Professional diploma800 h · Online · 8 modules
Professional Diploma in Marine Diesel and Electric Engines
This professional diploma gives you complete and practical knowledge of the operation, maintenance and repair of propulsion systems. You will work on diesel engines, electric drives and hybrid configurations, with fault finding and maintenance planning as a constant thread.
Duration800 h
ModeOnline
Start1 December
Modules8
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About the programme
What is the Professional Diploma in Marine Diesel and Electric Engines?
This professional diploma offers comprehensive, practical training in the operation, maintenance and repair of modern marine propulsion systems. It covers thermodynamics, combustion and lubrication, together with emerging technologies in electric motors and hybrid systems, so that you can optimise vessel performance and efficiency and prepare for the challenges of today's maritime sector.
What makes the programme different: a practical approach with real cases, fault simulation and performance analysis; innovative technologies, including electric, hybrid and alternative propulsion; and predictive maintenance strategies that extend the service life of equipment.
Programme typeProfessional diploma
ModeOnline
Duration800 hours
Modules8
Start1 December
Programme highlights
- Marine propulsion: operation, maintenance and diagnosis of diesel engines and essential electrical systems.
- Leading-edge technology: innovations in energy efficiency, emissions control and hybrid systems.
- Practical cases and simulations: real exercises and advanced simulations.
- A professional diploma that supports your career in vessel engineering and operation.
- Specialised knowledge of marine engines for your professional future.
Syllabus
Syllabus of the Professional Diploma in Marine Diesel and Electric Engines
8 modules. Select a module to see its content.
Module 1
Thermodynamics, Power Cycles and Architecture of Marine Diesel Engines
- 1.1. Fundamental principles of applied thermodynamics and theoretical/real cycles (Diesel, Dual and Miller) in marine propulsion
- 1.2. Architecture and classification of marine engines: main propulsion vs. auxiliaries, 2-stroke (uniflow) and 4-stroke (medium-speed and slow-speed) engines
- 1.3. Engine kinematics: piston assemblies, connecting rods, crankshafts, main bearings and cooled cylinder liners
- 1.4. Gas dynamics and turbocharging: variable geometry turbochargers (VGT), two-stage turbochargers, charge air coolers (intercoolers) and scavenging
- 1.5. High-pressure electronic fuel injection: marine Common Rail systems, piezoelectric injectors and high-pressure pumps
- 1.6. Marine fuel management: Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO), Marine Gas Oil (MGO), VLSFO/ULSFO blends, purification, centrifuging and viscometry
- 1.7. Combustion monitoring: pressure–crank angle diagrams (P-θ), maximum pressure measurement (Pmax) and cylinder balancing
- 1.8. Main components of the diesel engine
At this stage
100 hestimated workload8 wkweeks at your paceModule 2
Marine Emissions, Decarbonisation and Alternative Fuels
- 2.1. International environmental regulatory framework: MARPOL Annex VI (IMO), emission control areas (ECA/SECA) and EEXI/CII regulations
- 2.2. NOx emission reduction technologies: Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) and marine Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR)
- 2.3. SOx and particulate matter reduction technologies: exhaust gas cleaning systems (open-loop, closed-loop and hybrid scrubbers)
- 2.4. Marine dual-fuel engines: Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) combustion and integrated Otto/Diesel cycle
- 2.5. Future decarbonisation pathways: adapting engines to burn green methanol, ammonia (NH3) and hydrogen
- 2.6. Operational energy efficiency: Waste Heat Recovery Systems (WHRS) and integrated steam/gas turbines
- 2.7. On-board energy audits, Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plans (SEEMP) and onboard carbon capture (OCCS)
- 2.8. Exhaust gas treatment systems
At this stage
100 hestimated workload8 wkweeks at your paceModule 3
Fundamentals of Marine Electric Propulsion and Electrical Machines
- 3.1. Architecture of integrated full electric propulsion (IFEP) systems: operational advantages, redundancy and part-load efficiency
- 3.2. Marine electrical generators: synchronous alternators, excitation systems, automatic voltage regulation (AVR) and paralleling
- 3.3. Electric propulsion motors: induction (asynchronous) motors, permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMM) and superconducting motors
- 3.4. Power quality in marine networks: harmonics, active/passive filters, power factor and frequency variations
- 3.5. Frequency converters and variable frequency drives (VFD): PWM, VSI and CSI topologies and multilevel converters for medium voltage
- 3.6. Marine isolation and phase-shifting transformers for harmonic mitigation in the main grid
- 3.7. Classification society rules (DNV, ABS, Lloyd's Register) for high-voltage electrical plants on board (>1 kV)
- 3.8. Synchronous and asynchronous motors
At this stage
100 hestimated workload8 wkweeks at your paceModule 4
Hybridisation, Energy Storage and Shore Connection Systems (Cold Ironing)
- 4.1. Hybrid ship configurations: series, parallel and combined diesel-electric architectures (PTI/PTO/PTH)
