Dr. Marina AlcoverAcademic director focused on measurable results and operational excellence in maritime education. Integrates IMO/STCW regulations and ISO 21001/9001 f
Masters · 1600 h · 11 modules
Master's in Submarine Cable Engineering
The Master's in Submarine Cable EngineeringPrepares you to lead the new era of global communications. This comprehensive program covers everything from the design and planning of submarine routes to the installation, maintenance
Duration1600 h
FormatOnline
Starts7 December
Places20 / 20
Prior knowledge
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Programme overview
What is the Master’s in Submarine Cable Engineering?
The Master's in Submarine Cable Engineering
Prepares you to lead the new era of global communications. This comprehensive program covers everything from the design and planning of submarine routes to the installation, maintenance, and repair of state-of-the-art cabling systems. Master cable laying techniques, seabed characterization, and complex project management in a demanding and constantly evolving environment.
Differentiating Advantages
- Cutting-edge technology: Learn about the latest innovations in fiber optic cables, subsea amplifiers, and monitoring systems.
- Simulations and case studies: Participate in deployment and repair simulations and analyze real-world cases of subsea cabling projects.
- Professional certification: Earn an industry-recognized certification that validates your knowledge and skills.
- Strategic networking: Connect with industry experts, leading companies, and professionals worldwide.
- Career opportunities: Access job opportunities in telecommunications and engineering companies Marine, offshore wind energy and consulting.
Programme type
Master's Degree
Study mode
Online
Duration
1,600 hours
Modules
11
Programme highlights
- Design and Planning: Master cable routing engineering, material selection, and deployment strategies.
- Installation and Maintenance: Learn advanced cable laying, repair, and risk management techniques in marine environments.
- Standards and Regulations: Delve into international standards, environmental legislation, and permits required for submarine projects.
- Failure Analysis and Repair: Develop skills in the detection, diagnosis, and efficient repair of faults in submarine cables.
- Sustainability and Environmental Impact: Incorporate responsible practices to minimize the ecological impact of projects. cabling.
- Boost your career in a booming sector with high demand for qualified professionals in underwater communication infrastructure.
Curriculum
Programme Structure
The programme is structured in 11 modules, listed below in order of study.
01
Fundamentals of Submarine Systems and Global Telecommunications Networks
- History and evolution of submarine networks: from telegraph cables to SDM (Spatial Division Multiplexing)
- General architecture of an underwater cable system: Dry Plant (Mooring Station) vs. Wet Plant (submerged infrastructure)
- Underwater network topologies: point to point, ring, branched (BU - Branching Units) and mesh nets
- Physicomathematical principles of fibre optic transmission in abyssal environments
- Business models and international consortia: Private Cables vs. Consortium Cables
- International regulatory framework: UNCLOS, Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) and International Waters
- Step Permits, Environmental Impact Assessments and Territorial Licenses
- ITU Standards and Standards (ITU-T Submarine Recommendations) and the ICPC (International Cable Protection Committee)
- Technological trends: very high capacity cables (Petabit-scale cables) and multi-core fibre
- Project Cost Analysis (Capex/Opex) and Cable Life Cycle Analysis (25+ years)
02
Design, fibre optic physics and submarine cable technology
- Types of submarine optical fibres: SMF, NZDSF, Ultra-Low Loss (ULL) and Large Effective Area (LEA)
- Advanced transmission technologies: Coherent Optical Communications and QAM/QPSK modulations
- Submerged optical amplification: EDFA optical repeaters, Raman pumping and active branching units
- Physical structure and cable shielding: Fibre cores, copper/aluminium tubes, polyethylene layers and steel reinforcement
- Wiring classes based on depth: Lightweight (LW), Lightweight Protected (LWP), Single Armor (SA), and Double Armor (DA)
- Remote Power Systems (PFE - Power Feeding Equipment) and High Voltage DC Conductors
- WSS Branching Units (Wavelength Selective Switching) and Dynamic Add-Drop Multiplexing (Submerged Roadm)
- Extreme hydrostatic pressure tolerance, fibre hydrogenation and salt corrosion
- High power and electrical interconnection cables (HVDC Submarine Cables) for offshore wind farms
- Labouratory tests and qualification of underwater components (tension, impact and pressure tests)
03
Oceanography, Marine Geology and Route Survey (Desktop & Marine Surveys)
- Applied physical oceanography: abyssal currents, tides, deep temperature and water density
- Geology and geomorphology of the seabed: submarine canyons, oceanic ridges and tectonic pits
- Geological maritime hazards (geohazards): landslides of the continental slope, earthquakes and volcanic activity
- Previous Cabinet Study (Desktop Study - DTS): Analysis of Historical Routes, Fishing, Anchorages and Shipwrecks
- Marine geophysical survey: multifaceted bathymetry (multibeam), sub-fund profiler and side-sweep sonar
