Master’s in Engineering for SOLAS/MARPOL, IGF/IGC, Polar Code; DNV/ABS/LR.
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in SOLAS/MARPOL, IGF/IGC, Polar Code and DNV/ABS/LR engineering, structured in 12 modules covering SOLAS and MARPOL in depth, the IGF, IGC and Polar Codes, DNV, ABS and Lloyd's Register rules, alternative fuels and decarbonisation, design and plan approval, construction and testing, and operation and continued compliance, with an assigned technical tutor.
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
Apply the SOLAS chapters to ship design and operation.
Comply with the MARPOL annexes.
Design systems in accordance with the IGF and IGC Codes.
Assess Polar Code requirements.
Compare DNV, ABS and Lloyd's Register rules.
Plan decarbonisation with alternative fuels.
Manage ship approval, construction and testing.
Who it's for
- Naval classification engineers
- New-building superintendents
- Alternative fuels specialists
- Gas carrier inspectors
- MARPOL compliance consultants
- Polar ship engineers
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter the naval sector
What you'll work with
- SOLAS Convention (safety of life at sea)
- MARPOL Convention (prevention of pollution from ships)
- IGF Code (ships using gases or other low-flashpoint fuels)
- IGC Code (ships carrying liquefied gases in bulk)
- Polar Code (ships operating in polar waters)
- Regulation (EU) 2023/1805 (FuelEU Maritime) (greenhouse gas intensity of energy used on board)
- IACS UR I (polar class requirements)
- FSS Code (fire safety systems)
- DNV Nauticus Machinery
- NAPA
- ANSYS
- Maxsurf
- DNV Phast
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1Structure of the SOLAS Convention1.2Chapter II-1: construction and subdivision1.3Chapter II-2: fire prevention1.4Chapter III: life-saving1.5Chapter IV: radiocommunications1.6Chapter V: safety of navigation1.7Chapters VI and VII: cargoes1.8Chapter XI: special measures1.9Amendments and entry into force1.10Case study: applying SOLAS to a new ship
2.1Annex I: oil2.2Annex II: noxious liquid substances2.3Annex III: substances in packaged form2.4Annex IV: sewage2.5Annex V: garbage2.6Annex VI: air pollution2.7Emission Control Areas (ECA)2.8Global sulphur cap2.9Records and record books2.10Workshop: garbage management plan
3.1Ships using low-flashpoint fuels3.2Liquefied natural gas as fuel3.3Type C fuel tanks3.4Gas supply systems3.5Ventilation and hazardous areas3.6Gas detection3.7Risk assessment3.8Methanol, ammonia and hydrogen3.9Interim guidelines for new fuels3.10Practical exercise: risk assessment of an LNG system
4.1Gas carriers and their classification4.2Types of cargo tank4.3Membrane containment systems4.4Materials for cryogenic service4.5Reliquefaction systems4.6Cargo pressure control4.7Fire protection on gas carriers4.8Loading and unloading operations4.9Crew training4.10Case study: analysis of a containment system
5.1Scope and application5.2Polar ship categories5.3IACS Polar Classes5.4Ice-strengthened structure5.5Machinery at low temperatures5.6Polar life-saving equipment5.7Polar Water Operational Manual5.8POLARIS operational assessment5.9Polar environmental protection5.10Workshop: POLARIS assessment of a route
6.1Structure of the DNV rules6.2DNV class notations6.3Alternative fuel notations6.4Approval tools6.5Verification programmes6.6Cybersecurity services6.7Classification of autonomous ships6.8Remote surveys by video6.9Interaction with shipyards6.10Practical exercise: DNV notations for an LNG-fuelled ship
7.1ABS rules for steel vessels7.2ABS class notations7.3The ABS approach to offshore7.4Lloyd's Register rules7.5LR approval procedures7.6Comparison of notations7.7Equipment approval programmes7.8Advisory services7.9Choosing a classification society7.10Case study: comparing DNV, ABS and LR
8.1IMO GHG strategy8.2EEXI and CII8.3FuelEU Maritime Regulation8.4Maritime emissions trading system8.5Methanol as fuel8.6Ammonia and its risks8.7Hydrogen and fuel cells8.8Onboard carbon capture8.9Readiness for future fuels8.10Workshop: decarbonisation roadmap for a fleet
9.1The plan approval process9.2Documentation required for approval9.3Strength calculations9.4Alternative designs under SOLAS II-2/179.5HAZID and HAZOP risk assessments9.6Classification society comments9.7Management of changes during construction9.8Coordination with the flag9.9Approval timescales9.10Practical exercise: approval of an alternative design
10.1Supervision of construction10.2Control of welding and materials10.3Tank testing10.4Factory acceptance tests (FAT)10.5Harbour acceptance tests (HAT)10.6Sea acceptance trials (SAT)10.7Testing of gas systems10.8Final certification of the ship10.9Delivery of the ship10.10Case study: test programme for an LNG-fuelled ship
11.1Periodic class surveys11.2Port State Control inspections11.3Management of deficiencies11.4Planned maintenance on board11.5Management of change11.6Conversions and refits11.7Data for the classification society11.8ISM Code audits11.9Cybersecurity on board11.10Practical exercise: methanol conversion plan
12.1Selection of ship or conversion12.2Analysis of SOLAS and MARPOL requirements12.3Application of IGF, IGC or the Polar Code12.4Classification strategy12.5Risk assessment12.6Approval and testing plan12.7Operational compliance plan12.8Conclusions and future lines of work12.9Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
How you'll learn
Training is 100% online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so you can combine the programme with your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original conventions, codes and rules and applied exercises. The working software is DNV Nauticus Machinery, NAPA, ANSYS, Maxsurf and DNV Phast, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: harbour and sea trials of gas systems, HAZID and HAZOP risk assessments and POLARIS operational assessments. Assessment is continuous for each module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: SOLAS Convention, MARPOL Convention, IGF Code, IGC Code, Polar Code, Regulation (EU) 2023/1805 (FuelEU Maritime), IACS UR I, FSS Code.
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's 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 Nauticus Machinery, NAPA, ANSYS, Maxsurf and DNV Phast, 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 university degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent professional experience, plus 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.
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