Master's in Conceptual Design of Future Ships
This master's prepares you to conceive the ships of the coming decades at the earliest and most decisive design stage. You will define mission profiles and general arrangements with model-based methods, compare hydrogen, e-fuels, fuel cells, wind propulsion and carbon capture, explore wave-piercing hulls, air lubrication, hydrofoils and biomimetic forms, integrate autonomy, sensors and cybersecurity, choose advanced materials and smart structures, and validate concepts with CFD, digital twins and virtual reality against future IMO decarbonization and autonomy rules.
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 Master's in Conceptual Design of Future Ships?
This master's focuses on conceptual design: the stage where a mission profile becomes a ship concept and where most of its cost, emissions and performance are decided. You will work with MBSE and multi-objective optimization, foresight scenarios to 2050 and early feasibility and life cycle assessment, then compare energy options from e-methanol, e-ammonia and hydrogen to fuel cells, wind-assisted propulsion, batteries, DC grids, onboard carbon capture and small modular reactors. You will explore ultra-low-resistance and multihull forms, air lubrication, active hydrofoils and generative hull optimization with AI and CFD, design for autonomy under the IMO MASS framework, rethink interiors and cargo handling for reduced crews, and select composites, self-healing materials and 3D-printed structures.
What sets this master's apart: it looks ahead rather than at current practice, treating zero emissions, autonomy and digitalization as design drivers from the first sketch, in contrast to programs centered on conventional naval architecture; it covers the whole ship system, from energy and hydrodynamics to interiors, port interfaces and cybersecurity; it works with the digital toolchain of future design, including digital twins, HPC simulation, VR reviews and naval BIM; and it ends with a Final Project in which you design, document and defend a disruptive ship concept with its hull, power plant, automation, materials and business case.
Program highlights
- Conceptual design focus: mission profiles, MBSE, general arrangement optimization and early feasibility.
- Zero-emission energy: e-fuels, hydrogen, fuel cells, wind propulsion, batteries, carbon capture and nuclear options.
- Advanced hydrodynamics: wave-piercing and multihull forms, air lubrication, hydrofoils and AI-driven hull optimization.
- Autonomy and cyber resilience: IMO MASS, sensor fusion, COLREG-compliant algorithms, remote operations and zero-trust networks.
- Digital design toolchain: digital twins, HPC CFD, VR and AR reviews, genetic algorithms and naval BIM.
- Final Project: a fully documented disruptive ship concept presented before a panel of experts.
Syllabus of the Master's in Conceptual Design of Future Ships
11 modules. Select a module to see its content.
Foundations of Conceptual Design and Foresight for the Shipping Industry
- 1.1. Conceptual ship design methodology: from mission profile to digital ship
- 1.2. The traditional design spiral versus concurrent and model-based systems engineering (MBSE)
- 1.3. Global megatrends: decarbonization, digitalization, automation and new trade flows
- 1.4. Design architecture for zero-emission ships
- 1.5. Life cycle assessment (LCA) and holistic environmental impact evaluation
- 1.6. Technical, economic and regulatory feasibility in early design stages
- 1.7. Multi-objective optimization tools for defining the general arrangement (GA)
- 1.8. The regulatory framework ahead: IMO rules (EEDI, CII, the 2050 strategy) and classification societies
- 1.9. Human-centered design for reduced crews
- 1.10. Foresight and scenario-building techniques for the maritime industry to 2050
Zero-Emission Propulsion and Clean Energy Sources
- 2.1. Synthetic fuels and e-fuels: e-methanol, e-ammonia, e-diesel and biofuels
- 2.2. Marine hydrogen: cryogenic storage (LH2), compressed gas (CGH2) and safety systems
- 2.3. Fuel cells: PEMFC and SOFC and their integration into ship power plants
- 2.4. Wind-assisted and direct wind propulsion: rigid sails, DynaRig, Flettner rotors, kites and suction wings
- 2.5. Onboard carbon capture and storage (OCCS)
- 2.6. Small modular nuclear reactors (SMR) and the prospects of fusion propulsion for large ships
- 2.7. Large-scale energy storage in solid-state batteries and supercapacitors
- 2.8. Hybrid electric propulsion architectures, power electronics and DC grids
- 2.9. Flexible thin-film solar collectors and photovoltaics integrated into hull surfaces
- 2.10. Comparing energy density, supply logistics and operational safety
Advanced Hydrodynamics, Biomimetics and Extreme Hull Forms
- 3.1. Ultra-low-resistance hull designs: wave-piercing forms and X-bow designs
- 3.2. Biomimetics in naval architecture: hydrodynamics inspired by marine life
- 3.3. Advanced multihulls: trimarans, SWATH (small waterplane area twin hull) and pentamarans
- 3.4. Reducing friction with air: air lubrication systems (ALS)
- 3.5. Active computer-controlled hydrofoils for large and fast vessels
- 3.6. Topology and generative hull optimization with artificial intelligence and CFD
