Master’s degree1,500 h · Online · 11 modules
Master's in Maritime Safety Policy (IMO, SOLAS, MARPOL)
This master's gives you an in-depth understanding of the international regulatory framework for maritime safety, security and pollution prevention. You will study how the IMO works, the technical and operational requirements of SOLAS, the annexes of MARPOL, the ISM and ISPS Codes, port State control and accident investigation, decarbonization policy, cybersecurity and autonomous ships, and the human element under STCW and MLC, so you can lead the implementation of these rules in shipping companies, ports and maritime administrations and turn compliance into real prevention.
Duration1,500 h
ModeOnline
Start1 December
Modules11
Program diagnosis
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.
Your diagnosis
6of 6 to cover
You are starting from scratch in this subject. The program is designed precisely for that.
About the program
What is the Master's in Maritime Safety Policy (IMO, SOLAS, MARPOL)?
This master's treats maritime safety policy as a system that links regulation, operations, technology, the environment and enforcement. You will study the difference between safety, security and environmental protection, the history and institutions of IMO governance and the roles of flag States, port States, shipowners and classification societies; SOLAS requirements for construction, stability, fire protection, life-saving appliances, GMDSS, navigation equipment and dangerous cargo; MARPOL rules on oil, noxious liquids, sewage, garbage and air emissions; the ISM Code, safety management systems, the DPA and safety culture; the ISPS Code, ship and port facility security plans and threat assessment; accident investigation, root cause analysis and port State control inspections and detentions; decarbonization, carbon intensity and alternative fuels; digitalization, cyber risk and MASS; national implementation and regional cooperation; and STCW, MLC 2006, fatigue and the human element.
What sets this master's apart: it works at three levels at once, the ship, the company and the State, so you learn both to build a compliant safety management system and to design national maritime policy that turns international obligations into real supervisory capacity; it covers enforcement and learning, from evidence gathering with VDR data to PSC deficiency management and lessons learned; it addresses the new regulatory challenges of decarbonization, cybersecurity and autonomous ships; and it closes with a Final Project in which you design a complete maritime safety policy for a country, company, fleet or port and defend it.
Program typeMaster’s degree
ModeOnline
Duration1,500 hours
Modules11
Start1 December
Program highlights
- IMO governance: conventions, codes, circulars and resolutions and the roles of flag States, port States and classification societies.
- SOLAS and MARPOL in depth: ship construction, fire safety, life-saving appliances, GMDSS, oil, garbage, sewage and air emissions.
- ISM and ISPS Codes: safety management systems, safety culture, ship and port facility security plans and threat response.
- Enforcement and learning: accident investigation, root cause analysis, port State control and deficiency management.
- New challenges: decarbonization and alternative fuels, maritime cybersecurity, autonomous ships and the human element under STCW and MLC.
- Final Project: a complete maritime safety policy for a country, company, fleet or port.
Syllabus
Syllabus of the Master's in Maritime Safety Policy (IMO, SOLAS, MARPOL)
11 modules. Select a module to see its content.
Module 1
Foundations of international maritime safety, regulatory governance and the institutional architecture of the IMO
- 1.1. The concept of maritime safety and the differences between safety, security, environmental protection, operational prevention and maritime risk management
- 1.2. The historical evolution of international maritime regulation and the role of the International Maritime Organization in global governance
- 1.3. The relationship between international conventions, flag States, port States, shipowners, operators and classification societies
- 1.4. Principles of accident prevention, safety of life at sea, pollution control and operational responsibility
- 1.5. Differences between mandatory rules, technical codes, guidelines, circulars, resolutions and implementation standards
- 1.6. Key actors: the IMO, maritime administrations, harbor masters, ports, shipping companies, shipyards, insurers, inspectors and regional bodies
- 1.7. Priority maritime risks: collision, fire, grounding, sinking, pollution, technical failure, fatigue and unlawful threats
- 1.8. The relationship between maritime safety, international trade, the blue economy, sustainability, reputation and operational continuity
- 1.9. Current trends in digitalization, decarbonization, autonomous ships, cybersecurity and regulatory updates
- 1.10. A systems approach to maritime safety policy as the integration of regulation, operations, technology, environment and compliance
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your paceModule 2
The SOLAS Convention, safety of life at sea and technical safety requirements for ships
- 2.1. Foundations of the SOLAS Convention and its central role in the technical, operational and construction safety of ships
- 2.2. Requirements for construction, subdivision, stability, machinery, electrical installations and structural fire protection
