Mercantile Marine Department


Mercantile Marine Department is an attached department of Ports and Shipping Wing, Karachi under the Ministry of Ports and Shipping, Government of Pakistan. The department was established in 1930 under the Merchant Shipping Act, 1923, which was repealed and replaced with Merchant Shipping Ordinance No. L II of 2001 in 2001. The department is headed by the Principal Officer who is also Registrar of Ships and Superintendent of Light Houses in Pakistan.

Functions

Main functions of Mercantile Marine Department are appended below:

Surveyors of MMD

Ports & Shipping Wing is also the Maritime Safety Administration of Pakistan. The Government of Pakistan plays its role in the International Maritime Organization through this Wing. The functions of Maritime Administration of Pakistan are mainly discharged by the professionals serving on the Technical Posts of this Ministry. Out of 15 Surveyors of the Ministry of Ports & Shipping, approx 11 surveyors work in the Mercantile Marine Department. Recruitment to Technical Posts in the Ports & Shipping Wing is made keeping in view the national & international standards and ensuring induction of experienced and qualified professionals for the pure technical jobs. However, Ports and Shipping Wing is facing acute shortage of surveyors and examiners. According to General Secretary of Marine Academy Old Boys Association this situation may determinate the good reputation of Pakistan, particularly to its listing to The White List of IMO.

Online verification

Certificates of Competency issued by the Ports & Shipping Wing to Deck Officers and Engineer Officers, as well as Rating Certificates by the MMD itself, are verifiable globally at the sub-portal of MMD’s official website. Online verification has eliminated the chances of forgery of certificates and is a source of scrutiny without loss of time.