Dr. Marina AlcoverAcademic director focused on measurable results and operational excellence in maritime education. Integrates IMO/STCW regulations and ISO 21001/9001 f
Diploma · 800 h · 8 modules
Diploma in Transit Planning and Commercial Navigation
The Diploma in Transit Planning and Commercial NavigationThis program provides you with the essential tools to optimize safety and efficiency in navigation. Master the interpretation of nautical charts and publications, risk ma
Duration800 h
FormatOnline
Starts16 November
Places20 / 20
Prior knowledge
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Programme overview
What is the Diploma in Transit Planning and Commercial Navigation?
The Diploma in Transit Planning and Commercial Navigation
This program provides you with the essential tools to optimize safety and efficiency in navigation. Master the interpretation of nautical charts and publications, risk management in different maritime environments, and the route planning strategies that drive commercial success. This program empowers you to make informed decisions and lead safe and profitable navigation operations in the competitive world of maritime transport.
Differential Advantages
- Advanced Planning: Design of optimized routes considering weather factors, currents, and port restrictions.
- Risk Management: Identification and mitigation of hazards to ensure the safety of the crew and cargo.
- Regulatory Compliance: Application of international regulations (SOLAS, MARPOL) to avoid penalties and delays.
- Operational Efficiency: Optimization of fuel consumption and cost reduction through strategic planning.
- Practical Simulations: Application of knowledge in real-world scenarios to develop decision-making skills.
Programme type
Diploma
Study mode
Online
Duration
800 hours
Modules
8
Start date
26-11-2026
Programme highlights
- Master the shipping routes: Learn to optimize transit planning for commercial efficiency.
- Advanced navigation: Delve into modern navigation techniques and cutting-edge tools.
- Safety and compliance: Understand international regulations and best practices to ensure safe operations.
- Risk management: Develop skills to identify and mitigate risks in commercial shipping.
- Simulation and case studies: Apply your knowledge to real-world scenarios through interactive simulations.
- Boost your career in the maritime sector with this specialized diploma.
Curriculum
Programme Structure
The programme is structured in 8 modules, listed below in order of study.
01
Regulatory framework, international regulation and commercial maritime management
- IMO international agreements applicable to commercial navigation: SOLAS, MARPOL, STCW and COLREG
- Law of the Sea (Convemar): Inland waters, Territorial Sea, Exclusive Economic Zone (ZEE) and High Seas
- Legal regime of international tickets: innocent passage, transit through straits and international channels
- Liability, Maritime Insurance (P&I Clubs, Hull & Machinery) and Gross Fault Management (General Average)
- Security Management Code (AGS Code / ISM Code) and PBIP / IPS Code for Ship Protection
- Port State Inspections (Port State Control - PSC) and Memorandums of Understanding (Paris Mou, Tokyo Mou)
- Commercial travel documentation: cargo manifest, bill of lading and enlistment letter (NOR)
- SOLAS Convention Requirements on Planning
02
Travel planning (passage planning) according to IMI directives
- Fundamental stages of defeat planning according to Res. A.893(21) of the IMO: Appreciation, Planning, Execution and Monitoring
- Collection of nautical information: Notices to Mariners, Sailing Directions and tide tables
- Optimal defeat selection: orthodromic (Great Circle), Loxodromic (Rhumb Line) and Mixed Navigation
- Determination of safety margins: depth of safety, protection of the coast, leeward and low margin keel (UKC - Under Keel Clearance)
- Areas of special attention (SECA/ECA), specially sensitive marine areas (PSSA) and speed restrictions
- Integration of the ECDIS Console Cruise Plan and Heading Change Point Management (Waypoints)
- Contingency Planning: Emergency Anchorages, Abort Points, and Shelter Ports
- Evaluation, planning, execution and control phases
03
Weather Routing and Operational Efficiency
- Global nautical weather: wind belts, main ocean currents and seasonal storm patterns
- Interpretation of numerical weather prediction models (GFS, ECMWF) and GRiB data files
- Dynamics of waves and surges: significant wave height, period, direction of the sea in the background (swell) and crossed seas
- Weather Routing Software on Board and from Ground Control Centres (Shore-Based Routing)
