Master’s degree1,500 h · Online · 11 modules
Master's in Maritime Strategy and Geopolitics
This master's gives you a global, integrated view of the strategic challenges and opportunities of the maritime domain. You will analyze the geopolitical dynamics that shape sea routes, chokepoints and strategic corridors, the projection of naval power, maritime intelligence and surveillance, hybrid threats and the international law of the sea, so that you can anticipate risks and design strategies for governments, navies, shipping companies and ports.
Duration1,500 h
ModeOnline
Start1 December
Modules11
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About the program
What is the Master's in Maritime Strategy and Geopolitics?
This master's gives you a global, integrated view of the strategic challenges and opportunities of the maritime domain. You will learn to analyze the power dynamics on the oceans and their impact on the global economy, assess geopolitical risks on critical routes and chokepoints, understand naval force projection, hybrid warfare and maritime intelligence, and apply UNCLOS and the IMO conventions to security and sovereignty, preparing you for roles in strategic analysis, consulting, public administration, defense and the shipping and port industries.
What sets this master's apart: a multidisciplinary approach combining political science, economics, law and security; in-depth study of strategic chokepoints such as Malacca, Hormuz, Bab el-Mandeb, Suez and Panama; maritime intelligence, ISR and surveillance technologies applied to the protection of trade corridors; analysis of alliances such as NATO, the Quad and ASEAN; strategic foresight on the Indo-Pacific, Arctic routes, energy security and subsea cables; and a Final Project in which you design an integrated strategy to monitor and secure strategic sea routes in a high-tension context.
Program typeMaster’s degree
ModeOnline
Duration1,500 hours
Modules11
Start1 December
Program highlights
- Multidisciplinary approach: political science, economics, law and security applied to the sea.
- Routes and chokepoints: Malacca, Hormuz, Bab el-Mandeb, Suez, Panama and the strategic corridors of trade.
- Naval power and hybrid threats: force projection, deterrence, piracy and hybrid warfare at sea.
- Maritime intelligence: ISR, surveillance technologies and multisensor data fusion.
- Strategic foresight: the Indo-Pacific, Arctic routes, energy security and subsea cables.
- Final Project: an integrated strategy to secure strategic sea routes in high-tension contexts.
Syllabus
Syllabus of the Master's in Maritime Strategy and Geopolitics
11 modules. Select a module to see its content.
Module 1
Maritime Risk Management and Navigation Safety: International Regulations and Emergency Procedures
- 1.1. International legal framework for maritime risk: SOLAS, MARPOL, ISPS and the role of the IMO
- 1.2. Assessment of natural, technological, human and geopolitical maritime threats
- 1.3. Risk analysis techniques: HAZID, HAZOP and FMEA for navigation and port operations
- 1.4. Designing and implementing comprehensive risk management plans
- 1.5. Navigation safety systems, the ISM Code and Port State Control inspections
- 1.6. Crisis management and emergency response: interagency coordination, drills and SAR
- 1.7. Early warning and real-time monitoring with AIS, differential GPS and Doppler radar
- 1.8. Maritime cybersecurity: protecting electronic navigation systems
- 1.9. Contingency procedures for pollution and spills under MARPOL
- 1.10. Leadership in risk management, safety culture and Crew Resource Management
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your paceModule 2
Strategic Analysis of Sea Routes and Geopolitical Control in High-Tension Areas
- 2.1. Fundamentals of maritime strategic analysis: geopolitical, economic and military variables
- 2.2. Identifying critical sea routes in areas of high international tension
- 2.3. Port geopolitics: the strategic influence of key ports and logistics hubs
- 2.4. Regional and global power dynamics: state and non-state actors at sea
- 2.5. Geopolitical risk assessment: asymmetric threats, piracy, blockades and naval conflict
- 2.6. Maritime intelligence techniques: SIGINT, IMINT and HUMINT applied to route monitoring
- 2.7. Simulation and predictive analysis of changes in control of maritime corridors
- 2.8. Applying the international law of the sea: UNCLOS, maritime zones and disputed sovereignty
- 2.9. Critical infrastructure and emerging technologies in the control of sea routes
- 2.10. Mitigation and response strategies for maritime geopolitical crises
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your paceModule 3
Risk Analysis, International Regulations and Security Procedures in Strategic Maritime Operations
- 3.1. Risk analysis methods for strategic maritime operations
- 3.2. International legal framework: MARPOL, SOLAS, UNCLOS and the ISPS Code
- 3.3. Regional and bilateral agreements on transit, EEZs and shared jurisdiction
- 3.4. Security procedures across the maritime supply chain against illicit acts and sabotage
- 3.5. Implementing a safety and security management system
- 3.6. Case studies of strategic maritime incidents and multilateral responses
- 3.7. Technology for risk management: satellite surveillance, AI and automated early warning
- 3.8. Training in security and emergency protocols: drills and crisis management
- 3.9. Roles of operators, maritime authorities, navies and international bodies