- 2.3. Fire prevention, detection and extinction on board through systems, procedures and operational organization
- 2.4. Life-saving appliances: lifeboats, liferafts, personal devices, abandoning ship and crew preparedness
- 2.5. Radiocommunications, GMDSS, distress alerts, SAR coordination and continuity of emergency communications
- 2.6. Safety of navigation, bridge equipment, nautical charts, ECDIS, AIS, radar, VDR and watchkeeping organization
- 2.7. Carriage of dangerous goods, bulk cargo, containers and special cargo and safe stowage requirements
- 2.8. Operational safety management through the ISM Code and the responsibilities of the shipowner, company and master
- 2.9. Inspections, certificates, audits and enforcement of SOLAS compliance by flag States, port States and classification societies
- 2.10. Building internal policies to ensure SOLAS compliance, reduce accidents and protect human life effectively
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your paceModule 3
The MARPOL Convention, pollution prevention and environmental management of ships and maritime operations
- 3.1. Foundations of the MARPOL Convention and its structure for preventing pollution by oil, noxious substances, sewage, garbage and emissions
- 3.2. Prevention of oil pollution: SOPEP plans, segregation, record of operations and discharge control
- 3.3. Noxious liquid substances, dangerous goods, chemical cargo and environmentally safe handling requirements
- 3.4. Management of sewage, garbage, operational waste, plastics, food waste, ash, oils and hazardous materials on board
- 3.5. Control of air emissions: sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, energy efficiency and emission control areas
- 3.6. Treatment systems, separators, incinerators, scrubbers, holding tanks and environmental mitigation technologies
- 3.7. Record books, certificates, environmental audits, port inspections and evidence of operational compliance
- 3.8. Liability for spills, investigation of environmental incidents, penalties, claims and damage repair
- 3.9. The relationship between MARPOL, maritime ESG, decarbonization, alternative fuels and corporate sustainability policies
- 3.10. Building maritime environmental management systems that ensure prevention, compliance and continuous improvement
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your paceModule 4
Operational safety management, the ISM Code, preventive culture and risk control in shipping companies
- 4.1. Foundations of the ISM Code and its role in the systematic management of safety and pollution prevention
- 4.2. The safety management system: policy, responsibilities, procedures, resources, communication and management review
- 4.3. Hazard identification, risk assessment, control measures and management of change in maritime operations
- 4.4. Critical operating procedures: navigation, cargo, maintenance, bunkering, enclosed spaces, hot work and emergencies
- 4.5. The role of the DPA, master, officers, crew, technical superintendents and head office in operational safety
- 4.6. Safety culture, incident and near-miss reporting, organizational learning and prevention of human error
- 4.7. Internal and external audits, nonconformities, corrective actions and continuous improvement of the SMS
- 4.8. Management of fatigue, competence, training, familiarization and human performance in demanding maritime environments
- 4.9. Integration of the ISM Code with quality, environment, cybersecurity, occupational health and operational continuity
- 4.10. Building safety management models that turn compliance into real preventive capability
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your paceModule 5
Maritime security, port facility protection, the ISPS Code and response to unlawful threats
- 5.1. Foundations of maritime security and the differences between operational safety, protection against unlawful acts and maritime defense
- 5.2. The ISPS Code, security levels and ship and port facility security plans
- 5.3. Threat assessment: terrorism, sabotage, piracy, stowaways, smuggling, theft, cyberattacks and unauthorized access
- 5.4. Roles of the ship security officer, company security officer, port facility security officer and competent authorities
- 5.5. Access control, surveillance, identification, patrols, restricted areas and management of visitors and suppliers
- 5.6. Ship-port coordination, declarations of security, security communications and management of calls at sensitive ports
- 5.7. Response to security incidents: escalation, coordination with authorities, preservation of evidence and operational continuity
- 5.8. Integration of physical security, maritime cybersecurity, cargo security and logistics chain security
- 5.9. Audits, exercises, drills, training and verification of ISPS compliance
- 5.10. Building maritime security policies that reduce unlawful threats without hurting operational efficiency
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your paceModule 6
Accident investigation, port State control and enforcement of maritime compliance
- 6.1. Foundations of marine casualty investigation and the differences between technical investigation, administrative investigation and legal liability
- 6.2. Types of accidents: collisions, groundings, fires, explosions, sinkings, injuries, pollution and loss of cargo
- 6.3. Gathering evidence: VDR, bridge records, communications, maintenance, certificates, statements and operational data
- 6.4. Root cause analysis, human factors, technical failures, organizational deficiencies and preventive barriers
