Short course300 h · Online · 5 modules

Route and Voyage Planning Course

This course teaches you how to plan routes and voyages that are safe, efficient and realistic. You will learn the methods and tools of route planning, how to use nautical charts and account for currents, tides, wind and weather, how coastal and ocean passages differ, how air and land routes are planned, and how to assess risks, prepare contingencies, control costs and review each voyage once it is completed.

Duration300 h
ModeOnline
Start1 December
Modules5
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.

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About the program

What is the Route and Voyage Planning Course?

This short course prepares you to plan routes for maritime passages and to understand how planning works in other transport modes. You will study the key concepts and methods of route planning, the software and applications used, factors such as weather, terrain, traffic and access restrictions, multimodal planning, the basics of marine navigation, chart interpretation and symbols, currents, tides and winds, coastal and ocean passages, exclusion zones and protected areas, air routes and aeronautical charts, land routes, GPS and fleet routing, risk identification and contingency planning.

What sets this course apart: a structured method that applies to any voyage, from planning to post-voyage review; a strong maritime core with nautical charts, tidal streams and weather routing; a comparative view of air and land planning that helps those working in multimodal logistics; and a final module dedicated to risk, contingency routes, cost analysis and lessons learned.

Program typeShort course
ModeOnline
Duration300 hours
Modules5
Start1 December

Program highlights

  • Planning method: objectives, route types, alternatives and influencing factors.
  • Maritime routes: nautical charts, tides, currents, wind and weather.
  • Coastal and ocean passages: references, exclusion zones and emergency routes.
  • Air and land routes: airspace, aeronautical charts, GPS and fleet routing.
  • Risk management: contingency plans, alternative routes and cost analysis.
  • Post-voyage review: execution, times, costs and lessons learned.
Syllabus

Syllabus of the Route and Voyage Planning Course

5 modules. Select a module to see its content.

Module 1

Fundamentals of route and voyage planning

  • 1.1. Key concepts in route planning: objectives, route types and factors to consider
  • 1.2. Route planning methods: direct routes, optimization by time or distance and alternative routes
  • 1.3. Tools and technology used in route planning: software and applications for voyage planning
  • 1.4. Factors influencing route planning: weather, terrain, traffic and access restrictions
  • 1.5. Planning for different transport modes: maritime, land, air and multimodal
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 2

Maritime route planning

  • 2.1. Introduction to marine navigation: basic principles and types of maritime routes
  • 2.2. Use of nautical charts: chart interpretation, symbols and their use in route planning
  • 2.3. Factors affecting marine navigation: currents, tides, winds and weather conditions
  • 2.4. Planning coastal and ocean passages: differences, considerations and reference points
  • 2.5. Safety in maritime route planning: exclusion zones, protected areas and emergency routes
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 3

Air route planning

  • 3.1. Basic principles of aviation and air route planning
  • 3.2. Factors in air route planning: air traffic control, airspace and restrictions
  • 3.3. Use of aeronautical charts: interpretation of routes, flight paths, control zones and navigation points
  • 3.4. Short-haul and long-haul route planning: differences and flight strategies
  • 3.5. Meteorological considerations in aviation: winds, turbulence, areas of bad weather and their impact on the route
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 4

Land route planning

  • 4.1. Land route planning methods: fastest, shortest or most efficient routes
  • 4.2. Factors affecting land routes: traffic conditions, road infrastructure, tolls and weight restrictions
  • 4.3. Use of GPS and digital maps for land journey planning
  • 4.4. Route optimization for fleets: time management, fuel efficiency and planning of stops
  • 4.5. Route planning for special vehicles: restrictions for lorries, heavy machinery and cargo vehicles
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 5

Risk management and route evaluation

  • 5.1. Identification of risks in route planning: meteorological, geographical, traffic and political risks
  • 5.2. Risk analysis and evaluation of alternative routes: probability analysis and decision-making in the face of the unexpected
  • 5.3. Contingency planning: emergency routes, diversions and alternatives for adverse situations
  • 5.4. Cost and efficiency optimization of routes: analysis of operating costs and search for more profitable routes
  • 5.5. Post-voyage evaluation: analysis of route execution, times, costs and problems encountered
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Plan your pace

Duration and format of the Route and Voyage Planning Course

It is 300 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
6
months to finish
25 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.

