Postgraduate Diploma in Storage and Handling of LNG/Methanol/NH₃
Online 800-hour Postgraduate Diploma in storage and handling of LNG/Methanol/NH₃. 8 modules with the IGF Code (ships using gases or other low-flashpoint fuels), IGC Code (gas carriers) and Aspen HYSYS. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Postgraduate Diploma in Storage and Handling of LNG/Methanol/NH₃ — studying from the United States
Naval and offshore engineering in the United States is concentrated in Virginia, Maine, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas. Shipbuilders such as HII (Huntington Ingalls Industries) and General Dynamics Electric Boat design and construct naval vessels, while offshore energy firms develop platforms and subsea systems. The recreational marine sector, including boat builders in Florida and the Carolinas, adds demand for hull, propulsion and marine systems expertise. Classification societies and government regulators set rigorous standards for safety and performance.
Fees for the United States: US$1,000 (US Dollars), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in the United States
Typical roles
Questions from the United States
Which US bodies relate to naval, offshore, and marine engineering?
Relevant bodies include the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SNAME), the American Bureau of Shipping as a classification society, and the US Coast Guard, which regulates vessel safety. Professional PE licensure is issued by state boards. SEIUM's private qualifications are not accredited by any national body, so acceptance is decided by employers or these bodies.
Where do marine and offshore engineers typically work in the US?
Common employers include shipyards, naval architecture firms, offshore energy companies, marine equipment suppliers, and sports boat builders. Roles include naval architect, marine systems engineer, and offshore project engineer. Employers judge candidates on experience and technical ability, so a private qualification should be presented alongside practical evidence of skill.
Is the programme workable for someone with a full-time job?
The programmes are online and taught in English, so you can study from home without a student visa. Workload ranges from 300 hours for specialist courses to 1,900 hours for master's programmes, so estimate your weekly time carefully. An assigned technical tutor supports you, and fees can be paid in instalments.
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
Compare the properties and risks of LNG, methanol and ammonia.
Apply the IGF Code and IMO interim guidelines to design.
Select fuel tank types and their insulation.
Design fuel handling and supply systems.
Analyse leak, toxicity and flammability risks with protective measures.
Plan bunkering operations in accordance with ISO 20519.
Define crew training for safe operation.
Who it's for
- Alternative fuel systems engineer who wants to specialise in Storage and Handling of LNG/Methanol/NH₃.
- Process safety engineer who wants to specialise in Storage and Handling of LNG/Methanol/NH₃.
- LNG vessel superintendent who wants to specialise in Storage and Handling of LNG/Methanol/NH₃.
- Bunkering coordinator who wants to specialise in Storage and Handling of LNG/Methanol/NH₃.
- Class surveyor for alternative fuels who wants to specialise in Storage and Handling of LNG/Methanol/NH₃.
- Gas conversion project engineer who wants to specialise in Storage and Handling of LNG/Methanol/NH₃.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter shipping companies.
What you'll work with
- IGF Code (ships using gases or other low-flashpoint fuels)
- IGC Code (gas carriers)
- ISO 20519 (specification for LNG bunkering)
- MSC.1/Circ.1621 (interim guidelines for ships using methanol or ethanol as fuel)
- IMO interim guidelines for ships using ammonia as fuel
- IEC 60079 (explosive atmospheres)
- STCW Convention (training for ships subject to the IGF Code)
8 modules · 800 h
1.1Context of maritime decarbonisation1.2Properties of liquefied natural gas1.3Properties of methanol1.4Properties of ammonia1.5Energy and volumetric comparison1.6Toxicity and flammability1.7Green and blue fuels1.8Availability and bunkering1.9IMO GHG strategy1.10Case study: fuel comparison for a container ship
2.1Structure of the IGF Code2.2Goal-based approach and alternative design2.3MSC.1/Circ.1621 guidelines for methanol2.4Interim guidelines for ammonia2.5IGC Code for gas carriers2.6DNV, LR and ABS classification rules2.7Gas-ready and fuel-ready notations2.8Risk assessment under the IGF Code2.9Approval of alternative designs2.10Workshop: IGF requirements matrix
3.1Type A, B and C tanks3.2Membrane tanks3.3Integrated methanol tanks3.4Refrigerated and pressurised ammonia tanks3.5Cryogenic materials and compatibility3.6Thermal insulation and boil-off3.7Location and protection of tanks3.8Maximum filling and pressure relief3.9Stress corrosion cracking with ammonia3.10Practice: sizing a Type C tank
4.1Fuel gas supply system (FGSS)4.2Vaporisers and heaters4.3Cryogenic pumps4.4Double-walled pipework4.5Master fuel valves4.6Purging and inerting4.7Boil-off management and reliquefaction4.8Venting and vent masts4.9Ammonia capture systems4.10Laboratory: P&ID diagram of an FGSS
5.1Classification of hazardous areas5.2Gas and toxic leak detection5.3Space ventilation5.4Specific fire protection5.5Showers and eyewash stations for ammonia5.6PPE and breathing apparatus5.7HAZID and HAZOP analysis5.8Gas dispersion analysis5.9Emergency response5.10Case study: HAZOP of a preparation room
6.1Methods: truck, ship and terminal6.2ISO 20519 standard for LNG6.3SGMF bunkering guidelines6.4Safety zones and simultaneous operations6.5Emergency release coupling (ERC)6.6Methanol bunkering6.7Ammonia bunkering and risks6.8Ship-to-supplier communications6.9Checklists6.10Workshop: LNG bunkering plan
7.1STCW Code and IGF training7.2Operating procedures7.3Maintenance of cryogenic systems7.4Logbook management7.5Class and flag inspections7.6Methane slip management7.7Operational experience of LNG-fuelled ships7.8Pilots of ammonia-fuelled ships7.9Lessons learned from incidents7.10Practice: entry procedure for a gas-contaminated space
8.1Selection of vessel and fuel8.2Applicable regulatory requirements8.3Tank sizing8.4Handling system design8.5Hazardous area classification and safety8.6Risk analysis8.7Bunkering procedure8.8Approval plan with the class society8.9Report and presentation8.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
Delivered 100% online through 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 Aspen HYSYS, DNV Phast, ANSYS Fluent, AutoCAD Plant 3D, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Exercises are based on real HAZID and HAZOP analysis procedures for fuel systems, leak dispersion simulations and simulated bunkering procedures. Assessment is continuous, module by module, plus a final integrating project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Compare the properties and risks of LNG, methanol and ammonia.
Apply the IGF Code and IMO interim guidelines to design.
Select fuel tank types and their insulation.
Design fuel handling and supply systems.
Analyse leak, toxicity and flammability risks with protective measures.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university 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 800 hours spread over 6 to 8 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with full-time work.
You will work with Aspen HYSYS, DNV Phast, ANSYS Fluent, AutoCAD Plant 3D. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM diploma upon passing continuous assessment and the final integrating project. This is in-house training, not an official Ministry qualification.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or diploma in the same area are credited towards the advanced programme. Check the credit transfer policy when you enrol.
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