Course in International Regulation for Autonomous Vessels
Online 300-hour course in international regulation for autonomous vessels. 6 modules covering SOLAS 1974, COLREG 1972 and IMO GISIS. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Course in International Regulation for Autonomous Vessels — studying from Malta
Maritime activity is central to Malta's identity, with the Grand Harbour and Freeport at Marsaxlokk handling significant cargo and transhipment. Ship repair, yacht building and marine services form a important part of the sector, supported by a long tradition of shipbuilding and maritime engineering. Offshore and sports nautical activity, including yacht refit and marine leisure, provides further opportunities. Engineers typically work with shipyards, classification societies, port authorities and marine service providers.
Fees for Malta: €797 (Euro), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Malta
Typical roles
Questions from Malta
Which bodies in Malta regulate naval and offshore engineering, and how does SEIUM fit in?
Malta is a major maritime nation, with the Transport Malta authority overseeing maritime affairs and the Malta Maritime Authority regulating shipping and registration. SEIUM Institute's qualifications are private, not official state degrees, and are not accredited by any national body. Recognition for maritime roles is decided by employers or the relevant regulator, so confirm this before enrolling.
Do employers in Malta's maritime and yachting sectors value this type of training?
Malta's maritime cluster, including shipping services, ship management and yacht-related businesses, employs engineers and technical staff. Hiring in these sectors often prioritises practical experience and relevant certifications. Whether a private online qualification helps depends on the employer, so asking prospective employers in Malta is the best way to judge its value.
Can I study this part-time while working offshore or on rotation, and what is the language requirement?
Programmes are 100% online, so you can study from anywhere with internet access, and no student visa is needed to study from home. Teaching is in English, so you need a good working level of technical English. Hours range from 300 to 1,900 depending on the programme. Fees are payable in instalments and employer sponsorship is possible.
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 current state of international regulation of autonomous vessels.
Analyse the impact of autonomy on the main IMO conventions.
Assess civil liability and the applicable insurance coverage.
Learn the procedures for alternative approval and class certification.
Compare national frameworks and testing zones.
Identify regulatory gaps and propose equivalent measures.
Prepare a complete regulatory analysis for an MASS operation.
Who it's for
- Maritime regulatory adviser who wants to specialise in international regulation for autonomous vessels.
- Maritime lawyer who wants to specialise in international regulation for autonomous vessels.
- Maritime safety inspector who wants to specialise in international regulation for autonomous vessels.
- Regulatory compliance manager who wants to specialise in international regulation for autonomous vessels.
- Marine insurance consultant who wants to specialise in international regulation for autonomous vessels.
- Classification society technician who wants to specialise in international regulation for autonomous vessels.
- Graduates in engineering or science seeking to join maritime administrations.
What you'll work with
- SOLAS 1974
- COLREG 1972
- STCW Convention
- IMO MSC.1/Circ.1604
- MSC.1/Circ.1455 on alternative designs
- LLMC 1976 Convention
- Law 14/2014 on Maritime Navigation
- IACS UR E26
6 modules · 300 h
1.1IMO exploratory exercise on MASS1.2Degrees of autonomy and their legal fit1.3Concept of master and remote crew1.4Roadmap for the non-mandatory MASS Code1.5Interim guidelines MSC.1/Circ.16041.6Role of the flag State1.7Coastal State and territorial waters1.8United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea1.9Relationship with national testing regulations1.10Case study: analysis of the IMO exercise
2.1SOLAS and manning requirements2.2STCW Convention and remote operators2.3COLREG and the duty of lookout2.4SAR Convention and assistance at sea2.5MARPOL and environmental liabilities2.6Load Lines Convention2.7ISM Code and the responsible company2.8FAL Convention and communication with ports2.9Gaps and ambiguities identified2.10Workshop: regulatory gap matrix
3.1Liability of the shipowner and operator3.2Liability of the software manufacturer3.3LLMC Convention on limitation3.4Collision and salvage conventions3.5Hull and machinery coverage3.6P&I clubs and autonomous risks3.7Cyber incidents and policy exclusions3.8Evidence and data records3.9Litigation and jurisdiction3.10Case study: collision involving an autonomous vessel
4.1Alternative designs under SOLAS II-2/17 and MSC.1/Circ.14554.2Class guidelines from DNV, BV and Lloyd's Register4.3Risk-based assessment4.4Software and systems verification4.5Cybersecurity under IACS UR E26 and E274.6Certification of the remote control centre4.7Operator training requirements4.8Sea trials and testing zones4.9Experiences in Norway and Finland4.10Practice: alternative approval file
5.1Norway and the Norwegian Maritime Authority5.2United Kingdom and the MASS Code of Practice5.3Japan and the MEGURI 2040 project5.4United States and the Coast Guard5.5European Union and EMSA5.6Spain and the Maritime Navigation Act5.7Authorised testing zones5.8International cooperation between administrations5.9Future regulatory trends5.10Case study: testing permit in national waters
6.1Selection of the vessel and operation6.2Identification of the applicable framework6.3Gap analysis6.4Proposal of equivalent measures6.5Assessment of responsibilities6.6Insurance and risk plan6.7Roadmap for dealings with the administration6.8Regulatory recommendations for the administration6.9Report and presentation6.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded lectures and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine the course with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original regulation and applied exercises. The working software is IMO GISIS, vLex, Microsoft Excel, Atlas.ti, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Assignments are based on real procedures: regulatory gap analysis of an autonomous vessel, simulation of a collision liability case, and preparation of an alternative approval file. Assessment is continuous per module, plus the final integrative project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Understand the current state of international regulation of autonomous vessels.
Analyse the impact of autonomy on the main IMO conventions.
Assess civil liability and the applicable insurance coverage.
Learn the procedures for alternative approval and class certification.
Compare national frameworks and testing zones.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior degree is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient level of Spanish to follow technical regulatory texts.
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 300 hours, spread over 3 to 5 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.
You work with IMO GISIS, vLex, Microsoft Excel, Atlas.ti. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
An own SEIUM diploma upon passing continuous assessment and the integrative project. It is in-house training, not an official Ministry qualification.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area can be credited towards the advanced programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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