There are very few career choices that let you literally see the world as part of the job description. Merchant Navy officers do — and the path to the Merchant Navy in Pakistan runs through the Pakistan Marine Academy in Karachi. PMA has been training maritime officers since 1962 and remains Pakistan’s premier maritime education and training institution, producing deck officers and marine engineers who serve on commercial vessels across international shipping routes.
PMA has opened admissions for the 65th Batch of Nautical (Deck) and Marine Engineering Cadets for Academic Session 2027–28. Seventy-five seats are available in each branch — 150 total. The entry requirement is FSc Pre-Engineering (or A Level equivalent) with Maths, Physics, and Chemistry. The age limit is 20 years as of December 31, 2026, with a 1-year relaxation for candidates from FATA, Gilgit-Baltistan, AJK, and Balochistan.
The application form deadline is July 23, 2026. The NTS entrance test is scheduled for Sunday, August 9, 2026, at multiple centres across Pakistan. Two years of residential training at PMA leads to an Associate Degree from NED University and IMO-recognized Pre-Sea Mandatory Course certificates — the credentials needed to sail internationally as a Merchant Navy officer.
Institution: Pakistan Marine Academy (PMA)
PID Number: PID K-3714/25
Address: Pakistan Marine Academy, Hawks Bay Road, Mauripur, Karachi-75780
Batch Number: 65th Batch of Nautical (Deck) & Marine Engineering Cadets
Academic Session: 2027–28
Total Seats: 150 — 75 Nautical (Deck) + 75 Marine Engineering
Gender: Unmarried Male Citizens of Pakistan only
Minimum Academic Qualification: FSc Pre-Engineering or A Level with Maths, Physics & Chemistry — minimum 55% marks
Age Limit: Not more than 20 years as on December 31, 2026
FATA/GB/AJK/Balochistan Age: Not more than 21 years as on December 31, 2026 (1-year relaxation)
Application Fee: Rs. 4,000 — Pay Order or Bank Draft in favour of Pakistan Marine Academy, Karachi (NBP Branch Code-0239)
Form & Prospectus: www.pakistanmarineacademy.edu.pk or PMA Admission Office
Application Submission: By courier to Officer In-Charge Admissions, PMA, Hawks Bay Road, Mauripur, Karachi-75780
Deck officers navigate and command merchant vessels. The Nautical branch trains cadets in seamanship, navigation, cargo handling, stability, maritime law, meteorology, and bridge watchkeeping. After training, Deck officers progress from Third Officer to Second Officer, Chief Officer, and ultimately Master (Captain) of a vessel.
Career Path: Third Officer → Second Officer → Chief Officer → Master
Marine Engineers operate and maintain a vessel’s propulsion systems, auxiliary machinery, electrical systems, and all onboard mechanical equipment. They work in the engine room and ensure the mechanical reliability of the entire vessel. After training, they progress from Fourth Engineer to Third Engineer, Second Engineer, and Chief Engineer.
Career Path: Fourth Engineer → Third Engineer → Second Engineer → Chief Engineer
Pakistan Marine Academy was established in 1962 under the Ministry of Maritime Affairs as Pakistan’s primary institution for training merchant navy officers. Located at Mauripur (Hawks Bay Road) in Karachi, PMA operates a fully residential campus where cadets live, train, and study in a maritime environment for two years before beginning their sea careers.
The institution is internationally recognised — PMA’s Pre-Sea courses are certified by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), and PMA graduates receive certificates recognised by maritime administrations worldwide. The training curriculum follows the STCW (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers) Convention, which is the international benchmark for maritime officer training.
Graduates receive an Associate Degree in Nautical Science and Marine Engineering from NED University of Engineering & Technology, Karachi — a nationally recognised academic qualification alongside the IMO-certified professional certificates. PMA alumni serve on vessels of all major shipping lines and have risen to senior positions including Master Mariner and Chief Engineer on international commercial vessels.
