The Future of Autonomous Ports Course
Online 300 h course on the future of Autonomous Ports. 6 modules covering the IMO SOLAS Convention, IMO Circular MSC.1/Circ.1604, interim guidelines for MASS trials and AnyLogic. Assigned tutor and enrolment open.
The Future of Autonomous Ports Course — studying from Malta
Malta's civil engineering sector is active, driven by ongoing construction, infrastructure upgrades, coastal works and urban regeneration projects across the islands. Demand for civil engineers is closely linked to public works, land development and the modernisation of transport networks. Smart city initiatives, including digital mapping, traffic management and sustainable urban planning, are increasingly relevant. Engineers typically find employment with contractors, consultancies, government departments and utility providers managing infrastructure in a densely populated environment.
Fees for Malta: €743 (Euro), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Malta
Typical roles
Questions from Malta
Which Maltese bodies regulate civil engineering and related professional practice?
The Chamber of Engineers (KSU) regulates the use of the title 'engineer' in Malta under the Engineering Profession Act. Planning and development matters fall under the Planning Authority, and public works and transport infrastructure involve government agencies including Transport Malta. A SEIUM qualification does not itself grant a regulated title; recognition is decided by employers or the relevant body.
What employers in Malta would value civil, rail or smart city engineering skills?
Malta's construction, infrastructure, consultancy and public sector firms are the main employers, along with transport and utilities bodies. Smart city and digital infrastructure work is growing in some areas. Employers typically look for chartered-level experience and licensing, so a private qualification should be seen as supporting your professional development rather than a substitute for those requirements.
How can I study this while working on site, and what support is there?
The programme is delivered entirely online in English, so you can study from anywhere in Malta without a student visa. Each student has an assigned technical tutor, and the course ends with a final project. Time commitment depends on the programme length, from 300 to 1,900 hours. Ask about instalment payments and employer sponsorship to help manage costs.
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 levels and technologies of port automation.
Evaluate autonomous terminal equipment and its functional safety.
Analyse the status of autonomous ships and their regulation.
Apply data, AI and digital twins to port operations.
Manage the labour and social transition of automation.
Assess the economics of automation projects.
Develop a roadmap towards the autonomous port.
Who it's for
- Port automation engineer who wants to specialise in The Future of Autonomous Ports.
- Port innovation manager who wants to specialise in The Future of Autonomous Ports.
- Smart ports consultant who wants to specialise in The Future of Autonomous Ports.
- Autonomous systems specialist who wants to specialise in The Future of Autonomous Ports.
- Maritime data analyst who wants to specialise in The Future of Autonomous Ports.
- Terminal transformation manager who wants to specialise in The Future of Autonomous Ports.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter port terminals.
What you'll work with
- IMO SOLAS Convention
- IMO Circular MSC.1/Circ.1604, interim guidelines for MASS trials
- Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 on machinery
- ISO 13849-1, safety of machinery: safety-related parts of control systems
- IEC 61508, functional safety
- ISA/IEC 62443, security for industrial automation and control systems
- Regulation (EU) 2024/1689, on Artificial Intelligence
- Directive (EU) 2022/2555, NIS 2
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Evolution towards the autonomous port1.2Levels of automation1.3Automated terminals around the world1.4Decision factors1.5Impact on productivity1.6Labour impact of automation1.7Investment costs1.8Technological and integration risks1.9Port 5.0 vision1.10Case study: comparison of automated terminals
2.1Automated yard cranes2.2Automated guided vehicles and autonomous straddle carriers2.3Remotely operated STS cranes2.4Navigation and positioning systems2.5Autonomous fleet management2.6Functional safety of autonomous equipment2.7Equipment interchange with trucks2.8Maintenance and availability2.9Electrification of equipment2.10Workshop: automated guided vehicle fleet simulation
3.1Autonomous maritime surface vessels3.2IMO levels of autonomy3.3MASS Code under development3.4Remote pilotage and towage3.5Automatic mooring systems3.6Sensor-assisted berthing3.7Remote control centres3.8Ship-to-shore communications3.9Legal liability in autonomous navigation3.10Practice: analysis of an autonomous ship pilot project
4.1Port data platforms4.2Computer vision and recognition4.3AI-driven planning optimisation4.4Port digital twins4.5Just-in-time arrivals4.65G connectivity in terminals4.7Edge computing on port equipment4.8Cyber security of autonomous systems4.9Ethics of AI4.10Laboratory: predictive arrivals model using AIS data
5.1Regulation of automation5.2Collective bargaining and employment5.3Workforce reskilling5.4Social acceptance of automation5.5Concession models5.6Interoperability standards5.7Impact assessment5.8Future scenarios for port employment5.9Institutional roadmap5.10Case study: labour transition in a terminal
6.1Port selection6.2Maturity assessment6.3Vision and objectives6.4Port technology architecture6.5Equipment automation plan6.6Labour transition plan6.7Economic and risk analysis6.8Roadmap towards autonomy6.9Report and presentation6.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
Fully 100 % online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetable: students progress at their own pace within the intake, making it easy to combine with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is AnyLogic, Navis N4, Python with scikit-learn, MarineTraffic, ROS, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real simulation procedures for autonomous terminal equipment, assessment of automation maturity, and analysis of autonomous ship pilot projects. 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.
Understand the levels and technologies of port automation.
Evaluate autonomous terminal equipment and its functional safety.
Analyse the status of autonomous ships and their regulation.
Apply data, AI and digital twins to port operations.
Manage the labour and social transition of automation.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior degree is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient 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 AnyLogic, Navis N4, Python with scikit-learn, MarineTraffic, ROS. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the open-source alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM own diploma upon passing the 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 can be credited towards the advanced programme. Check the credit transfer policy when you enrol.
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