- Geotechnical survey: Taking of witnesses (Gravity/Piston Coring) and cone penetration tests (CPT)
- Mapping of the final route and definition of the RPL (Route Position List) with slack margins (Slack)
- Evaluation of the sediment dynamics and mobility of the seabed for long-term stability
- Identification and interaction with existing infrastructures (crossed cables, pipelines and gas pipelines)
- Marine GIS data processing and high-precision engineering map creation
04
Laying and installation of underwater cables
- Cable ships architecture and equipment (cable ships): Cable tanks and reels
- Deck machinery: Cable tension motors (DOH Knife, LBT, CWP) and shooting control systems
- Dynamic stress calculation during laying (laying dynamics) and real-time slack management
- Preventive Burial Techniques: Submarine Plows (Sea Plows) and Water Jet Systems (Jetting)
- Shore End Operations: Direct Landings, HDD (Horizontal Directional Drilling) and Articulated Pipes
- Operations with ROVs (Remotely Operated Vehicles) and AUVs for support, supervision and inspection of the layout
- Fibre and armor splicing methods in deck (jointing & splicing) under variable sea conditions
- Cable loading logistics from the factory to the ship: stowing procedures and pre-testing
- Operational Safety Management at Sea (HSE), Meteorology and Decision Making for Operations Stop
- Final test protocols of acceptance at sea (post-installation testing & commissioning)
05
Cable Mooring Stations (Cable Landing Stations - CLS) and Ground Infrastructure
- Mooring Station Location and Design Criteria (CLS): Maritime Accessibility and Land Redundancy
- Design of beach wells (Beach Manholes - BMH) and connecting underground pipes (Fronhaul)
- Power supply infrastructure (PFE): High-voltage converters, sea earth (Ocean Ground) and electrodes
- Optical terminal equipment (SLTE - Submarine Line Terminal Equipment) and wavelength management
- Climate architecture, uninterruptible power (UPS/Generators) and fire protection in the CLS
- Interconnection with Fibre Terrestrial Networks (Backhaul), Data Centres and Traffic Exchange Points (IXP)
- Control systems and centralised management of the network (NMS - Network Management System and NOC)
- Cyber security and logical security of the cable mooring station
- End-to-end optical performance tests: Submarine OTDR, C-Band and L-Band dispersion check
- Compliance with standards of resistance to natural disasters (tsunamis, hurricanes and earthquakes) in coastal areas
06
Maintenance, repair and management of underwater breakdowns
- Main causes of cable failures: ship anchors, trawling nets, bites and geological events
- Accurate detection and location of faults from the station (Coherent OTDR and insulation resistance tests)
- Emergency action protocols and regional maintenance contracts (Zone Maintenance Agreements)
- Damaged Cable Recovery Operations: Stapling (grappling), Submarine Cutting and Surface Lift
- Execution of Repair Jointing Repair Splices and Replacement Loop Deployment
- Cable reburial after repair with unearthing tools and ROVs
- Preventive maintenance: monitoring of electrical signal, fibre power degradation and preventive alerts
- Management of critical parts and cable spare parts in strategic port warehouses
- Time to Repair (MTTR - Mean Time to Repair) and Economic Impact Calculation
- Case studies: Analysis of large cuts of historical cables and traffic restoration strategies
07
Protection of infrastructure, monitoring and sensors Smart Cables
- Passive Protection Strategies: Adequate Burial (Target Burial Depth) and Reinforced Armor
- Active maritime traffic monitoring (AIS) systems with automatic alerts for proximity of ships
- Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS - Distributed Acoustic Sensing) using the cable fibre itself
- Monitoring of vibrations and deformations by temperature/voltage by integrated sensors (DTS/DTSS)
- Concept and architecture of Smart Cables (Science Monitoring and Reliable Telecommunications)
- Integration of oceanographic and seismic sensors in repeaters for tsunamis early warning
- Coexistence agreements between the cabling industry and fishing or extractive fleets
- Management of claims for damages caused by third parties and marine forensics investigation
- Satellite surveillance and artificial intelligence for the protection of critical underwater infrastructure
- Defence protocols against sabotage, physical cyber attacks and hybrid threats to the global network
08
High Voltage Submarine Wiring (HVDC/AC) for Offshore Power
- Differences between telecommunications cables and underwater power transmission cables
- High voltage direct current technology (HVDC) vs. Alternating current (HVAC) for ocean distances
- Power cable design: copper/aluminium conductors, XLPE insulation and semiconductor layers
- Electrical interconnection between countries and connection of offshore wind farms (Offshore Wind Farms)
- Offshore Fixed and Fixed Electric Substations: Connection Interface with the Submarine Cable
- Thermal dissipation dynamics in the seabed and calculation of load capacity (Ampacity)
- Electromagnetic phenomena in water and impact mitigation on marine fauna
- Installation techniques and heavy burial for large diameter power cables
- Partial discharge tests and high voltage insulation in the marine environment
- Global trends in superconnected power networks (Offshore Energy Grids)
09
Legal, financial, geopolitical and project management
