Professional Diploma in Marine Electrical Systems
This professional diploma gives you the knowledge and practical skills to design, operate and maintain the complex electrical systems found on board ships. You will work through power generation and distribution, switchboards and protection, power electronics and electric propulsion, integrated automation, high-voltage safety and shore connection, always within the framework of SOLAS and classification society rules, so that you can keep shipboard operations safe, reliable and energy-efficient.
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.
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What is the Professional Diploma in Marine Electrical Systems?
This professional diploma takes you deep into the electrical installations of merchant ships, offshore units and modern vessels, well beyond basic boat wiring. You will study AC and DC distribution on board, IT, TN and TT earthing schemes, voltage-drop calculations and the requirements of SOLAS and the classification societies; marine alternators, shaft and emergency generators, AVRs, synchronization and load sharing; main and emergency switchboards, circuit breakers, protection relays, insulation monitoring and selectivity; rectifiers, inverters and variable frequency drives, diesel-electric propulsion, azipods and thrusters; integrated automation and alarm systems, PLCs, onboard networks and dynamic positioning; high-voltage work, arc flash, LOTO and hazardous areas; shore power under IEC/IEEE 80005, battery storage and hybrid vessels; and preventive, predictive and power-quality-based maintenance.
What sets this diploma apart: a complete view of the shipboard power chain, from the generator to the propulsion motor and the shore connection; a strong regulatory backbone built on SOLAS and classification society rules; dedicated coverage of high voltage, arc flash and Ex equipment for tankers and gas carriers; up-to-date content on electric and hybrid propulsion, battery storage and cold ironing; and a practical maintenance focus with insulation testing, thermography, harmonic analysis and commissioning procedures.
Program highlights
- Full power chain: generation, distribution, protection, conversion and propulsion on board.
- Rules-based approach: SOLAS and classification society requirements for electrical installations.
- Electric propulsion: VFDs, diesel-electric configurations, azipods and bow thrusters.
- Automation: IAS/AMS, PLCs, onboard networks, alarm systems and dynamic positioning.
- High-voltage safety: LOTO, arc flash, hazardous areas and explosion-proof equipment.
- Future-ready: shore power, battery storage, hybrid and fully electric vessels.
Syllabus of the Professional Diploma in Marine Electrical Systems
8 modules. Select a module to see its content.
Marine electrical fundamentals and regulations
- 1.1. Principles of power distribution on ships and floating units
- 1.2. AC and DC systems on board
- 1.3. Classification society rules for electrical installations
- 1.4. The SOLAS Convention and safety requirements for marine electrical power
- 1.5. Electrical insulation and earthing in metal hulls
- 1.6. Distribution schemes in the marine environment: IT, TN and TT
- 1.7. Voltage-drop calculations and sizing of marine cables
- 1.8. Applying classification society rules in practice
Power generation and marine electrical plants
- 2.1. Marine alternators and generators: construction and characteristics
- 2.2. Auxiliary diesel, shaft and emergency generators
- 2.3. Automatic voltage regulation (AVR) and excitation systems
- 2.4. Paralleling, synchronization and load sharing between generators
- 2.5. Automatic start, stop and interconnection systems
- 2.6. Emergency generating sets and backup batteries for essential services
- 2.7. Energy efficiency and fuel consumption optimization on board
- 2.8. Emergency generators and generating sets in operation
Distribution boards, protection and switchboards
- 3.1. Main switchboard (MSB) and emergency switchboard (ESB)
- 3.2. Power circuit breakers, breakers and isolators
- 3.3. Protection against overload, short circuit and earth faults
- 3.4. Protection relays, phase monitoring and discrimination
- 3.5. Continuous insulation monitoring in IT networks
- 3.6. Marine distribution and switching transformers
- 3.7. Maintenance, thermography and testing of high- and low-voltage switchboards
- 3.8. Selectivity of protective devices
Power electronics and electric propulsion
- 4.1. Fundamentals of power electronics in naval environments
- 4.2. Marine rectifiers, inverters and variable frequency drives (VFDs)
- 4.3. Electric and diesel-electric propulsion: configurations and topologies
- 4.4. Propulsion motors: synchronous, asynchronous and permanent magnet
- 4.5. Harmonic filtering and power factor correction on board