- 6.5. Port State control: PSC inspections, detentions, deficiencies and follow-up of corrections
- 6.6. The relationship between flag, port, classification society, company, insurer and authorities in enforcement processes
- 6.7. Management of nonconformities, major deficiencies, mandatory reporting, corrective plans and verification of closure
- 6.8. Use of accident statistics, inspection trends and risk profiles to design preventive policies
- 6.9. Communication of lessons learned, safety recommendations and improvement of company procedures
- 6.10. Building enforcement and learning systems that reduce accident recurrence and strengthen maritime compliance
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your paceModule 7
Decarbonization, energy efficiency and environmental transition policy in shipping
- 7.1. Foundations of maritime decarbonization and the relationship between safety, sustainability, energy efficiency and competitiveness
- 7.2. Technical and operational energy efficiency measures: design, propulsion, route and speed optimization and maintenance
- 7.3. Carbon intensity indicators, energy efficiency plans and environmental performance monitoring mechanisms
- 7.4. Alternative fuels: LNG, methanol, hydrogen, ammonia and biofuels and their associated safety and operational risks
- 7.5. Electrification, shore power, batteries, hybrid systems and energy management in port and at sea
- 7.6. The impact of new environmental policies on ship design, fleet operations, insurance, financing and maritime trade
- 7.7. Assessment of technical, regulatory, economic and safety risks in maritime energy transition projects
- 7.8. The relationship between MARPOL, climate strategy, green taxonomy, ESG and sustainable financing for maritime assets
- 7.9. Emissions data management, reporting, verification, audit and transparency toward authorities and investors
- 7.10. Building maritime environmental transition policies that balance emission reduction, safety and operational viability
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your paceModule 8
Maritime digitalization, cybersecurity, autonomous ships and new regulatory challenges for safety
- 8.1. Digitalization of the ship and the maritime ecosystem: ECDIS, AIS, VDR, integrated bridge systems, IoT and fleet management platforms
- 8.2. Maritime cybersecurity in IT and OT systems, navigation, communications, cargo, maintenance and port operations
- 8.3. Cyber risk management within the company's safety management system and operational continuity
- 8.4. Autonomous ships: MASS, remote control, supervised autonomy and challenges for liability, watchkeeping and certification
- 8.5. Artificial intelligence, predictive analytics and decision support in navigation, maintenance, safety and environmental management
- 8.6. Interoperability, maritime data, information exchange and the risks of technological dependence
- 8.7. New risks of automation: loss of situational awareness, software failures, sensor degradation and dependence on connectivity
- 8.8. Emerging regulation, maritime sandboxes, controlled trials and adaptation of traditional conventions to new technologies
- 8.9. Audit, training and digital competencies of crews, inspectors, operators and maritime authorities
- 8.10. Building maritime safety policies adapted to connected and autonomous ships and digitalized operations
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your paceModule 9
Governance, international cooperation, national implementation and integrated maritime policy
- 9.1. Foundations of the national implementation of international conventions and the relationship between ratification, transposition, enforcement and administrative capacity
- 9.2. Design of national maritime policies aligned with the IMO, SOLAS, MARPOL, ISM, ISPS and the State's strategic priorities
- 9.3. Coordination between maritime administrations, port authorities, coast guards, navies, environmental agencies and transport bodies
- 9.4. Regional cooperation on maritime safety, environmental protection, SAR, pollution control and prevention of unlawful activities
- 9.5. Institutional capacity building: inspector training, certification systems, laboratories, registers and information platforms
- 9.6. Management of national maritime crises: major pollution, mass casualty accidents, port blockades, SAR emergencies and security threats
- 9.7. Participation in international committees, regulatory negotiation, technical representation and defense of national interests
- 9.8. Performance indicators for maritime policy: accident rates, PSC detentions, emissions, compliance, emergency response and flag reputation
- 9.9. Integration of maritime safety with the blue economy, port planning, the energy transition and sustainable coastal development
- 9.10. Building maritime policy frameworks that turn international obligations into real supervisory and improvement capacity
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your paceModule 10
The STCW and MLC Conventions and the human element in maritime safety
- 10.1. The STCW Convention and seafarer training
- 10.2. The MLC 2006 Convention and working conditions
- 10.3. The human element in maritime accidents
- 10.4. Fatigue, hours of rest and watchkeeping management
- 10.5. Bridge and engine room resource management
- 10.6. Safety culture and behavior
- 10.7. Mental health and well-being on board
- 10.8. Inspections of living and working conditions
- 10.9. Diversity and equality in the maritime sector