- 4.2. Electrical Energy Storage Systems (ESS): marinised lithium-ion batteries (LFP, NMC), supercapacitors and flywheels
- 4.3. On-board battery management and safety: Battery Management Systems (BMS), thermal runaway containment and gas detection
- 4.4. Integration of fuel cells (PEMFC / SOFC) into the ship's electrical grid for zero-emission operation in port
- 4.5. Ship-to-shore electrical connection (Cold Ironing / High Voltage Shore Connection - HVSC): IEC/IEEE 80005 standards, synchronisation and seamless transfer
- 4.6. On-board Direct Current Distribution Systems (DC Grid): reduction of weight and space and optimisation of diesel engine operating point
- 4.7. Peak Shaving, Spinning Reserve and power support strategies using ESS
- 4.8. Marine battery management
At this stage
100 hestimated workload8 wkweeks at your paceModule 5
Mechanical Transmission, Advanced Propulsors and Hydrodynamic Control
- 5.1. Marine reduction gearboxes, hydraulic clutches, flexible couplings and shaft lines: alignment and torsional vibration analysis
- 5.2. Plummer blocks and thrust bearings: lubrication, stern tube seals and temperature monitoring
- 5.3. Fixed Pitch Propellers (FPP) vs. Controllable Pitch Propellers (CPP): pitch-change hydraulics and optimised operating curves
- 5.4. Steerable propulsion systems: submerged electric pods (Azipod), diesel-mechanical azimuth thrusters and waterjets
- 5.5. Transverse thrusters (bow/stern thrusters) and cycloidal propellers (Voith Schneider) for advanced manoeuvrability
- 5.6. Propeller-hull-engine interaction: cavitation, erosion, underwater radiated noise (URN) and thrust-enhancing devices (Kort nozzles, Becker rudders)
- 5.7. Shaft line maintenance and repair in dry dock: measurement of shaft droop, clearances and dynamic balancing of propellers
- 5.8. Reduction gears and clutches
At this stage
100 hestimated workload8 wkweeks at your paceModule 6
Automation, Control Networks and Power Management Systems (PMS)
- 6.1. Engine room automation: class notations for periodically unattended machinery spaces (AUT-UMS / E0)
- 6.2. Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems and Human-Machine Interface (HMI) at the engine control console
- 6.3. On-board industrial communication networks: Modbus, Profibus, CANopen and Industrial Ethernet with redundant ring topology
- 6.4. Power Management System (PMS): automatic start/stop of generators, load management and automatic load shedding
- 6.5. Energy Management Systems (EMS) for real-time optimisation of hybrid plants
- 6.6. Redundancy, fault tolerance and failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) testing in dynamic positioning control systems (DP2/DP3)
- 6.7. Marine industrial cybersecurity: protection of OT (Operational Technology) systems in accordance with IMO guidelines and IACS UR E26/E27
- 6.8. Load sharing and synchronisation
At this stage
100 hestimated workload8 wkweeks at your paceModule 7
Predictive Maintenance, Fault Diagnosis and Marine Tribology
- 7.1. Marine tribology: laboratory and on-board lubricating oil analysis (viscosity, TBN, insolubles, water content and wear metals)
- 7.2. Vibration analysis of rotating machinery: accelerometers, FFT spectra, diagnosis of misalignment, unbalance and bearing failure
- 7.3. Infrared thermography and contact ultrasound to detect hot spots in switchboards and thermal insulation leaks
- 7.4. Industrial endoscopy and videoscopy for internal inspection of cylinders, valves, turbochargers and gears without dismantling
- 7.5. Maintenance strategies: Condition-Based Maintenance (CBM) and Reliability-Centred Maintenance (RCM)
- 7.6. Marine digitalisation: Digital Twins and Machine Learning for predicting failures and remaining useful life (RUL)
- 7.7. Spare parts management, on-board inventory and planning of maintenance stoppages in shipyard (dry-docking)
- 7.8. Oil and vibration analysis
At this stage
100 hestimated workload8 wkweeks at your paceModule 8
Industrial Safety, Operational Management and Propulsion Capstone Project
- 8.1. Engine room safety: fire prevention and extinguishing (water mist systems, CO2, Novec 1230) and oil mist detection
- 8.2. Risk management in fuel operations (bunkering): transfer procedures, representative sampling and Hazmat safety
- 8.3. Operation of propulsion plants under international safety codes (ISM Code, STCW III/2 and III/3 for engineer officers)
- 8.4. Life-cycle cost (LCC) analysis and CAPEX and OPEX evaluation for converting diesel ships to electric/hybrid technologies (retrofit)
- 8.5. Management of bilge water, oily water separators (15 ppm) and Oil Discharge Monitoring Equipment (ODME)
- 8.6. Factory acceptance tests (FAT), harbour acceptance tests (HAT) and sea acceptance tests (SAT) for main propulsion plants
- 8.7. Presentation of the capstone project
- 8.8. Capstone project: conceptual and basic engineering for the selection, sizing, consumption/emissions simulation and technical feasibility analysis of the propulsion plant (diesel, hybrid or 100% electric) of a commercial or specialised vessel (tug, ferry, offshore support vessel or cargo ship)
At this stage
100 hestimated workload8 wkweeks at your pacePlan your pace
Duration and format of the Professional Diploma in Marine Diesel and Electric Engines
It is 800 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
15
months to finish
67 weeks
weeks in total
This is the pace at which most students finish. It fits well with the instalment plan.
