Master’s in Alternative Fuels: LNG, Methanol and Ammonia
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in alternative marine fuels, with 12 modules covering maritime decarbonisation, LNG, methanol and ammonia as fuels, well-to-wake life cycle assessment, ship design, bunkering infrastructure, safety, regulation and fuel economics (IMO IGF Code, FuelEU Maritime, MARPOL Annex VI), with an assigned technical tutor.
Master’s in Alternative Fuels: LNG, Methanol and Ammonia — studying from Australia
Australia's energy sector is undergoing major transition, with significant growth in renewable generation, grid-scale storage and transmission upgrades. The National Electricity Market and the Wholesale Electricity Market in Western Australia are key frameworks shaping investment and operations. Engineers work on network planning, power system analysis, asset management and integration of distributed energy resources. Employers include network operators, generators, retailers, the Australian Energy Market Operator and engineering consultancies.
Fees for Australia: A$11,000 (AUD), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Australia
Typical roles
Questions from Australia
Which Australian bodies and regulators cover energy and networks engineering?
Engineers Australia is the main professional body, and the Australian Energy Regulator and the Australian Energy Market Operator oversee the national electricity market. State network regulators also apply. SEIUM's private qualifications are not accredited by these bodies, so recognition is decided by employers or the regulator.
What energy and network careers in Australia could this training support?
Australia has electricity network operators, renewable energy developers, grid planners and utilities that employ engineers in these fields. Employers usually prioritise accredited qualifications, licensing and project experience. A SEIUM qualification may add to your profile, but its value depends on each employer.
Is the course workable with a job, and does employer funding exist?
Yes, the programmes are online and taught in English, so you can study from Australia without a student visa. Specialist courses are 300 hours, diplomas 800 and master's 1,900, with an assigned technical tutor and final project. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship may be possible, though it is arranged case by case.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Understand the regulatory framework for maritime decarbonisation.
Analyse LNG, methanol and ammonia as fuels.
Assess fuels through life cycle assessment.
Design alternative fuel systems on board.
Plan bunkering infrastructure.
Manage the safety risks of new fuels.
Assess the economic viability of alternatives.
Who it's for
- Naval engineers working on alternative fuels
- Maritime decarbonisation consultants
- Technical fleet superintendents
- Maritime safety engineers
- Regulatory compliance analysts
- Bunkering project managers
- Engineering or science graduates looking to join the shipping industry
What you'll work with
- IMO IGF Code (ships using gases or other low-flashpoint fuels)
- Regulation (EU) 2023/1805 (FuelEU Maritime)
- MARPOL Annex VI (air pollution and energy efficiency of ships)
- Directive (EU) 2023/959 (EU ETS extension to shipping)
- MSC.1/Circ.1621 (interim guidelines for methanol/ethanol fuel)
- ISO 20519 (LNG bunkering specification)
- IGC Code (ships carrying liquefied gases in bulk)
- Resolution MEPC.376(80) (LCA guidelines for marine fuels)
- DNV Phast
- MATLAB
- Excel with TCO models
- NAPA
- Aspen HYSYS
12 modules
1.1Emissions from maritime transport1.2The 2023 IMO Strategy1.3EEXI and CII indices1.4Inclusion of the sector in the EU ETS1.5FuelEU Maritime Regulation1.6Greenhouse gas intensity1.7Technological fuel options1.8Shipping company roadmaps1.9Fuel availability challenges1.10Case study: fleet strategy of a shipping company
2.1Properties of LNG2.2Dual-fuel engines2.3Two-stroke and four-stroke engines2.4Unburnt methane emissions (methane slip)2.5Type C and membrane tanks2.6Fuel gas systems2.7LNG bunkering2.8Bio-LNG and e-LNG2.9IGF Code regulations2.10Lab: LNG emissions balance
3.1Properties of methanol3.2Grey methanol, bio-methanol and e-methanol3.3Methanol engines3.4Storage systems3.5Fuel supply systems3.6Fire safety3.7Toxicity and handling3.8Methanol bunkering3.9IMO interim guidelines3.10Practical exercise: sizing methanol tanks
