Professional diploma800 h · Online · 8 modules
Professional Diploma in Fleet Management and Naval Operations
Learn to plan, run and supervise fleet management and naval operations: routing, maintenance, crewing, fuel, costs and HSEQ. A private online professional programme with a Navalis Institute certificate.
Duration800 h
ModeOnline
Start1 December
Modules8
Programme diagnosis
Prior knowledge check
These are the skills this programme gives you. Tick the ones you already master and we will tell you which part of the syllabus is for you.
Your diagnosis
6of 6 to cover
You are starting from scratch in this subject. The programme is designed precisely for that.
About the programme
What is the Professional Diploma in Fleet Management and Naval Operations?
This diploma gives you the essential tools to optimise performance and efficiency in the maritime industry. You will learn to plan, run and supervise complex naval operations, maximising profitability and minimising risk. The programme ranges from maintenance and safety management to route optimisation and supply chain management, with a practical approach based on real cases.
What sets it apart is its end-to-end view of the shipping company: it combines daily ship operations, technical management, crewing, fuel and decarbonisation, finance and HSEQ, and culminates in a final project: a strategic fleet management plan. It is a private online professional programme with a Navalis Institute certificate.
Programme typeProfessional diploma
ModeOnline
Duration800 hours
Modules8
Start1 December
Programme highlights
- Optimisation strategies: master the techniques to reduce operating costs and increase fleet efficiency.
- Risk management: identify and mitigate the risks of naval operations, ensuring safety and regulatory compliance.
- Cutting-edge technology: apply the latest fleet management technologies and tools, including data analysis and automation.
- Maritime leadership: develop leadership and team management skills to lead effectively and build a collaborative working environment.
- Data analysis: use data to make informed decisions that improve the performance and safety of your operations.
- Professional networking: connect with industry experts and expand your network in the naval sector.
Syllabus
Syllabus of the Professional Diploma in Fleet Management and Naval Operations
8 modules. Select a module to see its content.
Module 1
Fundamentals of Fleet Management and the Global Maritime Industry
- 1.1. Introduction to fleet management: key concepts, fleet types (merchant, fishing, offshore, passenger) and the structure of the global market
- 1.2. Fleet strategy and sizing: selecting the vessel mix, buy vs. charter decisions (own vs. lease) and useful life cycles
- 1.3. Organisational structure of a shipping company: departmental functions (operations, technical, crewing, HSEQ, commercial) and ship-shore communication
- 1.4. Key performance indicators (KPIs): fleet utilisation metrics, downtime, consumption and operating performance
- 1.5. Shipping economics: tonnage supply and demand, freight rate dynamics, shipping market cycles and macroeconomic factors
- 1.6. International bodies and institutions: the roles of the IMO, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), BIMCO and shipowners' associations
- 1.7. Digital transformation in shipping companies: adoption of fleet management tools, marine IoT, big data and satellite connectivity
- 1.8. Types of shipping companies and management models
At this stage
100 hestimated workload8 wkweeks at your paceModule 2
Daily Ship Operations, Routing and Voyage Planning
- 2.1. Strategic route planning: optimising sea itineraries, distance, economical speed (eco-speed) and weather routing analysis
- 2.2. Ship speed management: slow steaming, design speed and their impact on fuel consumption
- 2.3. Port operations and port-stay times: coordination with ship agents, pilotage, tugs and turnaround time optimisation
- 2.4. Real-time vessel monitoring: use of AIS systems, fleet tracking software and the master's daily noon reports
- 2.5. Contingency management at sea: protocols for adverse weather, route deviations and emergency operational failures
- 2.6. Strategic passages, straits and canals: logistics and regulations for transiting the Panama Canal, the Suez Canal and international straits
- 2.7. Cargo planning and operational stability: supervision of stowage plans, cargo capacities, ballasting and compensation manoeuvres
- 2.8. Ship-office communication
At this stage
100 hestimated workload8 wkweeks at your paceModule 3
Technical Management, Fleet Maintenance and Dry-Docking
- 3.1. Ship maintenance strategies: corrective, preventive, predictive and condition-based maintenance (CBM) of machinery
- 3.2. Planned Maintenance Systems (PMS): implementation and audit of mandatory maintenance software for the fleet
- 3.3. Dry-docking planning and management: preparing technical specifications, selecting shipyards, budgeting and execution
- 3.4. Fleet technical inspections: periodic audits of hull condition, machinery, deck systems and safety installations
- 3.5. Spares and supplies management: technical supply chain, onboard storage, global purchasing and port delivery logistics
- 3.6. Lubricant and fuel analysis: used-oil monitoring programmes, bunker quality analysis and breakdown prevention
- 3.7. Modifications and retrofits management: integration of ballast water treatment systems (BWTS), scrubbers and efficiency upgrades
- 3.8. Dry-dock planning
At this stage
100 hestimated workload8 wkweeks at your paceModule 4