- Optimisation of fuel consumption (Fuel oil consumption) by navigation by constant power or variable speed
- Navigation in ice zones: Polar Code (Polar Code), icebreaker support and route selection at high latitudes
- Monitoring of the state of the sea for the prevention of parametric resonance, violent balance and loss of load
- Weather Routing Software
04
Transit through interoceanic canals and strategic straits
- Geopolitics and Logistics of Global Chokepoint Steps: Strait of Malacca, Bab el-Mandeb, Hormuz and Gibraltar
- Transit through the Panama Canal: ACP regulation, NeoPanamax dimensions, Slot assignment and Freshwater Draught calculation (TFW)
- Transit through the Suez Canal: SCA regulations, transit convoys, navigation speed and wind restrictions
- Pilotage (Pilotage) and trailer services in restrictive port channels and ports
- Hydrodynamics in shallow and reduced water: Settlement phenomenon (squat), wall/channel effect and suction between ships
- Calculation of transit costs, ticket fees, tolls and waiting time management (demurrage)
- Safety and navigation procedures in areas of high risk of piracy (HRA) and implementation of BMP measures
- Panama Canal and Suez Canal
05
Port operations, chartering and maritime transport economy
- Maritime Chartering Markets: Chartering Policies by Voyage (Voyage Charter), by Time (Time Charter) and Bareboat (Bareboat)
- Calculation of the settlement of the trip (Voyage estimating): Fixed costs, variables (fuel/bunkers) and ports
- Commercial Speed Management (Econ Speed vs. Full Speed) and Operational Performance Clauses in Chartering Policies
- Fuel supply logistics (bunkering): quality management, ISO 8217 sampling and mass balance monitoring
- Iron times (Laytime), stays (demurrage) and dispatches (despatch) at the ship-port interface
- Arrival at Port (Just-in-Time Arrivals - JIT) for the reduction of emissions at the anchorage
- Coordination with Consignee Agents (Port Agents), Customs, Health and Migration Authorities
- Chartering contracts and their relationship with the route
06
Maritime Traffic Systems (VTS), Fleet Coordination and Management
- Maritime Traffic Services (VTS): Organisation, types of services (information, navigation assistance and traffic organisation)
- Traffic separation schemes (EST / TSS): Colreg regulation (Rule 10), coastal traffic zones and traffic routes
- Fleet Operations Centres - FOC and Fleet Monitoring in Real Time
- Ship-Earth data exchange through centralised marine protocols and cloud platforms
- Resource management on the bridge (BRM - Bridge Resource Management) and leadership of the navigation team
- Operational Communication in English Standard Marine (SMCP - IMO Standard Marine Communication Phrases)
- Mandatory Ship Notification Protocols (SHIPREP) and Long Range Tracking Systems (LRIT)
- Communications with VTS stations
07
Digital transformation, route optimisation and artificial intelligence
- Digitization of the maritime supply chain and IMO e-Navigation platforms
- Artificial Intelligence Algorithms for Predicting High Precision Estimated Times of Arrival (ETA)
- Integration of the IHO S-100: Overlay of three-dimensional models of current, depth and wind in real time
- Multi-objective crossing optimisation: balance between hydrodynamic safety, consumption, emissions ($CO_2$, $SO_X$) and travel time
- Calculation and operational impact of the CII (Carbon Intensity Indicator) and EEXI (Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index)
- Automation of the Digital Navigation Journal (Electronic Logbooks) and integration with fleet management
- Cybersecurity in the transmission of route planning and protection of operational networks on board
- AI route optimisation
08
Crisis Management, Case Studies and Capstone Project
- Analysis of accidents and incidents of commercial navigation: boarding, dry-docking, friction and loss of manoeuvre
- Maritime Accident Investigation Methodology According to the IMO Claims Investigation Code
- Procedures for emergency response at sea: search and rescue (SAR / IAMSAR manual) and maritime rescue
- Communication management in crisis situations with shipowners, charterers, insurers and media
- Assessment of operational risks on complex or poorly mapped routes (Risk Assessment)
- Internal and External Navigation Audits (NAV Audit) for verification of compliance with the crossing plan
- Presentation of the Capstone Project
- Capstone Project: Comprehensive planning, economic evaluation, meteorological analysis and contingency plan for the commercial transit of a ship between two continents
Workload
Study Time and Workload
800 hours of study, online and at your own pace. Move the slider to the hours a week you can really put in.