Dra. Marina AlcoverDr. Marina AlcoverAcademic Director and Head of Quality Assurance
Ing. Diego CifuentesEng. Diego CifuentesSenior Lecturer in Naval Welding and Non-Destructive Testing; Head of QA/QC for Welded Joints
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)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 FerrerDr. Pau FerrerSenior Lecturer in Naval Architecture and Simulation; Director of the Hydrodynamics and CFD Laboratory
Dra. Nuria LlobregatDr. Nuria LlobregatSenior Lecturer in Marine Meteorology, SAR and Operational Safety; Navigation Risk Management Coordinator
Ing. Javier BañulsEng. Javier BañulsSenior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, Automation and ETO Engineering; Electronic Integration and Engine Alarms Coordinator
Ing. Sofía MarquinaEng. Sofía MarquinaSenior Lecturer in Materials, Composites and Corrosion Protection; Coordinator of the Advanced Paints and Coatings Line
Ing. Tomás RieraEng. Tomás RieraSenior Lecturer in Propulsion, Alternative Energy and Hybrid Systems; Energy Performance and Vibration Coordinator
Objectives

Objectives of the Route and Voyage Planning Course

01Improve delivery efficiency and reduce operating costs through route optimization, fuel consumption management and planned maintenance of the vessel.
02Ensure punctual arrival and customer satisfaction by planning routes and speeds that account for weather and operational factors.
03Apply routing strategies that reduce distance traveled and time in transit, using planning software with real-time traffic data, vehicle restrictions and delivery windows.
04Adapt routes to the environment and the needs of each voyage, considering sea state, wind, currents and forecasts and adjusting speed and course.
05Select the most efficient routes using navigation systems such as AIS and ECDIS together with traffic data and weather forecasts.
06Anticipate and mitigate voyage risks through thorough pre-departure checks, assessment of conditions and the planning of safe routes.
Careers

Career opportunities after the Route and Voyage Planning Course

01Transport plannerroute optimization for logistics and freight companies.
02Fleet managerplanning and tracking routes for commercial vehicles and vessels while controlling costs and compliance.
03Mobility consultantadvice on improving the efficiency and sustainability of transport systems.
04Navigation systems specialistsupport for software and hardware used in route planning.
05Transport data analystanalysis of mobility patterns to improve route and network planning.
06Voyage and itinerary designerplanning of routes and logistics for tourism, events and charter operations.
Frequently asked questions

Questions about the Route and Voyage Planning Course

To make each voyage as safe and efficient as possible, reducing cost and time while keeping risks under control.

Because many operations are multimodal. Comparing how each mode plans its routes helps you coordinate maritime legs with the land and air links around them.

Yes. The maritime module covers chart interpretation and symbols, together with currents, tides, winds and weather, for coastal and ocean passages.

No. Navalis teaches the subject of route and voyage planning; any license to command or navigate a vessel is issued by the competent maritime authority under its own requirements.

You identify risks on a route, evaluate alternatives, prepare a contingency plan, compare costs and carry out a post-voyage review of execution and problems encountered.

Fully online, through a virtual campus available 24/7, with live sessions that are recorded and tutorials with the teaching staff.

The course comprises 300 hours of study across 5 modules of about 60 hours each and closes with a module on risk management and route evaluation. You can progress at your own pace within the schedule set when you enroll.

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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 mariners and merchant navy officers who want to improve the safety and efficiency of coastal and ocean passage planning, bridge officers and masters, nautical and maritime transport students, shipping companies and fleet operators that want to standardize procedures, and recreational sailors who plan longer passages; training in geography, tourism, logistics or transport, or experience in route and voyage planning, 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 office software; access to chart viewers and route planning applications is recommended.
  • Admission: online application, review of your profile and a short interview with the academic team.
  1. 01
    Application
    Your details, background and documents.
  2. 02
    Instant review
    We check that everything is complete and in order.
  3. 03
    Enrollment
    Choose full payment or instalments and reserve your place.
Start my applicationFrom $164 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.

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