Human Resources and Crew Management
- 4.1. Crew sourcing strategy: recruitment, direct hiring vs. crewing agencies, and retention
- 4.2. Relief and rotation planning: embarkation schedules, visa management, air tickets and global crew mobility logistics
- 4.3. Personnel regulatory compliance: validation of STCW certificates, flag endorsements, medical examinations and certificates of proficiency
- 4.4. Labour regime under the MLC 2006: seafarer employment agreements (SEA), wage management, repatriation and work and rest hour rules
- 4.5. Fatigue prevention and wellbeing on board: workload management, working environment, crew connectivity and mental health
- 4.6. Training and continuous development: simulator training programmes, competence matrix and performance appraisal matrix
- 4.7. Diversity and leadership management: leadership by the master and officers, multicultural teamwork and onboard conflict resolution
- 4.8. Crew training and retention
At this stage
100 hestimated workload8 wkweeks at your paceModule 5
Bunkering, Energy Efficiency and Fleet Decarbonisation
- 5.1. Fuel purchasing management (bunkering): bunker supply contracts, risk hedging strategies and marine fuel quality
- 5.2. Safe bunkering operations: bunkering procedures, official sampling, bunker delivery notes (BDN) and spill prevention
- 5.3. IMO energy efficiency indicators: calculation and implementation of the EEXI (Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index) and the CII (Carbon Intensity Indicator)
- 5.4. Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP): developing SEEMP Parts I, II and III for continuous monitoring of fleet emissions
- 5.5. Energy-saving technologies (EST): low-friction coatings, rigid sails/kites, air lubrication and propeller optimisation
- 5.6. Alternative fuels for fleets: assessing the use of LNG, methanol, ammonia, hydrogen and biofuels in fleet management
- 5.7. Emissions trading and decarbonisation: impact of the EU ETS, the FuelEU Maritime regulatory regime and carbon cost mitigation strategies
- 5.8. Fuel supply contracts
At this stage
100 hestimated workload8 wkweeks at your paceModule 6
Financial Management, Operating Costs and Naval Budget Control
- 6.1. Ship cost structure: classification and analysis of fixed costs (CapEx and OpEx) and variable costs (VoyEx)
- 6.2. Ship operating budget (OpEx): breakdown and budget control of crew, maintenance, spares, insurance, provisions and administration
- 6.3. Voyage costs (VoyEx): estimating and controlling bunker expenses, port charges, canal dues and pilotage and towage services
- 6.4. Voyage estimating: calculating gross revenue and the Time Charter Equivalent (TCE)
- 6.5. Fleet financing models: ship mortgage loans, finance/operating leases, bond issuance and maritime venture capital
- 6.6. Shipyard cost control: budget management of major repairs, change orders and dry-dock cost overruns
- 6.7. Financial audit and management control: budget variance reports, cost deviation analysis and cost accounting per vessel
- 6.8. Annual operating budgets
At this stage
100 hestimated workload8 wkweeks at your paceModule 7
Operational Safety, Quality, Environment and Risk Management (HSEQ)
- 7.1. Integrated Management Systems (HSEQ): integrating ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001 and the ISM Code across the fleet
- 7.2. Proactive risk management: hazard identification in fleet operations, HAZID/HAZOP analysis and critical work permits
- 7.3. Safety culture and the human factor: behaviour-based safety programmes, observation cards and near-miss reporting
- 7.4. Accident and incident investigation: root cause analysis (RCA) methodology, lessons learned and fleet-wide dissemination
- 7.5. Shore-side emergency preparedness and response: setting up the company's Crisis Response Team (CRT) and simulation exercises
- 7.6. Internal and external HSEQ audits: planning audits on board and in shore offices, and follow-up of non-conformities
- 7.7. Service quality management: charterer/customer satisfaction assessment, delivery reliability indices and environmental performance
- 7.8. HSEQ indicators and audits
At this stage
100 hestimated workload8 wkweeks at your paceModule 8
Capstone Project: Strategic Plan for the Integrated Management and Operation of a Fleet
- 8.1. Defining the project scenario: selecting the type and size of merchant or operating fleet, geographical area and business model
- 8.2. Operations and route optimisation plan: itinerary design, economical speed policy, rotation and port call calculation
- 8.3. Technical management and maintenance plan: structuring the five-year dry-dock plan, PMS matrix and spare parts supply strategy
- 8.4. Crewing strategy and MLC/STCW compliance: manning matrix, relief plan, wage policy and labour cost estimation
- 8.5. Energy efficiency and decarbonisation plan: selecting technical and operational saving measures, CII/EEXI compliance plan and emissions management
- 8.6. Financial model and integrated budget: detailed projection of CapEx, OpEx and VoyEx, revenue estimation and calculation of the fleet's TCE
- 8.7. Presentation of the strategic plan
- 8.8. Final presentation: defence of the Integrated Fleet Management Plan before a committee of naval directors and maritime operations experts
At this stage
100 hestimated workload8 wkweeks at your pacePlan your pace
Duration and format of the Professional Diploma in Fleet Management and Naval Operations
It is 800 hours. Tell us how many you can study each week and we will tell you when you will really finish.