4.1Properties of ammonia4.2Green and blue ammonia4.3Ammonia combustion4.4Ammonia engines under development4.5N2O and NOx emissions4.6Refrigerated and pressurised storage4.7Toxicity and risks to the crew4.8Ammonia bunkering4.9IMO guidelines4.10Case study: conceptual design of an ammonia-fuelled ship
5.1Advanced marine biofuels5.2Hydrogen on ships5.3Marine fuel cells5.4Batteries and electric propulsion5.5Wind-assisted propulsion5.6Marine nuclear power5.7Onboard carbon capture5.8Compatible drop-in fuels5.9Comparison of alternatives5.10Lab: fuel comparison by TCO
6.1Well-to-wake approach6.2IMO LCA guidelines6.3FuelEU emission factors6.4Upstream emissions6.5Methane leakage6.6Fuel certification6.7Biofuel sustainability6.8Renewable fuels of non-biological origin6.9Life cycle comparison6.10Practical exercise: GHG intensity calculation under FuelEU
7.1Integration of tanks into the ship7.2Machinery spaces7.3Ventilation and gas detection7.4Hazardous areas on board7.5Inerting systems7.6Conversion of existing ships7.7Readiness for future fuels7.8Impact on cargo capacity7.9Classification society approval7.10Lab: general arrangement of a methanol-fuelled ship
8.1Alternative fuel terminals8.2Ship-to-ship bunkering8.3Truck-to-ship bunkering8.4Terminal-to-ship bunkering8.5Supply procedures8.6Simultaneous operations8.7Safety zones8.8Reference ports8.9Port supply planning8.10Case study: methanol bunkering plan for a port
9.1The IGF Code and its requirements9.2Alternative design risk analysis9.3Marine HAZID and HAZOP9.4Fire protection9.5Personal protective equipment9.6STCW crew training9.7Emergency response9.8Incident investigation9.9Safety culture9.10Workshop: HAZID of an ammonia system
10.1MARPOL Annex VI10.2IMO GHG Strategy10.3IMO Net-Zero Framework10.4Maritime EU ETS10.5FuelEU Maritime obligations10.6Monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV)10.7Sanctions and penalties10.8Pooling mechanisms10.9Verification and auditing10.10Practical exercise: calculating the EU ETS obligations of a ship
11.1Fuel prices11.2Ship investment costs11.3Ship operating costs11.4Total cost of ownership11.5Impact of the carbon price11.6Supply contracts11.7Green ship finance11.8Poseidon Principles11.9Risk analysis11.10Case study: fuel decision for a newbuild
12.1Selection of the ship or fleet12.2Analysis of regulatory requirements12.3Fuel assessment12.4Life cycle assessment12.5Design of the technical solution12.6Safety analysis12.7Economic evaluation of alternatives12.8Recommendations for the fleet12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so it fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is DNV Phast, MATLAB, Excel with TCO models, NAPA and Aspen HYSYS, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for alternative design risk analysis, GHG intensity calculation and techno-economic comparison of fuels. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: IMO IGF Code, Regulation (EU) 2023/1805 (FuelEU Maritime), MARPOL Annex VI, Directive (EU) 2023/959 (EU ETS), MSC.1/Circ.1621 (methanol), ISO 20519, IGC Code, Resolution MEPC.376(80) on LCA.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- A university degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
- An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with DNV Phast, MATLAB, Excel with TCO models, NAPA and Aspen HYSYS, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the Master's Thesis. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
A degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), a computer able to run the software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
Related programmes
Master’s in Cybersecurity Engineering in Energy Systems
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in cybersecurity engineering for energy systems: 12 modules covering industrial control architectures, protocols and their vulnerabilities, regulation and standards, OT…
Master’s in Energy Communities and Collective Self-Consumption
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in energy communities and collective self-consumption, 12 modules covering the legal framework, collective self-consumption under Royal Decree 244/2019, PV generation,…
Master’s in Utility-Scale Photovoltaic Plant Engineering: Engineering and O&M
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in utility-scale photovoltaic plant engineering and O&M, structured in 12 modules covering yield estimation, modules and trackers, electrical and civil…
More in Energy and Networks
All Energy and Networks programmes → · How to apply · Fees & financing · Scholarships