See Which Shipping Companies Are Hiring Cadets Right Now
Company sponsorship (mainly the DNS route) means a shipping company picks you and locks in your job before you even start college. They allot your institute, you complete the Diploma in Nautical Science at your own expense, and you step onto their ships as a Deck Cadet the day you graduate. Below is the live directory — every company and college, and whether they're currently taking forms — updated as things open and close.
See Who's Open Right NowWhat You're Getting Here
Three things, all live — not some list that went stale the day it got published.
Live sponsor count
How many shipping companies are actually open to sponsoring right now, updated as our team confirms new intakes — not a number frozen from launch day.
Forms opened so far
How many aspirants already started their check — basically a live pulse on how hot the sponsorship window is right now.
One tap for the details
Tap "More Info" on any company or college card and get the real details — no digging through forums or forwarded PDFs.
How the Directory Works
No form to fill just to browse — see everything, then act on what's open.
Scroll the full list
"All Companies & Colleges" shows every sponsor and DNS/GME college on our radar, open or closed.
Flip to Latest Open Forms
Switch tabs to see only the ones actively accepting applications right now — no wasted clicks on closed ones.
Tap More Info
Get the specifics on that company or college — what they need from you and how to apply.
Want it ranked to your numbers?
Skip down to the Eligibility Calculator further down this page for a personalized, PCM-based match instead of browsing.
Browse Companies & Colleges Below 👇
Every sponsor, every open form, right in the directory below this line.
What Is Merchant Navy Company Sponsorship, Actually?
Company sponsorship — mainly for the DNS (Diploma in Nautical Science) route — means a shipping company picks you and locks in your job before you've even started college. They allot you the institute where you'll study, you complete and pay for the DNS course yourself, and the moment you graduate, you're on their ships as a Deck Cadet. It's not the company paying your fees, it's the company guaranteeing you a seat and a job before you've enrolled anywhere — basically your career's already sorted before day one.
It's a whole different game from just applying to a training institute. A sponsored cadet gets picked by the company itself — usually a written test, an interview, and a medical check — and the company's genuinely invested in you from the jump.
Since sponsoring companies open and close intakes all through the year depending on their crewing needs, the list of who's sponsoring right now is never fixed — which is exactly what the live directory above is tracking for you.
Who's Actually Sponsoring Cadets
It usually comes down to one of three kinds of players — the tool above shows you exactly which ones are open right now.
Ship owners
Companies that own their fleet outright and sponsor cadets to build their own long-term officer pipeline.
Ship management companies
Firms that crew and manage vessels for owners — usually running the biggest, most structured sponsorship programmes out there.
Manning agents
Licensed recruiters who sponsor and place cadets with partner shipping companies under RPSL-registered agreements.
Want It Ranked to Your Exact Numbers? 🎯
Drop your PCM%, age, and board below and get every company ranked eligible-first — no more guessing.
Frequently Asked Questions
No cap, straight answers, zero jargon.
It's when a shipping company selects and hires you before you even start your DNS (Diploma in Nautical Science) course. The company allots you the college, you complete the course, and you join that company's ships as a Deck Cadet the moment you graduate.
Yes. Sponsorship guarantees your selection, your college seat, and your job on completion — it doesn't mean the company pays your course fees. You complete and pay for the DNS course at the institute the company allots you.
No. Sponsorship is the company guaranteeing you a job and a college seat before you enroll. A service bond is a separate agreement, signed after you're selected, committing you to stay with that company for a set period once you join their ships.
This changes through the year as companies open and close intakes based on their crewing needs. The live directory above shows today's actual list and flags which ones are open right now.
Yes. Browsing the directory and running the eligibility calculator are both free, with no login required for either.
They work best together. The directory shows who's currently open; the calculator ranks those companies against your own PCM percentage, age, and board so you know exactly which ones to prioritise.
It means that company or college isn't accepting new sponsorship forms right now. Most cycle open and closed through the year — check the Latest Open Forms tab to catch new openings first.
Still confused? Hit up a real mentor.
Skip the guesswork — message our team directly and get the real answer on your sponsorship chances.