Primary Qualification | FSc Pre-Engineering with Maths, Physics, and Chemistry — minimum 55% aggregate marks |
A Level Equivalent | A Level with subject combination of Maths, Physics, and Chemistry — minimum 55% marks |
Equivalency Certificate | O Level and A Level candidates must submit separate equivalency certificates for O Level AND A Level from IBCC (Inter Board Committee of Chairmen) |
Part-II Appearing Candidates | FSc/A Level Part-II appearing candidates may apply IF they have at least 60% marks in Part-I and provide a Hope Certificate from the Head of their college/institute |
Part-I Marks Failure | If a candidate fails to attain 55% in FSc after providing a Hope Certificate, they will be disqualified at any stage of selection and discharged during training |
A Level Equivalency Failure | If an A Level candidate fails to submit an equivalency certificate by the stipulated date, they will not be considered for further stages |
Not Eligible | Non-combination of subjects (not Maths+Physics+Chemistry) and DAE Diploma holders are NOT eligible |
All four stages are mandatory. Failing any single stage eliminates the candidate from further consideration.
Conducted by NTS at multiple cities. Minimum 50% marks required to pass. Test centres: Abbottabad, Gwadar, Karachi, Lahore, Multan, Muzaffarabad (AJK), Peshawar, Quetta, Rawalpindi, Sukkur
Medical examination of NTS-qualified candidates conducted at designated Army or Navy hospitals. Vision, hearing, general health. Colour vision is critical — colour blind candidates are ineligible.
Conducted after medical examination. Only medically fit candidates proceed to PET. See full PET standards table below. Only PET-qualified candidates care onsidered for interview.
Conducted by PMA panel for PET-qualified candidates only. Provisional selection made in order of merit combining FSc/A Level percentage, NTS marks, medical fitness, PET standard, and interview.
Test | Requirement | Time Allowed |
Running | 1 Mile (1.6 km) | 8½ Minutes |
Push-ups | 15 Repetitions | 2 Minutes |
Sit-ups | 15 Repetitions | 2 Minutes |
Chin-ups | 2 Repetitions | 2 Minutes |
Visit www.pakistanmarineacademy.edu.pk and download the official prospectus and application form for the 65th Batch. Alternatively, collect the form in person from the PMA Admission Office at Hawks Bay Road, Mauripur, Karachi. Read the prospectus completely before filling the form — it contains eligibility details, training program information, and career guidance.
Complete all sections of the application form. Select your preferred branch — Nautical (Deck) or Marine Engineering. Provide accurate personal details, academic marks, and O/A Level equivalency details if applicable. Candidates with 60%+ in Part-I applying under the appearing-student provision must arrange the Hope Certificate from their college principal before submitting.
Obtain a Pay Order or Bank Demand Draft for Rs. 4,000 in favour of Pakistan Marine Academy, Karachi. It must be drawn on National Bank of Pakistan (NBP), PMA Branch Code-0239. PO/DD from any bank is acceptable. Keep the counterfoil as your receipt.
Attach your completed form, attested copies of all academic certificates, domicile, CNIC (or Form-B for under-18), the Rs. 4,000 Pay Order/DD, and equivalency certificates (if O/A Level candidate). Send by courier to: Officer In-Charge Admissions, Pakistan Marine Academy, Hawks Bay Road, Mauripur, Karachi-75780. Dispatch at least 5–6 days before July 23 from major cities. Keep your courier tracking receipt.
After form submission, monitor the PMA website and your registered mobile number for the TS roll number slip and test centre allocation. The NTS test is scheduled for Sunday, August 9, 2026 at centres in Abbottabad, Gwadar, Karachi, Lahore, Multan, Muzaffarabad, Peshawar, Quetta, Rawalpindi, and Sukkur. Minimum 50% marks required to qualify.
Download form at pakistanmarineacademy.edu.pk. Include Rs. 4,000 Pay Order.
🌐 www.pakistanmarineacademy.edu.pk
📮 Officer In-Charge Admissions, PMA, Hawks Bay Road, Mauripur, Karachi-75780
📞 021-99241201-5 Ext: 114
Download Form at PMA Website
🌐 Website & Form: www.pakistanmarineacademy.edu.pk
📞 Phone: 021-99241201-5 Ext: 114
📠 Fax: 021-99241206
📧 Email: admissions@pakistanmarineacademy.edu.pk
📍 Address: Pakistan Marine Academy, Hawks Bay Road, Mauripur, Karachi-75780