- 10.10. Continuous training and competence policies
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your paceModule 11
Final Project
- 11.1. Definition of the case study: national policy, shipping company, fleet, port, compliance program or maritime safety strategy
- 11.2. Diagnosis of the regulatory, operational, environmental, institutional and technological context of the selected maritime system
- 11.3. Assessment of compliance with the IMO, SOLAS, MARPOL, ISM, ISPS and other applicable instruments
- 11.4. Identification of safety, security, pollution, operational, enforcement and reputational risks in the case
- 11.5. Design of the safety and compliance management model with responsibilities, procedures, audits and continuous improvement
- 11.6. Integration of environmental policies, decarbonization, energy efficiency and prevention of marine pollution
- 11.7. Development of a strategy for enforcement, training, accident investigation, PSC control or corporate oversight
- 11.8. Incorporation of digitalization, cybersecurity, data, emerging technologies and regulatory adaptation into the proposal
- 11.9. Writing of the full technical report with regulatory, operational, environmental, institutional and strategic justification
- 11.10. Presentation and defense of the Final Project with an overall validation of the proposed maritime safety policy
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your pacePlan your pace
Duration and format of the Master's in Maritime Safety Policy (IMO, SOLAS, MARPOL)
It is 1,500 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
29
months to finish
125 weeks
weeks in total
This is the pace at which most students finish. It fits well with the installment plan.
Faculty
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
Objectives of the Master's in Maritime Safety Policy (IMO, SOLAS, MARPOL)
01Implement security measures for ships and port facilities, carrying out risk assessments that identify threats and vulnerabilities and developing appropriate security plans.
02Ensure regulatory compliance in maritime safety and security management, implementing the ISPS Code, verifying security levels and coordinating with port authorities.
03Lead the response to emergencies at sea: assess the situation, activate the ship's emergency plan, notify the MRCC or coast guard and direct the crew to protect life, the environment and the ship.
04Optimize the environmental management of maritime operations with onboard waste and wastewater procedures that ensure compliance and minimize impact on the marine ecosystem.
05Assess and mitigate risks in the maritime supply chain with proactive contingency plans for weather, geopolitical and cyber disruptions and alternative suppliers and routes.
06Develop and implement maritime cybersecurity strategies, applying frameworks such as NIST and ISO 27001 to the maritime OT/ICS environment, including network segmentation and identity management.
Careers
Career opportunities after the Master's in Maritime Safety Policy (IMO, SOLAS, MARPOL)
Frequently asked questions
Questions about the Master's in Maritime Safety Policy (IMO, SOLAS, MARPOL)
Mainly the IMO framework and the SOLAS and MARPOL Conventions, together with the ISM and ISPS Codes, port State control and the STCW and MLC Conventions on the human element.
Both. You learn to build safety and environmental management systems for ships and companies, and to design national maritime policy, enforcement and international cooperation.
No. The program is aimed at shipowners, shipping companies and insurers, public officials, consultants and auditors, HSEQ managers and graduates in law, nautical studies or naval engineering. The admission interview confirms that your profile fits.
Yes. A full module covers ship digitalization, IT and OT cybersecurity, cyber risk in the SMS, MASS and remote control, AI in decision support and how conventions are adapting to new technologies.
Navalis teaches the subject matter in depth. Official appointments and certificates, such as those for PSC inspectors or ship and port facility security officers, are issued by the competent maritime authorities under their own requirements.
Online, with 24/7 access to the materials and personalized tutoring, designed for working professionals.
Through case studies and assignments throughout the modules and a Final Project in which you design and defend a maritime safety policy for a country, company, fleet or port.
A Navalis Institute master's certificate and a Final Project with compliance assessment, risk analysis and a safety management model that you can use as a professional portfolio.
Related programs
More programs in Law and regulation
Online admission
Admission process
No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enroll in the same session.
Entry requirements
- Profile: a degree in law, political science, international relations, nautical studies, maritime transport, naval or marine engineering or a related field, or professional experience in the maritime or security sector; basic knowledge of international maritime law is an advantage.
- Language: sufficient command of English to follow the classes and the technical documentation.
- Technical resources: a computer with camera and microphone, a stable internet connection and software for reading PDF files and documents.
- 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.
Start my applicationFrom $1,428 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 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.