Many deck officers want to move ashore but feel confused when they hear about IT company roles. They often think that IT companies only hire coders, software developers and testers. Because of this, many deck officers feel they have no place in the technology industry. But this is not true. Deck officers do not need to become software developers to work in IT companies. Their biggest value is maritime domain knowledge, especially in marine-tech and shipping software companies.
Introduction
IT company career options are becoming more relevant for deck officers because shipping is becoming digital. Ports, vessels, terminals, cargo operations, voyage planning, reporting systems and ship-management platforms are now using technology more seriously. A technology company may have developers and testers, but it still needs people who understand real maritime operations. This is where deck officers can add strong value. They know what happens onboard, how operations work, and what users actually need from maritime software.
An IT company career for deck officers does not mean writing code every day. It means using maritime experience to support software products, projects, and digital solutions connected with shipping. Deck officers can work in roles where they explain shipping processes, collect requirements, support product teams, test software, manage projects, or guide technology teams about real vessel operations. These roles are especially useful in marine-tech companies, port software firms, logistics-tech companies, and IT companies working on maritime projects.
IT companies are usually filled with developers, testers, designers and technical professionals. They know how to build software, but they may not understand shipping operations. For example, if a company is building software for ports or terminals, developers may not understand berth planning, cargo movement, container flow or vessel reporting. If they are building voyage optimisation software, they may not fully understand weather routing, navigation decisions, vessel speed or bridge procedures. Mariners help connect software with real operational needs.
Deck officers can enter IT companies through domain, business, product and project-related roles. Third Officers and Second Officers may enter as Business Analysts because they can understand maritime requirements and explain them clearly to technology teams. Chief Officers and Captains can target senior roles such as Senior Business Analyst, Project Manager, Program Manager, Product Manager, Domain Consultant or Maritime Technology Specialist. The right role depends on rank, experience, communication skills, technology awareness and company requirements.
A Business Analyst works as a bridge between the business team and the technology team. In simple words, the Business Analyst understands the operational problem and converts it into clear software requirements. For example, if a port wants to build a terminal operating system, developers may know coding but may not know terminal operations. A deck officer can explain berth planning, vessel operations, cargo flow, documentation and port-side challenges so that the software solves real problems.
Yes, deck officers can enter IT companies without becoming coders. Their role is not always to write software. Their role may be to explain workflows, prepare requirement documents, support testing, guide product teams, coordinate with clients, and ensure that the final software matches real shipping operations. However, basic technology awareness is still important. Deck officers should understand how software products are developed, how projects are managed, how requirements are written, and how testing is done.
If a deck officer has completed an MBA, the opportunities can become wider. After MBA, the officer is not limited only to marine-tech companies. They can explore fintech, SaaS companies, IT service companies, logistics-tech companies, product companies, and operations-tech companies. MBA can help them understand business models, customer needs, corporate language, product thinking and commercial decision-making. However, MBA is not compulsory for every IT-related role, especially if the target is maritime software or marine-tech companies.
Salary depends on rank, company, role, experience, location and skill level. At junior level, a deck officer entering as a Business Analyst or similar role may start around ₹12 lakh to ₹13 lakh per annum. At senior level, especially for Masters entering domain, product, project or consulting roles, salary may be around ₹30 lakh per annum, depending on company and responsibility. The starting salary may be lower than sailing income, but long-term growth can be strong.
Deck officers can explore traditional IT companies and marine-tech companies. Traditional IT companies may include TCS, Tech Mahindra, IBM, Infosys and other large technology service companies working on maritime, logistics or port-related projects. Marine-tech companies may include Alpha Ori, Pebble Road, ZeroNorth, MariApps, Nautilus Labs, Optimum Voyage and similar maritime technology firms. Deck officers should also track digital transformation roles inside shipping companies because many ship-management organisations are now building internal technology and data teams.
Deck officers do not need to become full-time coders, but they must build the right skills. Important skills include business analysis, documentation, communication, presentation, project management basics, product understanding, basic technology awareness and problem-solving ability. They should learn how to explain maritime workflows clearly. For example, they should explain voyage reporting, cargo operations, port calls, bridge procedures and user problems in simple language. Technology teams need clarity, and deck officers can provide that clarity.
A normal sailing CV may not be enough for IT and marine-tech roles. Deck officers should present their experience in a way that technology companies can understand. Instead of only writing rank and sea time, they should highlight operations knowledge, documentation skills, process understanding, communication, problem-solving, reporting exposure and interest in digital transformation. If they have worked with ECDIS, PMS, voyage reporting systems, cargo software, port documentation or digital tools, these points should be shown clearly.
IT companies and marine-tech companies can offer strong shore career options for deck officers. They can work as Business Analysts, Senior Business Analysts, Project Managers, Program Managers, Product Managers, Domain Consultants or Maritime Technology Specialists. They do not need to become software developers. Their biggest strength is maritime domain knowledge. As shipping becomes more digital, companies will need people who understand both ships and technology. Deck officers who combine sailing experience with digital awareness can build a strong future ashore.
Moving into IT or marine tech becomes easier when deck officers understand how to present their sailing experience for modern shore roles. Sailor Pro app, an initiative by Merchant Navy Decoded, helps seafarers explore career options, understand transition pathways and make smarter decisions for life at sea and beyond.
Yes, deck officers can work in IT companies, especially in maritime software, marine-tech, port software, logistics-tech and shipping-related technology projects.
No, coding is not compulsory for many roles. Deck officers can work as Business Analysts, Domain Consultants, Product Managers, Project Managers or Maritime Technology Specialists.
Business Analyst is one of the most practical entry roles for Third Officers and Second Officers who want to enter IT or marine-tech companies.
Captains and Chief Officers can target Senior Business Analyst, Project Manager, Program Manager, Product Manager, Domain Consultant and maritime consulting roles.
A junior deck officer may start around ₹12 lakh to ₹13 lakh per annum, while senior officers may reach around ₹30 lakh per annum depending on role and company.
Deck officers can explore TCS, Tech Mahindra, IBM, Infosys, Alpha Ori, Pebble Road, ZeroNorth, MariApps, Nautilus Labs, Optimum Voyage and similar companies.
MBA is not compulsory for every IT role, but it can help deck officers move into product, project, strategy, consulting and broader business roles.
Deck officers should improve documentation, communication, business analysis, project understanding, product awareness, basic technology knowledge and shore-focused CV presentation.
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