Urban Maritime Mobility and Electric Ferries Course
This course prepares you to plan and assess urban water transport services and their transition to electric and hybrid ferries. You will study the role of ferries and water shuttles in the mobility of coastal, river and estuary cities, electric propulsion and battery technologies, port charging infrastructure, operations and safety, and the economic and environmental criteria for designing attractive, sustainable services.
Prior knowledge check
These are the skills this programme 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 programme is designed precisely for that.
What is the Urban Maritime Mobility and Electric Ferries Course?
This short course looks at the boat as part of the urban transport network and at the shift towards electric propulsion. You will study ferries and water shuttles in coastal, river and estuary cities, their integration with public transport, terminals and user demand; electric and hybrid propulsion, marine batteries, onboard energy management and efficient hulls; quayside and automated charging, grid connection and shore-side storage; battery safety, classification society requirements and maintenance; and route design, total cost of ownership, emissions and operating models.
What sets this course apart: a sector in transformation, where electrification is advancing quickly on short-distance services; a mobility view that treats the vessel as part of the urban transport network; a solid technological base in batteries, electric propulsion and charging systems; an economic focus on costs, funding and operating models; and a practical case in which you carry out a feasibility study for an electric ferry line.
Programme highlights
- Sector in transformation: electrification is advancing fast on short-distance services.
- Mobility view: the vessel integrated into the urban transport network.
- Technology base: batteries, electric propulsion and charging systems.
- Economic focus: costs, funding and operating models.
- Safety: battery risks on board and classification society requirements.
- Practical case: feasibility study for an electric ferry line.
Syllabus of the Urban Maritime Mobility and Electric Ferries Course
5 modules. Select a module to see its content.
Urban water transport
- 1.1. Urban ferries and water shuttles
- 1.2. Coastal, river and estuary cities
- 1.3. Integration with the transport network
- 1.4. Terminals and accessibility
- 1.5. Demand and user profile
Electric and hybrid ferry technology
- 2.1. Electric and hybrid propulsion
- 2.2. Marine battery technologies
- 2.3. Onboard energy management
- 2.4. Efficient hull design
- 2.5. Alternatives: hydrogen and other emerging fuels
Charging and port infrastructure
- 3.1. Quayside charging systems
- 3.2. Automated charging and fast connection
- 3.3. Connection to the power grid
- 3.4. Shore-side energy storage
- 3.5. Standards for ship-to-shore electrical connection
Operations, safety and maintenance
- 4.1. Operational planning
- 4.2. Battery safety on board
- 4.3. Classification society requirements
- 4.4. Maintenance and service life
- 4.5. Crew training
Service planning and viability
- 5.1. Route and frequency design
- 5.2. Total cost of ownership
- 5.3. Emissions reduction
- 5.4. Funding and operating models
- 5.5. Practical case: feasibility study for an electric ferry line
Duration and format of the Urban Maritime Mobility and Electric Ferries Course
It is 300 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 instalment plan.
Academic leadership and faculty
The Navalis teaching team: working professionals who teach and supervise the programmes.
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 Urban Maritime Mobility and Electric Ferries Course
Career opportunities after the Urban Maritime Mobility and Electric Ferries Course
Questions about the Urban Maritime Mobility and Electric Ferries Course
No. It explains the technology in an applied way, but focuses on planning and the viability of services.
No. It does not replace nautical qualifications or the official training required for crewing or ship design; Navalis teaches the subject, and any official certificate is issued by the competent authority.
Yes. Hydrogen and other fuels are presented as emerging alternatives, along with their current limitations.
Yes. Much of the content applies to river and lake transport.
A preliminary feasibility study for an electric ferry line, covering route, fleet, charging, costs and emissions.
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 ends with an applied practical case. You can progress at your own pace within the schedule set when you enrol.
More programmes in Ports and marinas
Admission process
No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enrol in the same session.
- Profile: aimed at urban mobility and transport technicians, ferry operator and shipping company staff, port authority technicians, naval and electrical engineers and transport consultants; studies in engineering, nautical studies, transport or urban planning, or professional experience in mobility or maritime transport, are 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.
- 03EnrolmentChoose 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 enrol
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.