- 3.10. Integrating environmental and socioeconomic criteria into maritime operations planning
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your paceModule 4
Maritime Intelligence, ISR and Cyber Defense: Force Projection, Hybrid Warfare and Naval Diplomacy
- 4.1. Fundamentals of maritime intelligence: concepts, sources and types
- 4.2. ISR technologies at sea: satellites, UAVs, acoustic sensors and electromagnetic signals
- 4.3. Network architectures for maritime cyber defense and critical SCADA systems
- 4.4. Hybrid threats: state and non-state actors, asymmetric warfare and disinformation
- 4.5. Naval force projection models: control of the sea and deterrence
- 4.6. Hybrid warfare operations at sea: electronic warfare, cyber operations and special forces
- 4.7. Naval diplomacy and international cooperation to protect maritime corridors
- 4.8. Protecting strategic trade corridors: geopolitical analysis and preventive measures
- 4.9. Integrating ISR and cyber defense for real-time decision-making
- 4.10. Case studies of cyberattacks, hybrid confrontations and intelligence operations at sea
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your paceModule 5
Advanced Maritime Detection and Monitoring Technologies for Strategy and International Security
- 5.1. Advanced sensors for maritime detection: multispectral radar, LIDAR and hyperspectral systems
- 5.2. Satellite ocean monitoring: SAR, optical imagery and GNSS reflectometry
- 5.3. Autonomous sensor networks: smart buoys, UUVs and marine drones
- 5.4. Big data, AI and machine learning applied to maritime threat detection
- 5.5. GIS and geoinformatics for the strategic management of maritime space
- 5.6. Advanced AIS capabilities and limitations for protecting exclusive economic zones
- 5.7. Command and control platforms for joint operations and interoperability
- 5.8. Cryptography and cybersecurity in maritime monitoring systems
- 5.9. International agreements on maritime surveillance and security
- 5.10. Case studies of strategic maritime detection in conflict and multinational cooperation
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your paceModule 6
Strategic Routes, Control of Maritime Space and International Regulations for Global Security
- 6.1. Geoeconomic, geopolitical and military assessment of global shipping corridors
- 6.2. Control of maritime space: sovereignty, jurisdiction and EEZs under UNCLOS
- 6.3. Monitoring and control capabilities: ISR and coastal surveillance
- 6.4. SOLAS, MARPOL and ISPS and their impact on naval operations
- 6.5. Multilateral treaties on the control and peaceful use of international waters
- 6.6. Naval warfare technology: fleet interoperability, cyber warfare and asymmetric threats
- 6.7. Strategic chokepoints: Malacca, Hormuz, Bab el-Mandeb, Suez and the Panama Canal
- 6.8. Risk management and response to piracy, terrorism and illicit trafficking
- 6.9. Simulation tools for planning strategic maritime operations
- 6.10. Contemporary cases of maritime conflict and diplomacy
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your paceModule 7
Planning and Coordinating Naval Operations in the International Geopolitical Environment
- 7.1. Strategic framework of naval operations: national interests and power projection at sea
- 7.2. International geopolitical assessment: actors, alliances, conflict and cooperation
- 7.3. Operational planning methods: appraisal, design, execution, coordination and control
- 7.4. Coordinating naval, air and land forces
- 7.5. Management of maritime space: EEZs, territorial waters, innocent passage and areas of strategic interest
- 7.6. Coordination technology: C4ISR, satellite communications and command center automation
- 7.7. Logistics and support in naval operations at sea
- 7.8. Simulation and modeling of operational scenarios
- 7.9. International interoperability and agreements for joint operations
- 7.10. Post-operation assessment, geospatial intelligence reporting and lessons learned
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your paceModule 8
Global Maritime Geopolitics and Influence Strategies for Trade Corridors and Strategic Zones
- 8.1. Classical and contemporary theories of maritime geopolitics
- 8.2. Strategic dynamics of global sea routes: geographic, political and economic analysis
- 8.3. The influence of naval powers on trade corridors: control, deterrence and power projection
- 8.4. Comprehensive maritime security: traditional and asymmetric threats and multilateral responses
- 8.5. International legal regimes of the sea and geopolitical competition
- 8.6. Critical maritime zones: straits, canals, continental shelves and chokepoints
- 8.7. Protecting sea lines of communication (SLOCs) and their vulnerabilities
- 8.8. Geospatial intelligence and cybersecurity for monitoring strategic routes
- 8.9. Maritime alliances and coalitions: NATO, the Quad and ASEAN
- 8.10. Contingency planning and scenario simulation for geopolitical crises
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your paceModule 9
Technology and Regulation in the Detection and Monitoring of Strategic Maritime Threats
- 9.1. Principles of electronic maritime detection: radar, sonar and satellite communications
- 9.2. Designing and deploying maritime sensor networks for real-time surveillance
- 9.3. International and regional rules on maritime monitoring: SOLAS, UNCLOS and the IMO
- 9.4. Automated threat recognition with AI, machine learning and signal processing