- 4.6. Azipods, steerable propellers and bow thrusters
- 4.7. Fault diagnosis in power converters and propulsion motors
- 4.8. Drives and rectifiers in service
Automation, control and systems integration (IAS)
- 5.1. Integrated automation and control systems (IAS/AMS)
- 5.2. Programmable logic controllers (PLCs) in marine environments
- 5.3. Industrial communication networks on board: CANopen, Modbus and Ethernet
- 5.4. Marine instrumentation, sensors and transmitters
- 5.5. Alarm, monitoring and data acquisition systems
- 5.6. Dynamic positioning (DP) and integration with the electrical system
- 5.7. Maintenance and calibration of marine measuring instruments
- 5.8. Integration of the alarm system
Electrical safety, high voltage and hazardous areas
- 6.1. Requirements and safety in marine high-voltage (HV) installations
- 6.2. Personal protective equipment and instruments for HV work
- 6.3. Lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures on ships
- 6.4. Arc flash and risk mitigation on board
- 6.5. Hazardous area classification on oil tankers, gas carriers and chemical tankers
- 6.6. Explosion-proof (Ex) equipment and intrinsic safety
- 6.7. Response to electrical emergencies and fire prevention
- 6.8. High-voltage working procedures
Shore power (cold ironing) and marine microgrids
- 7.1. Ship-to-shore connection (shore power / AMP)
- 7.2. The ISO/IEC/IEEE 80005 standard for port connections
- 7.3. Port substations and frequency and voltage conversion
- 7.4. Isolated microgrids on platforms and offshore vessels
- 7.5. Integration of battery energy storage systems (BESS)
- 7.6. Hybrid and fully electric vessels: operational challenges
- 7.7. Safe switching protocols when connecting to shore
- 7.8. Standards for shore connection in port
Maintenance, power quality and fault management
- 8.1. Preventive and predictive electrical maintenance strategies
- 8.2. Analysis of waveform quality and total harmonic distortion (THD)
- 8.3. Locating and resolving faults in complex onboard networks
- 8.4. Dielectric strength, polarization index and insulation resistance (megger) testing
- 8.5. Spare parts management, single-line diagrams and electrical schematics
- 8.6. Sea trials and electrical commissioning protocols
- 8.7. Thermography and network analysis
- 8.8. Digitalization, maritime IoT and digital twins in electrical plants
Duration and format of the Professional Diploma in Marine Electrical Systems
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 Marine Electrical Systems
Career opportunities after the Professional Diploma in Marine Electrical Systems
Questions about the Professional Diploma in Marine Electrical Systems
Across the maritime industry: merchant ships, cruise ships, offshore platforms and support vessels, ferries, workboats, shipyards and ship-repair companies.
It assumes some electrical background and focuses on full shipboard power systems: generator paralleling, switchboard protection and selectivity, power electronics, electric propulsion, integrated automation, high voltage and shore connection.
Yes. A full module deals with marine HV requirements, PPE and instruments, LOTO, arc flash, hazardous areas and Ex equipment, and safe HV working procedures.
Yes. You will study VFDs, diesel-electric topologies, propulsion motor types, azipods and thrusters, as well as battery storage, hybrid and fully electric vessels and shore power.
It is fully online, with materials available at any time, live sessions and personalized follow-up, so you can combine it with your work.
Yes, if you have a related technical qualification or practical electrical experience in the maritime or industrial sector. The admission interview confirms that the program suits your profile.
Through practical exercises such as calculations, diagram interpretation, fault-finding cases, maintenance and commissioning procedures, short tests and a final applied case.
A Navalis Institute professional diploma and the technical work produced during the program. It does not replace the official certificates of competency issued by maritime authorities.
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Admission process
No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enroll in the same session.
- Profile: aimed at electrical and electronic engineers, marine maintenance technicians, engineer officers and marine electricians, naval engineering students and shipyard or ship-repair staff; a degree or technical qualification in electrical, electronic or naval engineering, or professional experience in the maritime or industrial sector with electrical knowledge, is recommended, together with basic knowledge of electricity, electronics, control or automation.
- 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 and microphone for live sessions.
- 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.