Hours a week8
Weeks to finish—
You finish around—
Who it is for
Merchant Marine officers seeking to optimize route planning, risk management, and efficiency in commercial navigation.Fleet superintendents and managers wishing to implement best practices in safety, regulatory compliance, and reducing operating costs.Shipping and logistics company personnel focused on the continuous improvement of transit planning processes and resource optimization.Maritim
Faculty
Academic direction and faculty
The teaching team at Navalis: working professionals who deliver and oversee the institute's programmes.
Eng. Diego Cifuentes
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)
Dr. Pau Ferrer
Dr. Nuria Llobregat
Eng. Javier Bañuls
Eng. Sofía Marquina
Eng. Tomás Riera
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Student Reviews
Reviews collected and verified by Opynio, not written by us.
Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
- 01Optimizing efficiency on commercial shipping routes
- 02Managing risks and complying with regulations in navigation
- 03To coordinate transit and commercial navigation operations with precision
- 04Implement navigation strategies to reduce operating costs
- 05Apply cutting-edge technologies for transit planning
- 06Leading teams in the safe and efficient execution of commercial navigation
Careers
Career Opportunities
01Maritime Route Planner: route optimization, analysis of weather conditions and currents, selection of ports and anchorages.
02Port Operations Manager: coordination of port calls, resource allocation, optimization of loading and unloading times.
03Maritime Transport Project Feasibility Analyst: evaluation of routes, costs, risks, and benefits of new trade routes.
04Maritime Logistics Consultant: advice on supply chain planning and management, optimization of costs and delivery times.
05Maritime Regulations Specialist: application and compliance with national and international regulations regarding safety, the environment, and trade.
06Maritime Traffic Manager: management and control of traffic in port areas and navigation channels, prevention of collisions and accidents.
07Maritime Safety Auditor: Verification of compliance with safety standards and procedures on ships and at port terminals.
08Maritime Accident Investigator: Analysis of causes and contributing factors in incidents, preparation of reports and recommendations for prevention.
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Questions
Entry Requirements
Optimize navigation routes to ensure the safety and efficiency of maritime transport, minimizing costs and transit times.
Yes. The itinerary includes ECDIS/Radar-ARPA/BRM with harbor, ocean, fog, storm, and SAR scenarios.
Online with live sessions; hybrid option for simulator/practical placements through agreements.
Typically, a Diploma in Transit Planning and Commercial Navigation covers all three areas: land, sea, and air.
Recommended functional SMCP. We offer support materials for standard phraseology.
Yes, with a relevant degree or experience in maritime/port operations. The admissions interview will confirm suitability.
Optional (3–6 months) through Companies & Collaborations and the Alumni Network.
Simulator practice (rubrics), defeat plans, SOPs, checklists, micro-tests and applied TFM.
A degree from Navalis Magna Institute + operational portfolio (tracks, SOPs, reports and KPIs) useful for audits and employment.
Online admissions
Admissions Process
No waiting for a phone call. If your documents are complete, you can pay in the same session.
Entry requirements
Academic/Professional Profile:Bachelor's/Undergraduate degree in areas related to logistics, transportation, international trade, or engineering; Demonstrable professional experience in route planning, transport operations, or maritime trade.Previous Knowledge: Basic knowledge of geography, cartography, navigation, and maritime transport regulations will be valued. Documentation: Updated curriculum vitae, copy of academic qualification (if applicable), cover letter explaining interest in transit planning and commercial navigation, and ID/Passport.Skills: Analytical skills, problem-solvin
Questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
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