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Master’s degree · Bridge and navigation

Master's in Remote Operation of Autonomous Ships and the MASS Code

This master's programme prepares you to work in the new generation of autonomous and remotely operated ships. You will work on shore control centres, sensor fusion, communications and failure management, and you will examine the IMO MASS Code and the open legal questions.

100% online1,500 hours11 modulesTaught in EnglishEnrol any time

What is this programme?

This master's degree prepares you to work with the new generation of autonomous and remotely operated ships. With the adoption of the IMO MASS Code, navigation with little or no crew is moving from experimentation to regulation. The programme explains how these ships perceive their surroundings, how they make decisions, how they are supervised from a remote control centre, how they are protected from cyberattacks and what the regulations require for safe operation.

What sets the programme apart: up-to-date regulation, with study of the MASS Code and its relationship to SOLAS, COLREG and STCW; the full technology stack, covering sensors, data fusion, artificial intelligence, communications and control; the remote control centre, including design, manning and shore-based operating procedures; integrated cybersecurity, protecting critical systems on connected ships; and a real project in which you design the concept of operations (ConOps) for an autonomous ship.

Programme highlights

  • Understand autonomy: levels and architectures of MASS vessels.
  • Master perception: radar, LiDAR, cameras, AIS and sensor fusion.
  • Operate remotely: supervising ships from a remote control centre.
  • Comply with regulation: applying the MASS Code and approval processes.
  • Lead innovation: position yourself in a field with strong growth in the sector.
  • Join the generation that will operate the autonomous ships already being built.

Study plan

01Fundamentals of Autonomous Ships136 h
Definition of the maritime autonomous surface ship, levels and modes of autonomy, history of the projects, ships in service and under construction, benefits (safety, cost, efficiency and new tasks), current technical and operational limitations, candidate ship types and operations, value chain and stakeholders, impact on maritime professions and adoption scenarios.
02Regulatory Framework: the MASS Code and IMO Instruments136 h
The IMO regulatory process on autonomy, structure and scope of the MASS Code, relationship to SOLAS, COLREG, STCW and MARPOL, the concept of operations (ConOps) and its approval, the role of the master and liability on remotely operated ships, control centre requirements, trials in national waters, insurance and civil liability, classification society rules and the expected evolution of regulation.
03Sensors, Perception and Data Fusion136 h
Radar and signal processing, LiDAR in marine environments, visible and infrared cameras, AIS, GNSS and inertial systems, acoustic and meteorological sensors, multi-sensor fusion and Kalman filters, target detection and tracking, adverse conditions (rain, fog, waves), calibration and redundancy, and the ship's situational awareness.
04Artificial Intelligence for Navigation136 h
Machine learning and computer vision, classification of vessels and objects, trajectory prediction for other ships, COLREG-compliant collision avoidance algorithms, route planning and optimisation, reinforcement learning and simulation, validation and verification of AI systems, explainability and operator trust, data bias and limits, and certification of AI software in safety-critical environments.
05Control, Manoeuvring and Onboard Systems136 h
Control architecture of the autonomous ship, advanced autopilot and track-keeping, autonomous berthing and unberthing, electric propulsion and power control, unattended machinery monitoring, predictive maintenance and self-diagnosis, failure management and degraded modes, minimum-risk manoeuvres, integration with port systems and sea trials.
06Communications and Connectivity136 h
Ship-shore communication requirements, low-earth-orbit and geostationary satellites and maritime 5G, latency, bandwidth and availability, redundancy and management of link loss, transmission of video and sensor data, communications with other ships and with VTS, e-navigation and S-100 services, prioritisation of critical data, trials on real routes and sizing costs.
07Remote Control Centre: Design and Operation136 h
Functions of the remote operations centre (ROC), workstation design and ergonomics, manning, shifts and the operator-to-ship ratio, human-machine interfaces and alarm management, taking control and handover between centres, normal and emergency procedures, fatigue and workload, operator training and qualification, simulators and performance indicators.
08Cybersecurity of Autonomous Ships136 h
Attack surface of a connected ship, IMO guidelines on cyber risk management, IACS UR E26 and E27 requirements, network segmentation and secure architecture, link protection, GNSS and AIS spoofing, intrusion detection and incident response, software supply-chain security, penetration testing and recovery of operations.
09Risk Management, Safety and the Human Factor136 h
Risk analysis of autonomous systems, STPA, FMEA and fault-tree methods, safety cases, interaction with crewed ships, search and rescue with uncrewed ships, emergency response without crew, human factors in remote supervision, liability and decision-making, incident investigation and acceptance by the maritime community.
10Business Models and Implementation136 h
Use cases (short-sea shipping, ferries, port services, offshore), autonomous ships for surveillance, hydrography and support, cost-benefit analysis, retrofit of existing ships, alliances between shipping companies, shipyards and technology firms, change management, relations with ports and authorities, testing and scaling plans, financing innovation and market trends.
11Master's Final Project: Concept of Operations for an Autonomous Ship136 h
Selection of the ship, route and operation, definition of the level of autonomy, sensor and system architecture, connectivity and redundancy design, remote control centre design, risk analysis and safety case, cybersecurity plan, MASS Code compliance and approval plan, economic and implementation study, and writing of the report with defence before an examination panel.

Duration and format

1,500hours in total
11modules of 136 hours
100%online, at your own pace
Openenrolment all year round

At 10 hours a week you would finish in about 150 weeks; at 20 hours a week, in about 75.

What you will learn

  • Understand the levels of autonomy.
  • Design the system architecture.
  • Apply artificial intelligence to navigation.
  • Operate from a remote control centre.
  • Manage the risks.
  • Apply the MASS Code.

Career outcomes

  • Remote control centre operator: supervising and controlling autonomous ships from shore.
  • Autonomous systems engineer: designing and integrating perception, decision-making and control.
  • MASS regulation specialist: securing approval of concepts of operation from administrations and classification societies.
  • Maritime cybersecurity manager: protecting connected ships and control centres.
  • Innovation project manager: developing autonomy pilots in shipping companies and ports.
  • Maritime digital transformation consultant: providing strategic advice on autonomy.

Entry requirements

  • Academic or professional profile: a degree in nautical science, naval engineering, electronics, telecommunications, computer science or robotics, or accredited experience as a deck officer or in maritime systems.
  • Language: a sufficient command of the language of instruction to follow classes and materials. A basic level of technical English is recommended, since much of the sector's regulation and documentation is in English.
  • Technical resources: a computer with a stable internet connection, an up-to-date browser and a camera for live sessions and project presentations.
  • Admission process: online application, profile review and a short interview with the academic team.

How to enrol

Enrol online

Complete your enrolment on this page, or apply through admissions if you prefer to talk to us first.

Receive your access

We send you the details to enter the virtual campus and start the programme.

Study at your pace

Work through the modules when it suits you and complete the programme from anywhere in the world.

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