Dr. Marina AlcoverAcademic director focused on measurable results and operational excellence in maritime education. Integrates IMO/STCW regulations and ISO 21001/9001 f
Masters · 1500 h · 11 modules
Master's in Alternative Marine Fuels: Ammonia, Methanol and Hydrogen on Board
The Master's in Alternative Marine Fuels: Ammonia, Methanol and Hydrogen on Board Prepares you to design, operate and manage ships powered by the fuels of the future. You will study ammonia, methanol, hydrogen and e-fuels in depth
Duration1500 h
FormatOnline
Starts30 November
Places20 / 20
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Programme overview
What is the Master’s in Alternative Marine Fuels: Ammonia, Methanol and Hydrogen on Board?
The Master's in Alternative Marine Fuels: Ammonia, Methanol and Hydrogen on Board
Prepares you to design, operate and manage ships powered by the fuels of the future. You will study ammonia, methanol, hydrogen and e-fuels in depth: how they are produced, how they are stored on board, which engines and fuel cells use them, how bunkering is carried out safely and what international regulations require. A programme built for the professionals who will lead the biggest technological change in shipping since the move from sail to steam.
Key advantages
- The whole fuel picture: From green production to engine exhaust, with well-to-wake analysis.
- Safety first: Toxicity, flammability and risk management using HAZID and HAZOP.
- Up-to-date regulation: IGF Code, IMO interim guidelines, FuelEU Maritime and class rules.
- Real cases: Methanol-ready vessels, ammonia pilot projects and hydrogen ferries.
- Applied project: You design the conversion or new build of a ship running on an alternative fuel.
Programme type
Master's Degree
Study mode
Online
Duration
1,500 hours
Modules
11
Programme highlights
- Master the new fuels: Gain in-depth knowledge of ammonia, methanol and hydrogen as marine fuels.
- Design safe systems: Learn to size tanks, piping, ventilation and gas detection.
- Manage bunkering: Plan ship-to-ship, truck-to-ship and terminal fuel transfers.
- Meet the rules: Apply the IGF Code and IMO and EU emissions requirements.
- Boost your career: Become the technical profile shipowners, shipyards and ports are already looking for.
- Lead the energy transition in shipping with technical, practical and market-focused training.
Curriculum
Programme Structure
The programme is structured in 11 modules, listed below in order of study.
01
Energy Transition and the Regulatory Context of Shipping
- Shipping emissions and IMO climate targets
- The IMO greenhouse gas strategy and its revisions
- Technical and operational measures: EEXI, CII and SEEMP
- FuelEU Maritime and the EU Emissions Trading System
- Well-to-wake analysis and life-cycle emission factors
- Grey, blue and green fuels: definitions and certification
- Alternative fuel landscape and technology readiness
- Order book for alternative-fuel ships
- Key players: shipowners, yards, engine makers and suppliers
- Stranded-asset risk and investment decisions
02
Chemistry, Production and Supply Chain of the New Fuels
- Comparative physical and chemical properties of marine fuels
- Green hydrogen: alkaline, PEM and solid oxide electrolysis
- Ammonia synthesis: Haber-Bosch and green routes
- Methanol production: bio-methanol and e-methanol
- Synthetic e-fuels and captured CO2 as feedstock
- Advanced biofuels: HVO, FAME and bio-LNG
- Volumetric and gravimetric energy density: impact on design
- Global logistics: producer ports and supply corridors
- Levelised production costs and price outlook
- Certification of origin and sustainability guarantees
03
Methanol as a Marine Fuel
- Properties, toxicity and behaviour of methanol
- Methanol-ready ships and conversion of existing fleets
- Two-stroke dual-fuel engines for methanol
- Four-stroke engines and auxiliary generators
- Structural tanks, coatings and material compatibility
- Fuel supply systems and double-walled piping
- Leak detection and invisible flame: protective measures
- IMO interim guidelines for methanol and ethanol
- Operating experience of the first methanol container ships
- Economic analysis of the methanol option
04
Ammonia as a Marine Fuel
- Properties, toxicity and exposure limits of ammonia
- Refrigerated and pressurised storage on board
- Ammonia combustion engines: state of development
- Pilot fuel, N2O emissions and ammonia slip
- Exhaust after-treatment for ammonia
- Space design, ventilation and hazardous areas
- Detection, alarm and emergency systems
- Crew protection and personal protective equipment
- Pilot projects and the first ammonia-fuelled ships
- IMO guidelines and classification society rules
05
Hydrogen and Fuel Cells on Board
- Properties of hydrogen and flammability risks
- Compressed, liquefied and chemical-carrier (LOHC) storage
- PEM and solid oxide fuel cells for marine use
- Hydrogen internal combustion engines
- Material embrittlement and steel selection
- Hybrid systems with batteries and energy management
- Applications in ferries, workboats and short-sea shipping
- Safety in enclosed spaces and ventilation
- Demonstration projects in Europe and Asia
- Range limitations and viable use cases
06
Ship and Fuel System Design under the IGF Code
- Structure and scope of the IGF Code
- Alternative design approach and risk assessment
- Tank location and collision protection
- Double-walled piping and ventilated ducts
- Fuel preparation rooms and protected machinery spaces
- Hazardous area classification and certified equipment
- Nitrogen purging and inerting systems
- Fuel-specific fire protection
- Class notations for alternative fuels
- Plan approval by the classification society
07
Bunkering, Ports and Supply Infrastructure
