maritime service.
Medical test fee is approximately, around Rs 7000/- payable by candidate, Psychometric test fee is approximately Rs 1000/-. And payable by candidate – payable to MSC approved Psychometric counselling service.
5. Sponsorship Letter From Company
You will be received via mail inluding the company/ College instructions and report date.
Mock Test
Download the NauTutor mobile application to practice DNS sponsorship mock tests designed on the same pattern and difficulty level as Fleet Management DNS selection exams. Our mock tests closely simulate the actual exam environment, helping aspirants understand question trends, time management, and selection standards followed by leading ship management companies. NauTutor’s test series is specially curated for Kerala DNS aspirants, with exam-oriented practice, previous question insights, and performance analysis to improve your chances of clearing the Fleet Management DNS interview and written assessment.
Contact Details (MSC Exam Cell)
| Key contact | Phone Number |
|---|---|
| Technical Help Desk | +91 8595904407 |
| Technical Help Desk Mail | support@registernow.in |
| Email/Website | cadet@msccs.com |