Professional Diploma in Energy Innovation and Decarbonisation for Vessels
This professional diploma puts you at the forefront of sustainable maritime energy. You will learn how to lead the shift towards cleaner and more efficient vessels, mastering emerging technologies and emission-reduction strategies, from hull efficiency and hybrid propulsion to alternative fuels, wind assistance and port infrastructure, and gain the tools to assess, plan and manage innovative energy solutions for every type of vessel.
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 Professional Diploma in Energy Innovation and Decarbonisation for Vessels?
This professional diploma trains you to plan and manage the energy transition of a vessel or fleet. You will study energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in shipping, the IMO strategy and the European FuelEU Maritime and ETS rules, hull, coating, propeller and heat-recovery measures and the EEDI, EEXI and CII indicators, hybrid and electric architectures, marine batteries and shore power, LNG, methanol, ammonia, hydrogen, biofuels and e-fuels, wind-assisted propulsion and onboard solar, the safe storage of new fuels under the IGF Code, bunkering and green ports, and the life-cycle, cost and business-model analysis that decides whether a project is viable.
What sets this professional diploma apart: rather than focusing on how onboard electrical systems are engineered, it takes a strategic decarbonisation view that links regulation, technology, fuel supply and economics; it compares every pathway, from efficiency retrofits to alternative fuels and wind assistance, on the same criteria; it covers fishing fleets, leisure craft, cruise ships, ferries and tugs, not only large merchant ships; it treats safety and crew training for low-flashpoint fuels as part of the design; and it ends with a final project in which you build a complete energy transition proposal for a specific vessel.
Program highlights
- Regulation and strategy: GHG emissions, the IMO strategy, FuelEU Maritime and the EU ETS by vessel segment.
- Energy efficiency: hull resistance, low-friction coatings, propellers, heat recovery, trim and EEDI, EEXI and CII.
- Electric and hybrid propulsion: architectures, marine batteries, energy management and shore power.
- Alternative fuels: LNG and biomethane, methanol, ammonia, hydrogen and fuel cells, biofuels, e-fuels and carbon capture.
- Renewables, storage and supply: wind assistance, solar, the IGF Code, bunkering, green ports and hydrogen hubs.
- Final project: an energy transition proposal for a vessel, with life-cycle, cost and feasibility analysis.
Syllabus of the Professional Diploma in Energy Innovation and Decarbonisation for Vessels
8 modules. Select a module to see its content.
Energy and maritime transport
- 1.1. Energy consumption in the sector
- 1.2. Greenhouse gas emissions
- 1.3. The IMO strategy
- 1.4. European regulation: FuelEU Maritime and the ETS
- 1.5. Challenges of the transition
- 1.6. Energy transition in fishing fleets
- 1.7. Transition in the leisure sector
- 1.8. Transition in cruise shipping
Ship energy efficiency
- 2.1. Hull design and resistance
- 2.2. Low-friction coatings
- 2.3. Propellers and energy-saving devices
- 2.4. Heat recovery
- 2.5. The EEDI, EEXI and CII indicators
- 2.6. Trim optimization
- 2.7. Hull cleaning
- 2.8. Onboard energy management
Electric and hybrid propulsion
- 3.1. Hybrid architectures
- 3.2. Marine batteries
- 3.3. Energy management systems
- 3.4. Shore connection (cold ironing)
- 3.5. Electric ferry case studies
- 3.6. Electric ferries
- 3.7. Electric leisure craft
- 3.8. Hybrid tugs
Alternative fuels
- 4.1. LNG and biomethane
- 4.2. Methanol
- 4.3. Ammonia
- 4.4. Hydrogen and fuel cells
- 4.5. Biofuels
- 4.6. E-fuels and synthetic fuels
- 4.7. Carbon capture
- 4.8. Transition fuels
Renewable energy on board
- 5.1. Wind-assisted propulsion: rigid sails and Flettner rotors
- 5.2. Solar photovoltaics
- 5.3. Traction kites
- 5.4. Integration into the vessel
- 5.5. Expected savings
- 5.6. Flettner rotors
- 5.7. Rigid wings
- 5.8. Automated sails
Storage and safety
- 6.1. Cryogenic and pressurized tanks
- 6.2. Lithium battery safety
- 6.3. The IGF Code
- 6.4. Crew training
- 6.5. Risk analysis
- 6.6. Training for low-flashpoint fuels
- 6.7. Thermal management
- 6.8. Ventilation of spaces
Infrastructure and supply
- 7.1. Bunkering of alternative fuels
- 7.2. Green ports
- 7.3. Quay electrification
- 7.4. The supply chain
- 7.5. Global availability
- 7.6. LNG bunkering ports
- 7.7. Hydrogen hubs
- 7.8. Charging points for electric boats
Innovation and feasibility
- 8.1. Life-cycle analysis
- 8.2. Costs and project funding
- 8.3. Pilot projects
- 8.4. Start-ups and emerging technology
- 8.5. Public support programs for projects
- 8.6. Business models
- 8.7. Success stories
- 8.8. Final project: an energy transition proposal for a vessel
Duration and format of the Professional Diploma in Energy Innovation and Decarbonisation for Vessels
It is 800 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 Professional Diploma in Energy Innovation and Decarbonisation for Vessels
Career opportunities after the Professional Diploma in Energy Innovation and Decarbonisation for Vessels
Questions about the Professional Diploma in Energy Innovation and Decarbonisation for Vessels
The whole maritime industry: merchant shipping, ferries and cruise lines, fishing fleets, tugs and harbor craft, nautical tourism and leisure boating, as well as the shipyards, ports, suppliers and consultancies that serve them.
Vessels of all sizes, from small leisure craft and fishing boats to ferries, tugs, cruise ships and large merchant vessels, with specific content on the transition in each segment.
It looks at decarbonisation strategically: regulation, efficiency, fuel choice, wind assistance, bunkering infrastructure, safety and economics. Electrical and hybrid systems are one module within that wider picture rather than the main subject.
Yes. You study the IMO greenhouse gas strategy, the EEDI, EEXI and CII indicators, and the European FuelEU Maritime and ETS frameworks, and how they affect decisions on a vessel or fleet.
LNG and biomethane, methanol, ammonia, hydrogen and fuel cells, biofuels, e-fuels and synthetic fuels, as well as onboard carbon capture and the role of transition fuels, together with their storage, safety and bunkering.
You prepare an energy transition proposal for a specific vessel, comparing technological options and assessing their life cycle, costs, infrastructure needs, safety and business case.
Fully online, with asynchronous modules available 24/7, collaborative discussion forums, live sessions that are recorded and tutorials with the teaching staff, so you can combine it with your professional activity.
More programs in Marine energy
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 and marine engineers, shipowners and fleet operators, energy consultants, engineering and marine science students, and energy-sector professionals moving into maritime transport; a degree in engineering (energy, mechanical, electrical or naval), environmental sciences or a related field, or proven professional experience in the maritime or energy sector, is recommended, and basic knowledge of energy systems, marine technology and environmental regulation is valued.
- Language: sufficient command of English to follow the classes and the technical documentation.
- Technical resources: a computer with a camera and microphone, a high-speed internet connection, an up-to-date web browser and software for viewing 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.
Admission is provisional until the committee validates the documents provided. If you do not meet the requirements, the full amount is refunded.
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.