- Bunkering models: truck-to-ship, ship-to-ship and terminal
- Design of alternative-fuel bunker vessels
- Safety zones and gas dispersion studies
- Operating procedures and checklists
- Ship-shore interface and emergency release systems
- Measuring delivered fuel quantity and quality
- Port storage of ammonia, methanol and hydrogen
- Coordination with port authorities and emergency services
- ISO standards and industry bunkering guidance
- Green corridors and supply hubs under development
08
Safety, Risk Management and Human Factors
- HAZID, HAZOP and quantitative risk assessment
- Leak, fire and toxic exposure scenarios
- On-board emergency response plans
- Mandatory crew training under STCW
- Enclosed space entry and permits to work
- Personal and respiratory protective equipment
- Safety culture during technological transition
- Lessons from the chemical and LNG industries
- Fuel-specific drills and exercises
- Safety audits and indicators
09
Economics, Finance and Fleet Strategy
- Total cost of ownership by fuel type
- CAPEX and OPEX in new builds and conversions
- Economic impact of the EU ETS and FuelEU Maritime
- Pooling mechanisms and compliance credits
- Long-term supply and offtake contracts
- Green finance, the Poseidon Principles and the EU taxonomy
- Flexible design options: fuel-ready and multi-fuel ships
- Scenario and price sensitivity analysis
- Residual value and obsolescence risk
- Communicating the strategy to customers and investors
10
Operation, Maintenance and Emissions Monitoring
- Start-up, fuel changeover and dual-fuel operation
- Maintenance plans for engines and fuel systems
- Fuel quality management and sampling
- Continuous emissions monitoring (CEMS)
- EU MRV and IMO DCS systems
- Data management and emissions verification
- Complementary energy optimisation: speed, hull and routing
- Handling faults and breakdowns in new systems
- Fleet environmental performance indicators
- Continuous improvement and lessons from early adopters
11
Master's Final Project: Alternative Fuel Strategy for a Real Ship
- Choosing the ship or fleet to study
- Analysis of the operating profile and routes
- Technical and economic comparison of candidate fuels
- Justified selection of fuel and propulsion technology
- Conceptual design of the fuel system and tanks
- HAZID risk assessment of the proposed design
- Bunkering and supply plan for ports of call
- Well-to-wake emissions and regulatory compliance
- Implementation plan, costs and timeline
- Writing the dissertation and defending it before a panel
Workload
Study Time and Workload
1500 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
Naval architects and marine engineers: who want to specialise in the design and operation of ships running on alternative fuels Engineer officers and chief engineers: who will operate dual-fuel engines and low-flashpoint fuel systems Technical superintendents and fleet managers: who must set their company’s fuel strategy Port and terminal professionals: responsible for bunkering and storage
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
- 01Compare alternative fuels
- 02Design on-board fuel systems
- 03Select the propulsion technology
- 04Manage safety
- 05Plan bunkering
- 06Build a fleet strategy
Careers
Career Opportunities
01Alternative fuels engineer: Designing and approving fuel systems at shipyards and design offices.
02New technology technical superintendent: Overseeing new builds and conversions for shipowners.
03Fleet decarbonisation manager: Fuel strategy and regulatory compliance.
04Bunkering specialist: Designing and operating supply infrastructure in ports.
05Maritime energy transition consultant: Advising shipowners, ports and investors.
06Classification society engineer or surveyor: Plan review and certification of alternative-fuel ships.
Questions
Entry Requirements
Ammonia, methanol and hydrogen in depth, plus advanced biofuels, LNG and e-fuels as a point of comparison.
It is not essential. The programme includes a technical foundation, although a background in engineering, navigation or marine engineering helps.
Yes. We work with the IGF Code, IMO interim guidelines, FuelEU Maritime and the EU ETS, and update the materials whenever the rules change.
You design an alternative-fuel strategy for a real ship or fleet, with technical, economic, risk and emissions analysis.
Shipowners, shipyards, classification societies, ports, energy suppliers and energy transition consultancies.
100% online, with a virtual campus available 24/7, live sessions that are recorded, and tutorials with the teaching staff.
The programme involves 1500 hours of study. You can work at your own pace within the timetable we give you when you enrol.
Each programme has its own start date, shown on this page and confirmed by our admissions team when you enquire.
On completing the programme you receive the Master's in Alternative Marine Fuels: Ammonia, Methanol and Hydrogen on Board qualification awarded by Navalis Magna Institute.
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: A degree in naval architecture, marine, mechanical, chemical or energy engineering, nautical science or marine engineering; or proven professional experience in the maritime or energy sector. Language: A good working level of English to follow classes and materials. Technical requirements: A computer with a stable internet connection, an up-to-date browser and a webcam for live sessions and project presentations. Admissions process: Online application, profile review and a short interview with the academic team. We confirm your start date when you enquire.
Questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
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