IoT for Vessels Course
This course takes you into the digital transformation of the maritime sector, showing how the Internet of Things (IoT) improves operations, increases safety and reduces costs on board. You will learn to deploy sensors and smart devices to monitor engine performance, fuel consumption, weather and vessel position in real time, and gain the skills to design, install and maintain marine IoT systems that make navigation more efficient and sustainable.
Prior knowledge check
These are the skills this program gives you. Tick the ones you already master and we will tell you which part of the syllabus is for you.
You are starting from scratch in this subject. The program is designed precisely for that.
What is the IoT for Vessels Course?
This short course explains how to design and run a connected vessel, from the sensor to the dashboard. You will study the concept of IoT and the components of an onboard architecture, including sensors, actuators, controllers, gateways, connectivity and data platforms; the difference between local monitoring, remote telemetry and connected automation; sensors for temperature, pressure, level, vibration, flow, position and heel; microcontrollers, compact PLCs and edge units built for the marine environment; protocols such as MQTT, HTTP, Modbus, CAN and NMEA; Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, LoRa, cellular and satellite links; real-time dashboards, alarms and thresholds; data analytics for maintenance; and the rule-based automation of pumps, ventilation, lighting and auxiliary systems.
What sets this course apart: real use cases in fleet management, predictive maintenance and route optimization; strategies to overcome the connectivity challenges of the open sea with satellite and cellular networks; tools to interpret sensor data and make informed decisions; attention to the cybersecurity of marine IoT systems; and an integrating project in which you design an IoT solution for a real or simulated vessel and assess its reliability, scalability, maintenance and security.
Program highlights
- IoT architecture on board: sensors, actuators, controllers, gateways and data platforms.
- Marine-grade hardware: microcontrollers, compact PLCs and edge units resistant to corrosion and vibration.
- Connectivity: MQTT, Modbus, CAN and NMEA over Wi-Fi, LoRa, cellular and satellite links.
- Dashboards and alarms: real-time and historical monitoring of critical systems.
- Analytics and automation: trends, anomalies and rule-based control of onboard systems.
- Integrating project: an IoT solution designed and evaluated for a real or simulated vessel.
Syllabus of the IoT for Vessels Course
5 modules. Select a module to see its content.
Fundamentals of the Internet of Things, connected ecosystems and digital architecture applied to the nautical and maritime environment
- 1.1. The concept of the Internet of Things and its evolution towards smart ecosystems for leisure, professional and commercial vessels
- 1.2. Essential components of an onboard IoT architecture: sensors, actuators, controllers, gateways, connectivity and data platforms
- 1.3. The differences between local monitoring, remote telemetry and connected automation in modern nautical systems
- 1.4. Operational variables of interest on vessels: position, consumption, temperature, vibration, level, safety, energy and the status of critical systems
- 1.5. The relationship between IoT, predictive maintenance, operational efficiency, safety on board and optimization of the vessel's life cycle
Sensors, smart devices and data capture for IoT systems on vessels and floating platforms
- 2.1. Sensors for vessels: temperature, pressure, level, humidity, vibration, flow, position, heel and environmental parameters
- 2.2. Acquisition and control devices: microcontrollers, compact PLCs, embedded modules and edge units for the marine environment
- 2.3. Integrating actuators and smart devices: relays, valves, switches, pumps, alarms and connected automatic systems
- 2.4. Criteria for choosing IoT hardware for the marine environment: resistance to corrosion, vibration, humidity and temperature and power consumption
- 2.5. Data quality and measurement reliability: calibration, sampling rate, redundancy and error control in acquisition
Connectivity, communication protocols and data transmission in IoT architectures for connected vessels
- 3.1. Fundamentals of IoT networks in the nautical environment: local, onboard, coastal and remote communications
- 3.2. Communication protocols used in marine IoT solutions: MQTT, HTTP, Modbus, CAN, NMEA and hybrid integration architectures
- 3.3. Wireless and wired connectivity on vessels: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, LoRa, cellular and satellite networks and onboard buses
- 3.4. IoT gateways and data aggregation: consolidation of signals, edge processing and communication between onboard subsystems
- 3.5. Managing latency, availability and link continuity in maritime operations with mobility, variable coverage and energy constraints
Visualization platforms, data analytics and process automation based on IoT on vessels
- 4.1. Monitoring platforms and dashboards to supervise the critical variables of the vessel in real time and over time
- 4.2. Designing control panels for navigation, energy consumption, maintenance, safety and the operational performance of onboard systems
- 4.3. Managing alarms, events and automatic thresholds: configuration, prioritization and response to operational deviations
- 4.4. Basic and advanced analytics of IoT data: trends, anomalies, correlations and support for maintenance and operating decisions
- 4.5. Automating onboard functions with rules, sensors and connected actuators: control of pumps, ventilation, lighting and auxiliary systems
Integrating project: designing and implementing an IoT solution for a real or simulated vessel
- 5.1. Definition of the case study: type of vessel, operational needs, variables to monitor and functional objectives of the IoT system
- 5.2. Selection of the most suitable sensors, devices, network architecture and visualization platform for the case
- 5.3. Design of the flow for acquiring, transmitting, storing and using the vessel's operational data
- 5.4. Development of the automation, alarm and remote monitoring scheme with criteria of safety and operational usefulness
- 5.5. Technical evaluation of the proposed solution: reliability, scalability, maintenance, cybersecurity and value for nautical operations
Duration and format of the IoT for Vessels Course
It is 300 hours. Tell us how many you can study each week and we will tell you when you will really finish.
