Summary
A Shipping Coordinator works in the maritime industry, keeping vessels, cargo and ports moving safely under international shipping rules. In India this work sits inside the Distribution and Logistics stream: students usually take Any stream in Class 11–12 (subject requirements vary by programme) in Class 11–12, qualify through Bachelor's degree in the relevant subject, and specialise later through work experience or a master's. The sections below set out the study route, the entrance exams, the leading institutes in India and abroad, and the day-to-day reality of the job.
Core skills
- Technical competence with ship systems
- Discipline and teamwork in confined spaces
- Sea-legs, stamina and medical fitness
- Documentation under maritime law
Where you can work
- Indian and international shipping companies
- Ports, terminals and dredging corporations
- Offshore oil, gas and survey vessels
- Marine surveying, classification and insurance
Professional Opportunities
Indian and international shipping companies
Ports, terminals and dredging corporations
Offshore oil, gas and survey vessels
Marine surveying, classification and insurance
Career Path
| Stage | What you study | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| After Class 10 | Any stream in Class 11–12 (subject requirements vary by programme) | 2 years (Class 11–12) |
| Graduation | Bachelor's degree in the relevant subject | 3–4 years |
| After Graduation | Master's degree / PG diploma in a specialisation | 2 years |
| After Post-Graduation | M.Phil. / Ph.D. for research and teaching roles | 3–5 years (optional) |
Important Facts
- Entry qualification: Bachelor's degree in the relevant subject.
- Most institutes ask for 50–60% in the qualifying examination; reserved categories usually get a 5% relaxation.
- Admission is through the entrance exams listed below — national tests plus the state CET where applicable.
- Government and private institutes both offer this route; fee levels differ sharply between them.
- Scholarships listed on the HBK scholarships page apply to most of these programmes.
Leading Institutes in India
| # | Institute | Entrance / Category | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Mumbai (formerly NITIE) | CAT | iimmumbai.ac.in |
| 2 | Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad | CAT | iima.ac.in |
| 3 | Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), New Delhi | IIFT Entrance | iift.ac.in |
| 4 | Indian Maritime University (IMU), Chennai | IMU-CET | imu.edu.in |
| 5 | Indian Institute of Materials Management, Navi Mumbai | IIMM Test | iimm.org |
| 6 | Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) India | CILT Certification | ciltindia.org |
| 7 | Symbiosis Institute of Operations Management, Nashik | SNAP | siom.in |
| 8 | Amity School of Business — Supply Chain, Noida | Amity Test | amity.edu |
| 9 | Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai | CAT / XAT | greatlakes.edu.in |
| 10 | Loyola Institute of Business Administration, Chennai | CAT / XAT | liba.edu |
| 11 | Indian Institute of Logistics, Chennai | Institute Test | iil.ac.in |
| 12 | Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA) | IRMASAT / CAT | irma.ac.in |
| 13 | Nirma University — Institute of Management | CAT | nirmauni.ac.in |
| 14 | Gujarat Technological University — Logistics Programmes | CMAT | gtu.ac.in |
| 15 | National Institute of Industrial Engineering Programmes, Mumbai | CAT | iimmumbai.ac.in |
| 16 | Christ University, Bengaluru — Logistics and Supply Chain | Christ Entrance | christuniversity.in |
Institutions Abroad
| Institute | Country | Website |
|---|---|---|
| University of Oxford | United Kingdom | www.ox.ac.uk/ |
| University of Cambridge | United Kingdom | www.cam.ac.uk/ |
| Harvard University | United States | www.harvard.edu/ |
| University of Toronto | Canada | www.utoronto.ca/ |
| University of Melbourne | Australia | www.unimelb.edu.au/ |
| National University of Singapore | Singapore | www.nus.edu.sg/ |
Entrance Exams
| Exam | Full name | What it admits you to | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAT | Common Admission Test | MBA in Operations and Supply Chain at IIMs. | iimcat.ac.in |
| CUET-UG | Common University Entrance Test (UG) | BBA in Logistics and Supply Chain Management. | cuet.nta.nic.in |
| GATE (IN / ME / PI) | Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering | M.Tech in Industrial and Operations Engineering. | gate.iitkgp.ac.in |
| NITIE / IIM Mumbai Admission | IIM Mumbai (formerly NITIE) Admission Test | PG in Industrial Engineering and Supply Chain. | iimmumbai.ac.in |
| CILT / CSCP Certification | Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Certification | Professional logistics credential. | ciltindia.org |
| IIFT Entrance | Indian Institute of Foreign Trade Entrance | MBA International Business with trade logistics focus. | iift.ac.in |
| IMU-CET | Indian Maritime University Common Entrance Test | Port and shipping management programmes. | imu.edu.in |
Work Description
- 01Stand watch or run operations according to STCW and company procedures.
- 02Maintain machinery, navigation or cargo systems and log all readings.
- 03Coordinate with port authorities, surveyors and shore teams.
- 04Enforce safety, firefighting and pollution-prevention drills.
- 05Complete statutory documentation and certification renewals.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Tax-efficient, high earnings early in the career
- Sea time counts toward globally recognised certificates
- Long shore leave between contracts
Cons
- Months away from home on each contract
- Isolation and demanding shipboard hierarchy
- Job flow follows global shipping cycles
Are you fit for this career?
Take the free HBK psychometric test and see how Shipping Coordinator matches your interests and aptitude.