Ship Trim Optimisation Course
Online 300-hour course in ship trim optimisation. 6 modules with IMO Resolution MEPC.346(78) Guidelines for developing the SEEMP, ISO 19030-2 Ships and marine technology — Measurement of changes in hull and propeller performance and Simcenter STAR-CCM+. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Ship Trim Optimisation Course — studying from New Zealand
Maritime engineering is significant for New Zealand, given its extensive coastline, large exclusive economic zone and a strong sailing and boatbuilding tradition. Auckland, often called the City of Sails, hosts boatbuilders, marine service providers and offshore engineering firms, while Maritime New Zealand regulates safety at sea. Opportunities include naval architecture, offshore energy and aquaculture, and the New Zealand Defence Force's naval fleet supports further demand.
Fees for New Zealand: NZ$1,470 (New Zealand dollar), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in New Zealand
Typical roles
Questions from New Zealand
Which New Zealand bodies regulate marine and offshore engineering?
Maritime New Zealand regulates maritime safety and the operation of vessels, and Engineering New Zealand is the professional body for engineers. Marine surveying and certain roles require recognised certificates issued by official bodies. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not accredited by any national body, so they do not replace these requirements.
Do marine and offshore employers in New Zealand value private qualifications?
New Zealand has active marine, boatbuilding, port and offshore sectors, particularly in Auckland and the Bay of Plenty. Employers usually prioritise recognised certificates, licences and practical experience. A SEIUM qualification may support an application, but whether it is valued is for each employer to decide.
Can I study this part-time from New Zealand?
Yes. The programme is 100% online and taught in English, so no student visa is needed to study from New Zealand. You are assigned a technical tutor and must complete a final project. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible. Programme lengths range from 300 to 1,900 hours.
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
Explain the influence of trim on resistance and propulsion.
Obtain optimal trim matrices through tests and CFD.
Integrate optimal trim into cargo planning.
Respect stability, visibility and draught constraints.
Evaluate commercial onboard support systems.
Measure savings in accordance with ISO 19030.
Design an optimal trim procedure for a ship.
Who it's for
- Energy efficiency engineer who wants to specialise in ship trim optimisation.
- Technical superintendent who wants to specialise in ship trim optimisation.
- Cargo officer who wants to specialise in ship trim optimisation.
- Fleet performance analyst who wants to specialise in ship trim optimisation.
- Hydrodynamics engineer who wants to specialise in ship trim optimisation.
- Maritime decarbonisation consultant who wants to specialise in ship trim optimisation.
- Graduates in engineering or sciences seeking to join shipping companies.
What you'll work with
- IMO Resolution MEPC.346(78) Guidelines for developing the SEEMP
- ISO 19030-2 Ships and marine technology — Measurement of changes in hull and propeller performance
- SOLAS Convention, Regulation V/22 Navigation bridge visibility
- MARPOL Annex VI Chapter 4 Energy efficiency of ships
- IS Code 2008 International Code on Intact Stability
- BWM Convention 2004 Control and management of ships' ballast water
- ISO 15016 Assessment of speed and power performance by analysis of speed trial data
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Definition of static and dynamic trim1.2Effect of trim on wetted surface1.3Bulb immersion and wave system1.4Transom immersion1.5Variation of wake and propulsive efficiency1.6Dependence on draught and speed1.7Optimal trim maps1.8Most sensitive ships: container ships and ro-ro1.9Documented typical savings1.10Practical case: reading a trim map
2.1Towing tank tests at different trims2.2CFD simulation with imposed trim2.3Scaling results to the full-scale ship2.4Draught, speed and trim matrices2.5Interpolation and smoothing of results2.6Influence of waves and wind2.7Validation with service data2.8Models based on operational data2.9Uncertainty of predicted savings2.10Practice: trim matrix from CFD results
3.1Cargo planning for optimal trim3.2Use of ballast and weight penalty3.3Stability and longitudinal strength constraints3.4Bridge visibility, SOLAS V/223.5Maximum draught in ports and channels3.6Fuel consumption during the voyage3.7Interaction with container stowage plans3.8Ballast water management under BWM3.9Communication between planner and cargo officer3.10Workshop: cargo plan with optimised trim
4.1Commercial trim optimisation tools4.2Integration with the loading computer4.3Real-time measurement of draughts and trim4.4Monitoring of power and speed4.5Dynamic recommendations during navigation4.6Interface with the officer of the watch4.7Recording and analysis of performance data4.8Crew training4.9Maintenance and system updates4.10Practical case: evaluation of a commercial onboard system
5.1Performance measurement under ISO 190305.2Baseline and data normalisation5.3Contribution to the ship's SEEMP5.4Impact on the CII indicator5.5Third-party verification of savings5.6Cost-benefit analysis of the system5.7Combination with other operational measures5.8Reports to fleet managers5.9Common assessment errors5.10Laboratory: analysis of performance data before and after
6.1Ship selection and operating profile6.2Collection of cargo and service data6.3Resistance calculation for several trims6.4Construction of the optimal trim matrix6.5Definition of operational constraints6.6Estimation of fuel savings6.7Operating procedure for the crew6.8Plan for monitoring results6.9Report and presentation6.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
Fully 100% online study 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, which makes it possible to combine the programme with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Simcenter STAR-CCM+, NAPA Voyage Optimization, MATLAB, Python with pandas, in free, academic or evaluation versions. The tests are studied through real CFD simulation procedures for resistance at different trims, analysis of operational fuel consumption data, and preparation of an optimised cargo plan. 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.
Explain the influence of trim on resistance and propulsion.
Obtain optimal trim matrices through tests and CFD.
Integrate optimal trim into cargo planning.
Respect stability, visibility and draught constraints.
Evaluate commercial onboard support systems.
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 the reading of 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 300 hours, spread over 3 to 5 months. That is between 10 and 15 hours per week on average, compatible with a full-time job.
The course works with Simcenter STAR-CCM+, NAPA Voyage Optimization, MATLAB, Python with pandas. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
An in-house diploma from SEIUM Institute upon passing the 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 are recognised in the higher programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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