- 3.7. Nanotechnology-based low-friction coatings and advanced antifouling properties
- 3.8. Hull-propulsor interaction in unconventional configurations: contra-rotating pods and ducted propulsors
- 3.9. Hydrodynamics in extreme conditions: polar navigation, ice interaction and maneuverability
- 3.10. Active wake wash reduction for coastal and urban passenger transport
Autonomous Ships, Artificial Intelligence and Uncrewed Systems (MASS)
- 4.1. IMO classification and degrees of autonomy for maritime autonomous surface ships (MASS)
- 4.2. Central control architecture for autonomous navigation and decision-making without human intervention
- 4.3. Latest-generation sensor fusion: LiDAR, solid-state radar, hyperspectral cameras and 3D sonar
- 4.4. Computer vision and AI for situational awareness and real-time obstacle detection
- 4.5. COLREG-compliant navigation algorithms for autonomous collision avoidance
- 4.6. Integrating uncrewed vehicles on board: aerial drones (UAV), surface vessels (USV) and underwater vehicles (ROV, AUV)
- 4.7. Autonomous berthing, anchoring and mooring line handling with port and onboard robotics
- 4.8. Real-time operational digital twins and ultra-low-latency satellite connectivity
- 4.9. Human-machine interfaces (HMI) for remote operations centers (ROC) ashore
- 4.10. Testing, virtual simulation and safety validation of autonomous navigation software
Disruptive Materials, Smart Structures and Advanced Maintenance
- 5.1. Advanced composites: large-scale carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP)
- 5.2. Metamaterials and lightweight high-strength alloys for ship structures
- 5.3. Self-healing materials to mitigate cracks and corrosion
- 5.4. Large-format additive manufacturing (3D printing) for ship blocks and components
- 5.5. Adaptive structures and morphing elements: smart shape memory alloys (SMA)
- 5.6. Structural health monitoring with embedded fiber optic networks
- 5.7. Ultra-light thermal and acoustic insulation with aerogels and porous materials
- 5.8. Structural design for maximum recyclability and the circular economy (Cradle to Cradle criteria)
- 5.9. Corrosion protection with nanotechnology and smart sacrificial anodes
- 5.10. Fatigue analysis and dynamic behavior under impact, explosion and grounding
Future Interior Architecture, Habitability and Ergonomics
- 6.1. Reconfiguring interior space once the conventional engine room and bridge are removed
- 6.2. Designing spaces for reduced crews or roving maintenance teams
- 6.3. Interchangeable modular architecture: cargo and accommodation spaces based on standard modules
- 6.4. Biophilic environments and psychological well-being on long autonomous voyages
- 6.5. Circadian lighting, passive acoustic treatment and indoor microclimate control
- 6.6. Sustainable, ultra-light, fire-resistant interior materials free of toxic emissions (VOC)
- 6.7. Safety, evacuation and accessibility in spaces without permanent staff
- 6.8. Vertical farms on board and closed-loop water and waste recycling
- 6.9. Integrated floating or virtual bridges based on augmented and mixed reality
- 6.10. Adapting interior design to the new professional profiles of the future fleet
Integrated Logistics, Automated Cargo Handling and Port Operations
- 7.1. Modular, reconfigurable vessels for multiple cargo types
- 7.2. A fully automated ship-port interface: loading and discharge with robotics and autonomous cranes
- 7.3. Automatic container lashing and securing systems
- 7.4. Motherships and combined ocean-river transport systems
- 7.5. Clean energy supply networks in port: cold ironing, battery swapping and e-fuel bunkering
- 7.6. Integrating the ship into smart supply chains driven by IoT and blockchain
- 7.7. Maintenance and installation vessels for advanced offshore infrastructure (wind energy, seabed mining)
- 7.8. Optimizing cargo space with smart cryogenic and volumetric storage
- 7.9. Real-time stability and ballast management during ultra-fast cargo operations
- 7.10. Modeling and simulating the global logistics chain in urban and river settings
Cybersecurity, Resilience and Future Maritime Safety
- 8.1. Cyber threats to the hyperconnected ship: zero-trust network architectures on board
- 8.2. Protecting industrial control systems (ICS), operational technology (OT) and propulsion systems
- 8.3. Resilience to GPS and GNSS loss: quantum inertial navigation and optical positioning
- 8.4. Physical and cyber-physical intrusion detection with sensor networks and artificial intelligence
- 8.5. Emergency and recovery protocols for catastrophic failures on uncrewed ships
- 8.6. Critical redundancy and fault tolerance in power and steering systems
- 8.7. Fully automated fire suppression for new fuels (hydrogen, lithium, ammonia)
- 8.8. Environmental safety: preventing spills and filtering microplastics
- 8.9. Liability and insurance rules for autonomous ships and ships powered by new energy sources
- 8.10. Cyber risk assessment and compliance with maritime cybersecurity standards
Advanced Simulation, Virtual Reality and Digital Twins
- 9.1. Multidisciplinary modeling and simulation of complex systems in conceptual stages
