If you’re a Merchant Navy aspirant stuck between choosing MSC or Synergy, this blog is your clarity pill. Many cadets from the August batch 2025 now hold sponsorships from both, and the decision boils down to key factors —
- Stipend
- Career Growth
- Waiting Period
- Ownership vs Management
- College Fees
Your goal isn’t Synergy, MSC, or Anglo.
Your first aim should be:
MSC (Mediterranean Shipping Company)
- Type: Ownership Company
- No. of Vessels: 800+ (Ownership)
- Type of Vessels: Mainly Containers
- Stipend: 375 USD/month 1st sail
420 USD/ month 2nd sail
- Waiting Period: Practically Zero — Complete your documents and you’re on board
- Colleges Allotted: Seven Islands, SOMS in the previous batch (High Fees); February batch also sent to HIMT (same as Synergy)
Synergy Marine Group
- ype: Management Company
- No. of Vessels: 600+ (Managed)
- Type of Vessels: Bulk, Tankers, LNG, Ro-Ro, Dredger, etc.
- Stipend: ₹600 USD/month
- Waiting Period: Previously 2–3 months, now fluctuating and increased between 6–8 months
- Colleges Allotted: Now fixed with HIMT (Low Fees), earlier used to TSR, TMI, and IMU campuses
What the Captain Said — A Perspective from Sea
Mr Shoaib Ali ( THIRD OFFICER AND FOUNDER OF IMUMATE ) said
When I went for my Second Mate COC, I met a seasoned captain who casually asked everyone,
“Which company are you from?”
Then he said something that hit hard:
“A small ownership company with just 35 vessels is far better than a management company with 700.”
Now think about MSC — the world’s largest shipping company with 800 OWNED vessels
That’s not just better, that’s something breathe taking .
Why Students Choose Synergy Then?
MSC: No wait. Documents done = onboard. Ships are owned, and there’s no third-party delay.
Synergy: Cadets in 2023–24 saw delays stretch from 3 to 8 months. Managed fleets mean unpredictability.
Marine Institutes & Fee Structure
MSC: Last year Seven Islands or SOMS — higher fees. But in recent batches, they’ve started allotting HIMT too.
Synergy: Fixed with HIMT now — known for low fees, decent hostel and infrastructure.
Your goal isn’t Synergy, MSC, or Anglo.
Your first aim should be:
So What Should Your Aim Be?
–Complete cadetship
-Get sea time
-Clear Second Mates
-Become a Third Officer
Once you’re a Third Officer with a CoC in hand, the entire shipping industry is open to you from Synergy to Maersk, from MSC to Shell.
Final Word — MSC vs Synergy
Factor | MSC (Ownership) | Synergy (Management) |
Stipend | $375/month | $600/month |
Vessel Count | 800+ (Owned) | 600+ (Managed) |
Waiting Period | Zero | 6–8 months (currently) |
Vessel Types | Containers only | All types (bulk, tankers) |
College Fees | Higher (SOMS, SI) | Lower (HIMT) |
“Don’t chase fleets. Chase your CoC. That’s your ticket to choose who you sail for.”
— From the Founder of IMUMate