4 h30 h
With 12 h per week
15
months to finish
67 weeks
weeks in total
This is the pace at which most students finish. It fits well with the instalment plan.
Faculty
Academic leadership and faculty
The Navalis teaching team: working professionals who teach and supervise the programmes.
Dra. Marina AlcoverAcademic Director and Head of Quality Assurance
Ing. Diego CifuentesSenior Lecturer in Naval Welding and Non-Destructive Testing; Head of QA/QC for Welded Joints
Cap. 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
Dra. Nuria LlobregatSenior Lecturer in Marine Meteorology, SAR and Operational Safety; Navigation Risk Management Coordinator
Ing. Javier BañulsSenior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, Automation and ETO Engineering; Electronic Integration and Engine Alarms Coordinator
Ing. Sofía MarquinaSenior Lecturer in Materials, Composites and Corrosion Protection; Coordinator of the Advanced Paints and Coatings Line
Ing. Tomás RieraSenior Lecturer in Propulsion, Alternative Energy and Hybrid Systems; Energy Performance and Vibration CoordinatorObjectives
Objectives of the Professional Diploma in Fleet Management and Naval Operations
01Optimise the operational efficiency of the fleet.
02Implement predictive maintenance strategies.
03Manage the fleet's human and material resources efficiently.
04Ensure regulatory compliance and maritime safety.
05Assess and mitigate risks in maritime operations.
06Master fleet logistics and supply.
Careers
Career opportunities after the Professional Diploma in Fleet Management and Naval Operations
Frequently asked questions
Questions about the Professional Diploma in Fleet Management and Naval Operations
Yes. It centres on fleet management and the naval operations of a shipping company: daily operations, technical management, crewing, fuel, costs and HSEQ.
Fleet KPIs, planned maintenance systems (PMS), AIS tracking and noon reports, voyage estimating with TCE calculation, and digital fleet management tools, big data and marine IoT.
Online with live sessions, using a practical methodology based on real cases.
It focuses on the management of merchant ships.
Among others, the ISM Code, the STCW Convention, the MLC 2006, the IMO EEXI and CII indicators, the SEEMP, the EU ETS and FuelEU Maritime, as well as ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001.
It is a capstone project in which you design the strategic management and operation plan of a fleet (routes, maintenance, crewing, decarbonisation and financial model) and defend it before a committee of naval directors and maritime operations experts.
No. The programme is studied entirely online and does not include work placements; Navalis Institute does not arrange internships or jobs.
Through practical exercises, operating plans and procedures (SOPs), checklists, micro-tests and an applied final project.
Related programmes
More programmes in Cargo and logistics
Online admission
Admission process
No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enrol in the same session.
Entry requirements
- Profile: a degree in Engineering, Business Administration, Logistics, Transport or a related field; or demonstrable professional experience in fleet management, naval operations or similar roles. Knowledge of maritime law, insurance, risk management, ship maintenance and fleet management software is an advantage.
- Language: sufficient command of the language of instruction; basic technical English is recommended.
- Technical resources: a device with an internet connection, an up-to-date web browser, basic office software skills and familiarity with videoconferencing platforms.
- 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.
- 03EnrolmentChoose full payment or instalments and reserve your place.
Start my applicationFrom CA$ 892 deposit
Admission is provisional until the committee validates the documents provided. If you do not meet the requirements, the full amount is refunded.
Any questions?
Ask us before you enrol
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.