- 9.2. Developing the digital twin from design through operation
- 9.3. Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) for design and ergonomic reviews
- 9.4. Large-scale cloud hydrodynamic simulation with high-performance computing (HPC)
- 9.5. Real-time co-simulation of propulsion, hull and sea conditions
- 9.6. Automatic generation of technical documentation and naval BIM models
- 9.7. Optimization with genetic algorithms and reinforcement learning in ship design
- 9.8. Cloud-based collaborative design platforms for global multidisciplinary teams
- 9.9. Validating concepts through simulation of complex sea scenarios and extreme events
- 9.10. Interactive digital prototypes for presentations to investors and clients
Future Regulations, Feasibility and Presentation of Ship Concepts
- 10.1. IMO regulatory trends
- 10.2. Future decarbonization requirements
- 10.3. Regulation of autonomous ships
- 10.4. Technical feasibility analysis
- 10.5. Economic feasibility analysis
- 10.6. Life cycle assessment
- 10.7. Risk analysis of new technologies
- 10.8. Approval of alternative designs
- 10.9. Presenting and communicating concepts
- 10.10. Conceptual ship project
Final Project
- 11.1. Selecting and defining the innovative concept (for example, an autonomous wind-powered container ship, a hydrogen passenger ship or a modular explorer vessel)
- 11.2. Mission profile, operational requirements, commercial feasibility and projected regulatory framework
- 11.3. Developing hull forms, weight estimates and the general arrangement (GA)
- 11.4. Selecting and integrating the zero-emission power plant and analyzing energy efficiency
- 11.5. Naval architecture calculations: hydrostatics, stability, resistance and power estimation
- 11.6. Defining the automation architecture, navigation systems and cybersecurity strategy
- 11.7. Proposing advanced materials, the structural scheme and a life cycle assessment (LCA)
- 11.8. Building the conceptual digital twin, photorealistic 3D renderings and an animation of the operating concept
- 11.9. Writing the full technical report, ship specification and return on investment analysis
- 11.10. Public presentation, oral defense and interactive demonstration of the concept before a panel of experts
Duration and format of the Master's in Conceptual Design of Future Ships
It is 1,500 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 Master's in Conceptual Design of Future Ships
Career opportunities after the Master's in Conceptual Design of Future Ships
Questions about the Master's in Conceptual Design of Future Ships
Innovative ship concepts oriented to the future: zero-emission cargo and passenger ships, wind- and hydrogen-powered vessels, autonomous and remotely operated ships, modular and reconfigurable vessels and support ships for offshore energy.
On both, with engineering at the core. Concepts are developed with naval architecture calculations, hydrodynamics, energy and structural analysis, and also presented visually with 3D renderings, digital prototypes and animations.
It concentrates on the conceptual stage and on emerging technologies such as alternative fuels, autonomy, smart materials and digital twins, rather than on the detailed design and construction of conventional ships.
No. It is a specialist program of Navalis Institute; design approval is granted by classification societies and flag administrations, and signing engineering projects depends on the professional qualifications recognized in each country.
CFD and hydrodynamic simulation, multi-objective and genetic optimization, MBSE approaches, digital twin platforms, VR and AR review environments, naval BIM and cloud-based collaborative design tools.
You choose a disruptive concept and develop its mission profile, hull forms, general arrangement, zero-emission power plant, stability and power estimates, automation and cybersecurity, materials and LCA, digital twin and business case, then defend it before a panel of experts.
It is taught online with practical design projects and comprises 1500 hours of study across 11 modules of about 136 hours each.
More programs in Hull and naval architecture
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 engineers and naval architects who want to lead design innovation, maritime professionals at shipowners, shipyards and classification societies, researchers in the modeling and simulation of complex naval systems, consultants and project engineers, and engineering and science graduates seeking a forward-looking specialization; a degree in naval engineering, naval architecture, industrial design or a related field, or proven experience in ship design and development, is recommended, together with solid knowledge of CAD, 3D modeling and simulation tools and familiarity with shipbuilding rules and sustainability criteria.
- Language: sufficient command of English to follow the classes and the technical documentation.
- Technical resources: a computer with a stable internet connection, camera and microphone, and enough graphics and processing capacity to run CAD, 3D modeling and 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.
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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.