Faculty
Academic leadership and faculty
The Navalis teaching team: working professionals who teach and supervise the programmes.
Dra. Marina AlcoverAcademic Director and Head of Quality Assurance
Ing. Diego CifuentesSenior Lecturer in Naval Welding and Non-Destructive Testing; Head of QA/QC for Welded Joints
Cap. 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
Dra. Nuria LlobregatSenior Lecturer in Marine Meteorology, SAR and Operational Safety; Navigation Risk Management Coordinator
Ing. Javier BañulsSenior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, Automation and ETO Engineering; Electronic Integration and Engine Alarms Coordinator
Ing. Sofía MarquinaSenior Lecturer in Materials, Composites and Corrosion Protection; Coordinator of the Advanced Paints and Coatings Line
Ing. Tomás RieraSenior Lecturer in Propulsion, Alternative Energy and Hybrid Systems; Energy Performance and Vibration CoordinatorObjectives
Objectives of the Professional Diploma in Marine Diesel and Electric Engines
01Diagnose and repair marine diesel and electric propulsion systems.
02Optimise the performance and efficiency of these engines.
03Manage preventive and corrective maintenance.
04Comply with safety and environmental regulations when operating them.
05Supervise the operation and running of these engines.
06Coordinate and lead marine engineering work teams.
Careers
Career opportunities after the Professional Diploma in Marine Diesel and Electric Engines
Frequently asked questions
Questions about the Professional Diploma in Marine Diesel and Electric Engines
The main difference lies in the energy source: diesel engines burn fuel to generate mechanical energy, while electric motors use electricity to create a magnetic field that drives their movement.
Yes. The pathway includes ECDIS/Radar-ARPA/BRM with port, ocean, fog, heavy weather and SAR scenarios.
Online with live sessions; hybrid option for simulator placements/internships through agreements.
The main difference lies in the energy source: diesel engines burn fuel to generate mechanical energy, while electric motors use electricity to produce movement.
Functional SMCP is recommended. We provide support materials for standard phraseology.
Yes, with a related qualification or experience in maritime/port operations. The admission interview will confirm your fit.
Optional (3–6 months) through Companies & Partnerships and the Alumni Network.
Simulator exercises (rubrics), passage plans, SOPs, checklists, micro-tests and an applied master's thesis.
Related programmes
More programmes in Machinery and electrics
Professional diploma · 800 hProfessional Diploma in Predictive Maintenance SystemsS$1,550 · View programme →Professional diploma · 800 hProfessional Diploma in Marine Diesel EnginesS$1,250 · View programme →Master’s degree · 1,500 hMaster's in Marine Electrical Systems and AutomationS$1,930 · View programme →
Online admission
Admission process
No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enrol in the same session.
Entry requirements
- Academic or professional profile: a higher technician qualification in Industrial Equipment Maintenance, Electromechanics or similar, or demonstrable experience in the maintenance and operation of diesel or electric engines.
- Prior knowledge: basic notions of thermodynamics, electricity, mechanics and control systems.
- Documentation: an up-to-date CV, a copy of your qualification (if applicable), a certificate of work experience (if applicable), ID card or passport and a motivation letter.
- Recommended: knowledge of maritime regulations and occupational safety.
- 01ApplicationYour details, background and documents.
- 02Instant reviewWe check that everything is complete and in order.
- 03EnrolmentChoose full payment or instalments and reserve your place.
Start my applicationFrom S$400 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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