A non-military service, the Merchant navy is part of a global economy that impacts our daily lives from the food we eat to the things we own and use everyday. Merchant navy is the fleet of merchant vessels (Ships) that are registered in a specific country. Merchant Navy is a term used to describe commercial shipping i.e. General Cargo, Tankers, Bulk Carriers, Ferries, Cruise Ships. Individuals who opt for a career in merchant navy can work as Deck officers, Engineers, and Ratings.

The birth of the modern Indian Merchant Navy occurred before the Indian Independence from the United Kingdom, in 1919 SS Loyalty sailed from India to Britain. India is one of the biggest peninsulas in the world and has 12 major, and 205 notified minor and intermediate ports.

Under the National Perspective Plan for Sagarmala, six new mega ports with World-class infrastructure are also being developed in the country.