- 9.5. Multisensor data fusion of radar, AIS, satellite and electronic surveillance
- 9.6. Operating procedures for responding to threat detection in strategic waters
- 9.7. Technological risk: system vulnerabilities, cyberattacks and mitigation
- 9.8. Legal frameworks for interception and lawful action against trafficking, piracy and terrorism
- 9.9. Geospatial analysis and GIS for maritime intelligence and movement prediction
- 9.10. International cooperation on information sharing and joint surveillance
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your paceModule 10
Strategic Foresight and Maritime Geopolitical Scenarios
- 10.1. Strategic foresight methodologies
- 10.2. Global trends in the maritime domain
- 10.3. Great power competition
- 10.4. The Indo-Pacific as a strategic center
- 10.5. Arctic routes and new sea lanes
- 10.6. Energy security and supply routes
- 10.7. Subsea cables and hybrid warfare
- 10.8. Naval conflict scenarios
- 10.9. Risk analysis for companies
- 10.10. Strategic foresight report
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your paceModule 11
Final Project
- 11.1. Global geopolitical context: state and non-state actors in critical maritime areas
- 11.2. Multidimensional threat assessment: piracy, maritime terrorism, interstate conflict and cyberattacks
- 11.3. Designing hybrid strategies to protect strategic sea routes in high-tension scenarios
- 11.4. Integrating SIGINT, HUMINT and IMINT for strategic decision-making
- 11.5. Real-time maritime monitoring with ISR platforms and distributed command and control
- 11.6. Sensor networks for continuous surveillance: AIS, radar, sonar, satellites and drones
- 11.7. Strategic logistics and supply vulnerabilities of naval and merchant fleets in conflict zones
- 11.8. International law applied to security and sovereignty in disputed waters
- 11.9. Interagency coordination and multinational coalitions for maritime security
- 11.10. Contingency plan for maritime incidents: rapid response and crisis management
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your pacePlan your pace
Duration and format of the Master's in Maritime Strategy and Geopolitics
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 Strategy and Geopolitics
01Analyze and anticipate maritime geostrategic risks: assess political instability, armed conflict, piracy and terrorism in key maritime areas.
02Design maritime strategies: integrate data from multiple sources, such as AIS, radar and satellite imagery, to support strategic decisions.
03Defend national maritime interests: plan and coordinate maritime operations with national and international authorities.
04Negotiate in complex maritime scenarios: build positions that reconcile security, legal frameworks and the interests of the parties involved.
05Evaluate global maritime policies: critically analyze the effectiveness of conventions such as SOLAS, MARPOL and UNCLOS and identify improvements.
06Understand maritime power: analyze the strategies of the major naval powers to anticipate scenarios and opportunities.
Careers
Career opportunities after the Master's in Maritime Strategy and Geopolitics
Frequently asked questions
Questions about the Master's in Maritime Strategy and Geopolitics
The strategic and geopolitical analysis of the maritime domain: sea routes, naval power, maritime security, intelligence and the international law of the sea.
No. It is designed for maritime professionals, security analysts, public officials, shipping and port managers and researchers. The admission interview confirms that your profile fits.
The main chokepoints and corridors, including Malacca, Hormuz, Bab el-Mandeb, Suez and Panama, as well as the Indo-Pacific and emerging Arctic routes.
Yes. Several modules cover ISR, satellite and sensor surveillance, data fusion, artificial intelligence and maritime cybersecurity as tools for strategy.
Yes. Geopolitical risk analysis for shipping companies, ports and energy supply chains is part of the program.
You design an integrated strategy to monitor and secure strategic sea routes in a high-tension geopolitical context, including a contingency plan.
The master's is taught entirely online, with a virtual campus available 24/7, recorded live sessions and tutorials. It comprises 1500 hours of study across 11 modules of about 136 hours each, and you progress at your own pace within the schedule you are given on enrollment.
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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: aimed at maritime and naval professionals who want to understand the links between strategy, geopolitics and the maritime economy, security and defense analysts, diplomats and public officials, executives at shipping and port companies who need to anticipate geopolitical risks, and researchers working on maritime strategy. A degree in political science, international relations, economics, history, law or a related field, or proven professional experience in the maritime, defense, security or geopolitical field, is recommended.
- Language: sufficient command of English to follow the classes and the technical documentation.
- Technical resources: a computer with a stable internet connection, an up-to-date browser and a camera for live sessions and project presentations.
- 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 $1,568 deposit
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.