- Geopolitics of submarine cabling: data sovereignty and competition between superpowers
- Financial structuring of cabling projects: Project Finance, private capital and development funds
- Drafting of EPCI (Engineering, Procurement, Installation and Commissioning) contracts and C&MA contracts
- Risk Management in Capacity Acquisition Contracts: Infeasible Right of Use (IRU) and Leases
- Maritime insurance for the transport, installation and operation of the submerged plant
- Negotiation of easements of passage and occupation of the maritime-terrestrial public domain
- Marine project management methodologies (PMI/Prince2) applied to underwater engineering
- Management of main suppliers (System Vendors, Surveyors and Cable Ship Operators)
- Dismantling, recycling and circular economy of withdrawn submarine cables
- Independent Technical Audit Analysis (Owner's Engineer Role)
10
Safety, environment and coordination of underwater cabling operations
- Safety in cable vessels
- Coordination with maritime traffic
- Interaction with fishing and proximity agreements
- Cable Environmental Impact Assessment
- Protection of sensitive habitats
- Crossing with other underwater infrastructure
- Unexploited ammunition management (UXO)
- Maritime permits and authorizations
- Project quality management
- Installation and delivery report
11
Master’s Final Project in Submarine Cable Engineering
- Selection and justification of a real or hypothetical international energy or trade route
- Conducting the initial Desktop Study (DTS) study with geological and anthropic risk analysis
- Design of optical or electrical architecture, cable selection, repeaters and terminal equipment
- Defining the Route Position List (RPL) and Buried Plan by Depth Parts
- Site selection for Mooring Station (CLS) and Beach Manhole Infrastructure Design
- Preparation of the Installation Operational Plan: Vessels, Burial Tools and Operating Schedule
- Development of the environmental management plan, legal permits and risk mitigation strategies
- Complete financial economic modelling: Calculation of CAPEX, OPEX, ROI and tariff structure
- Drafting of the complete technical memory of the engineering project
- Public presentation and oral defence of the technical project before a court of industry experts
Workload
Study Time and Workload
1600 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
Civil, electrical, telecommunications, and naval engineers seeking to specialize in the design, installation, and maintenance of submarine cabling systems.Energy sector professionals (offshore wind, oil, and gas) interested in the connection of submarine infrastructure and the management of associated risks.Environmental and technical consultants requiring in-depth knowledge of regulations and
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
Verified reviews
Student Reviews
Reviews collected and verified by Opynio, not written by us.
Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
- 01Managing submarine cabling projects
- 02Optimize the design of cabling systems
- 03Supervise the installation and maintenance of cables
- 04Assess and mitigate environmental and technical risks
- 05Leading innovation in cabling technologies
- 06Mastering cable fault inspection and repair
Careers
Career Opportunities
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02Submarine Cable Project Engineer: Planning, design, management, and supervision of submarine cable installation and maintenance projects.
03Submarine Cable Design Engineer: Development and optimization of submarine cable designs for different applications and depths.
04Submarine Cable Testing and Inspection Specialist: Conducting tests and analyses to ensure the integrity and performance of submarine cables.
05Submarine Cable Engineering Consultant: Providing technical advice to companies and organizations on aspects related to the design, installation, and maintenance of submarine cables.
06Submarine Cable Technology Researcher: Development of new technologies and solutions to improve the efficiency and reliability of submarine cable systems.
07Submarine Cable Asset Manager: Monitoring and maintenance of submarine cable infrastructure to ensure its Optimal operation.
08Submarine Cable Operations Engineer: Planning and execution of submarine cable repair and maintenance operations.
09Submarine Cable Permits and Regulations Specialist: Management of permits and compliance with environmental and safety regulations for submarine cable projects.
Questions
Entry Requirements
Fiber optics
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.
Telecommunications industry (installation and maintenance of submarine fiber optic cables).
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
```htmlAcademic/Professional Profile:Bachelor's Degree in Engineering (Telecommunications, Electrical, Mechanical, Civil, etc.) or related field; Demonstrable professional experience in the submarine cable sector. Language proficiency:Proficiency in technical English (reading, writing, and speaking) is essential for understanding technical documentation and communicating on international projects. Documentation: Updated CV, copies of academic degrees, academic transcript, ID/Passport, and a letter of motivation explaining your interest in the master's program. Technical requirements (f
Questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
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