This is the pace at which most students finish. It fits well with the installment plan.
Academic leadership and faculty
The Navalis teaching team: working professionals who teach and supervise the programs.
Dr. Marina AlcoverAcademic Director and Head of Quality Assurance
Eng. Diego CifuentesSenior Lecturer in Naval Welding and Non-Destructive Testing; Head of QA/QC for Welded Joints
Capt. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Senior Lecturer in Ship Handling, Electronic Navigation (ECDIS/Radar/ARPA) and GMDSS; STCW Compliance and Bridge Resource Management Coordinator
Dr. Pau FerrerSenior Lecturer in Naval Architecture and Simulation; Director of the Hydrodynamics and CFD Laboratory
Dr. Nuria LlobregatSenior Lecturer in Marine Meteorology, SAR and Operational Safety; Navigation Risk Management Coordinator
Eng. Javier BañulsSenior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, Automation and ETO Engineering; Electronic Integration and Engine Alarms Coordinator
Eng. Sofía MarquinaSenior Lecturer in Materials, Composites and Corrosion Protection; Coordinator of the Advanced Paints and Coatings Line
Eng. Tomás RieraSenior Lecturer in Propulsion, Alternative Energy and Hybrid Systems; Energy Performance and Vibration CoordinatorObjectives of the IoT for Vessels Course
Career opportunities after the IoT for Vessels Course
Questions about the IoT for Vessels Course
Greater efficiency and safety through real-time monitoring of position, engine condition, weather and other variables, with automatic detection of anomalies.
GPS position, speed, heading, depth, water temperature, fuel level, engine vibration, oil pressure, battery voltage, leaks, hull condition and weather, among others.
By combining onboard networks with cellular coverage near the coast and satellite links offshore, and by processing data at the edge when the link is limited.
Basic programming in C++ or Python is recommended, as well as a general understanding of electronics and communication protocols.
Yes. The architecture and tools apply to leisure, professional and commercial vessels and to floating platforms.
Yes. It addresses the protection of marine IoT systems against threats and vulnerabilities, and the final project evaluates the cybersecurity of your solution.
The course comprises 300 hours of study across 5 modules of 60 hours each, with asynchronous online modules, practical projects and personalized guidance.
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Admission process
No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enroll in the same session.
- Profile: aimed at naval and electronic engineers, shipowners and fleet managers, maritime software developers, marine maintenance technicians, and students of marine engineering and electronics; a degree in computer engineering, telecommunications or electronics, or experience in IoT development, embedded systems or marine electronics, is recommended, together with basic programming (C++ or Python) and some familiarity with communication protocols and electronics.
- Language: sufficient command of English to follow the classes and the technical documentation.
- Technical resources: a computer with an internet connection, a programming environment such as Visual Studio Code and, where indicated, IoT simulation software.
- Admission: online application, review of your profile and a short interview with the academic team.
- 01ApplicationYour details, background and documents.
- 02Instant reviewWe check that everything is complete and in order.
- 03EnrollmentChoose full payment or instalments and reserve your place.
Admission is provisional until the committee validates the documents provided. If you do not meet the requirements, the full amount is refunded.
Ask us before you enroll
Leave your details and admissions will write to you to answer any questions. If you are already sure, you can apply and pay in the same session.