Postgraduate Diploma in Towing Tank/Sea Trials and Numerical-Experimental Correlation
Online 800-hour Postgraduate Diploma in Towing Tank/Sea Trials and Numerical-Experimental Correlation. 8 modules covering the ITTC 1978 Power Prediction Method, ITTC 7.5-02-01-01 (uncertainty analysis in tests) and STAR-CCM+. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Postgraduate Diploma in Towing Tank/Sea Trials and Numerical-Experimental Correlation — 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: €895 (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
Describe the capabilities of hydrodynamic towing tanks.
Carry out resistance and self-propulsion tests and their ITTC extrapolation.
Plan seakeeping and manoeuvring trials.
Analyse sea trials in accordance with ISO 15016.
Configure CFD simulations with mesh verification.
Quantify numerical-experimental correlation with uncertainties.
Monitor in-service performance in accordance with ISO 19030.
Who it's for
- Towing tank engineer wishing to specialise in Towing Tank/Sea Trials and Numerical-Experimental Correlation.
- Numerical hydrodynamics engineer wishing to specialise in Towing Tank/Sea Trials and Numerical-Experimental Correlation.
- Fleet energy efficiency engineer wishing to specialise in Towing Tank/Sea Trials and Numerical-Experimental Correlation.
- Sea trials engineer wishing to specialise in Towing Tank/Sea Trials and Numerical-Experimental Correlation.
- Ship performance analyst wishing to specialise in Towing Tank/Sea Trials and Numerical-Experimental Correlation.
- Naval hydrodynamics researcher wishing to specialise in Towing Tank/Sea Trials and Numerical-Experimental Correlation.
- Graduates in engineering or science seeking to enter hydrodynamic towing tanks.
What you'll work with
- ITTC 1978 Method of power prediction
- ITTC 7.5-02-01-01 (uncertainty analysis in tests)
- ISO 15016 (speed trial analysis)
- ISO 19030 (measurement of hull and propeller performance)
- ASME V&V 20 (verification and validation in CFD)
- MARPOL Annex VI (EEDI/EEXI)
- ISO 19019 (sea trials)
8 modules · 800 h
1.1Facility types: towing tank, basin and tunnel1.2Carriages, dynamometers and accuracy1.3Wave generators1.4Facilities in Spain: CEHIPAR and CEHINAV1.5ITTC network and recommended procedures1.6Model construction and tolerances1.7Similarity laws in testing1.8Managing a test campaign1.9Test quality (ISO 9001 and ITTC)1.10Case study: planning a towing tank campaign
2.1Resistance test and its procedure2.2Form factor and Prohaska method2.3ITTC 1978 extrapolation2.4Self-propulsion test2.5Wake coefficients and thrust deduction2.6Relative rotative efficiency2.7Measurement of nominal wake2.8Power prediction2.9Test uncertainty (ITTC 7.5-02-01-01)2.10Laboratory: power prediction from test data
3.1Regular wave tests: RAO3.2Irregular wave tests3.3Added resistance in waves3.4Free-running manoeuvring tests3.5Captive tests: PMM and rotating arm3.6Manoeuvring hydrodynamic coefficients3.7Parametric stability tests3.8Shallow water tests3.9Moored model tests3.10Practice: obtaining heave and pitch RAOs
4.1Objectives of sea trials4.2ISO 15016 standard and ITTC procedure4.3Speed and power trials4.4Corrections for wind, waves and current4.5Manoeuvring trials (Resolution MSC.137(76))4.6Stopping and crash-stop trials4.7Measurement of vibration and noise4.8Instrumentation and torque measurement4.9Planning and acceptable conditions4.10Workshop: correction of speed trials according to ISO 15016
5.1Resistance CFD: RANS5.2Self-propulsion simulation5.3Simulation of behaviour in waves5.4Manoeuvring simulation5.5Potential versus viscous methods5.6Meshing and convergence studies5.7Verification and validation (ASME V&V 20)5.8Full-scale simulation5.9Simulation costs and times5.10Laboratory: CFD mesh convergence study
6.1Comparison of CFD and towing tank results6.2Comparison errors and metrics6.3Correlation factors CA and ΔCF6.4Scale effects on the wake6.5Ship-model correlation with sea trials6.6Correlation databases6.7Combined uncertainty6.8Sources of discrepancy6.9Improving prediction methods6.10Case study: correlation between towing tank, CFD and sea trials
7.1In-service performance data7.2ISO 19030 standard7.3Comparison with design predictions7.4Performance degradation due to fouling7.5Measurement of motions in service7.6Model validation with real data7.7Hydrodynamic digital twin7.8Feedback to design7.9Lessons learned7.10Practice: performance analysis using service data
8.1Vessel definition8.2Towing tank test plan8.3Numerical simulation8.4Power prediction8.5Sea trials plan8.6Correlation analysis8.7Uncertainty analysis8.8Design recommendations8.9Report and presentation8.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, making it possible to combine study with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is STAR-CCM+, ReFRESCO, OpenFOAM, MATLAB, Python (pandas), in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real towing tank and self-propulsion procedures, sea speed trials, and in-service monitoring data analysis. Assessment is continuous by module plus the final integrating project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Describe the capabilities of hydrodynamic towing tanks.
Carry out resistance and self-propulsion tests and their ITTC extrapolation.
Plan seakeeping and manoeuvring trials.
Analyse sea trials in accordance with ISO 15016.
Configure CFD simulations with mesh verification.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. A university degree is not required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient Spanish to follow technical standards documentation.
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 comprises 800 total hours over 6 to 8 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.
You will work with STAR-CCM+, ReFRESCO, OpenFOAM, MATLAB, Python (pandas). 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 integrating project. It is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a Course or Postgraduate Diploma in the same area are recognised towards the higher-level programme. Check the recognition policy when enrolling.
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