What is the current salary for Chief Engineer on a VLCC in 2025? Has it gone up after the new CII regulations?

As of 2025, the monthly consolidated salary for a Chief Engineer (C/E) serving on a Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) typically ranges between USD 14,500 and USD 18,500. This remuneration varies based on the ship management company, the owner’s nationality, the specific flag state requirements, and the individual officer’s seniority or "years-in-rank." In the Indian maritime sector, these figures are often structured to include basic pay, leave pay, and various performance or re-joining bonuses, all of which must comply with the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006 regarding the protection of seafarers' wages and employment conditions. There has been a discernible upward trend in Chief Engineer salaries following the rigorous implementation of the Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) and the Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) regulations under MARPOL Annex VI. The introduction of these regulations has significantly increased the technical and administrative workload for the engine department. The Chief Engineer is now directly responsible for the execution of the Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP) Part III. Since a vessel’s commercial viability is now tied to its CII rating (A through E), the Chief Engineer’s ability to optimize fuel consumption, manage hull fouling, and maintain high-efficiency propulsion is critical. Failure to maintain an acceptable CII rating can lead to mandatory corrective actions, increasing the professional liability and stress associated with the rank. Furthermore, the complexity of modern VLCC machinery has escalated. Many new-build VLCCs are now dual-fuel (LNG or Methanol) or are equipped with advanced Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (Scrubbers) and Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) units to meet MARPOL NOx and SOx emission standards. The STCW (Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping) Convention, specifically Table A-III/2, defines the high level of competence required for senior engineers, but the industry now demands specialized knowledge beyond the standard COC (Certificate of Competency). Ship owners are offering higher "top-of-scale" wages to attract Chief Engineers who possess the technical expertise to manage these green technologies while ensuring strict compliance with the ISM Code (International Safety Management Code). From a regulatory standpoint, the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) in India continues to monitor the recruitment and placement of seafarers through RPSL (Recruitment and Placement Services License) agencies to ensure that the terms of the Seafarer Employment Agreement (SEA) align with international standards. The combination of increased regulatory pressure from MARPOL, the technical demands of the "Green Transition," and a global shortage of experienced tanker officers has resulted in a 5% to 10% increase in average wages for the Chief Engineer rank on VLCCs over the last 24 months. Consequently, the role has evolved from purely mechanical oversight to high-level environmental and data management, justifying the current premium in compensation.