How to become a seafarer in Bangladesh after school
Official rules for school students and school leavers. Check every requirement with the maritime authority before you apply or pay.
Officer: maritime academy or college
- Bangladesh Marine Academy (BMA) offers a 4-year Bachelor of Maritime Science (Honours) in nautical science.
- The programme combines 24 months at the academy, 12 months of paid on-board training and another 12 months at the academy.
- BMA also offers a BSc in marine engineering.
- Applicants need the HSC with mathematics and physics.
- Applicants need good spoken and written English.
- Applicants pass medical and eyesight tests and a physical fitness check; the age limit is 21.
- Under STCW, a candidate for officer in charge of a navigational watch must be at least 18 and have at least 12 months of approved seagoing service.
Rating: rating course
- Trainee ratings for government and private maritime institutes are selected through an integrated admission test (2022 policy).
- Pre-sea rating batches of the National Maritime Institutes in Chattogram and Madaripur receive their CDCs from the GSO.
Exams and certification
- Cadets for maritime academies are selected through an integrated admission test (policy revised in 2022).
- The DOS publishes an annual schedule of certificate of competency examinations.
- The DOS publishes oral examination schedules for marine engineer officers of different grades.
Documents in order
- Pass the integrated admission test for cadets or trainee ratings.
- All seafarers must complete safety familiarization and basic training under STCW VI/1.
- Apply online for the CDC at the GSO.
- Register as a seafarer and get the roster book at the GSO.
- After sign-on, join the ship within one month; sign off within one month of leaving the ship.
Cadet training at sea
- BMA nautical cadets spend 12 months at sea on paid on-board training.
- Under STCW, a deck watchkeeping officer candidate needs at least 12 months of seagoing service in an approved training programme.
Approved training institutions
Only institutions from the official list of the maritime authority. The list changes: check that the institution is still approved before you pay.
Government academies and institutes from the DOS list of approved maritime training institutes. The list also includes private academies and the Marine Fisheries Academy (fishing fleet); they are not shown.
Chattogram Division
- Bangladesh Marine Academy, Chattogram, Juldia, AnwaraCourses: Bachelor of Maritime Science (Nautical); BSc Marine Engineering
- National Maritime Institute, Chattogram, South Halishahar, ChattogramCourses: Pre-sea rating training
Rangpur Division
- Bangladesh Marine Academy, Rangpur, PirgonjCourses: Pre-sea cadet training (nautical and marine engineering)
Rajshahi Division
- Bangladesh Marine Academy, Pabna, Rajnarayanpur, PabnaCourses: Pre-sea cadet training (nautical and marine engineering)
Barishal Division
- Bangladesh Marine Academy, Barishal, BarishalCourses: Pre-sea cadet training (nautical and marine engineering)
Sylhet Division
- Bangladesh Marine Academy, Sylhet, SylhetCourses: Pre-sea cadet training (nautical and marine engineering)
Dhaka Division
- National Maritime Institute, Madaripur, MadaripurCourses: Pre-sea rating training
First job: starter vacancies
Live vacancies on Krew Guru for starter positions. Vacancies without any sea experience are rare, so we do not promise a job without it.
No open starter vacancies right now. Upload your CV and we will send you matching vacancies.
Krew Guru numbers
89% of open vacancies on Krew Guru accept citizens of Bangladesh.
Seafarer profiles from Bangladesh on Krew Guru: 650+.
Checked: 26 Oct 2026. Rules change, so always check with the maritime authority: Department of Shipping (DOS)