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 Remote Operation of Autonomous Ships and the MASS Code
The Master's in Remote Operation of Autonomous Ships and the MASS Code Prepares you to work on the new generation of autonomous and remotely operated ships. With the adoption of the IMO MASS Code, navigation with few or no crew on
Duration1500 h
FormatOnline
Starts23 November
Places20 / 20
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Programme overview
What is the Master’s in Remote Operation of Autonomous Ships and the MASS Code?
The Master's in Remote Operation of Autonomous Ships and the MASS Code
Prepares you to work on the new generation of autonomous and remotely operated ships. With the adoption of the IMO MASS Code, navigation with few or no crew on board is moving from the laboratory into regulation. You will learn how these ships perceive their surroundings, how they make decisions, how they are supervised from a remote operation centre, how they are protected against cyber attacks and what the rules require for safe operation.
Key advantages
- Latest regulation: Applied study of the MASS Code and its links with SOLAS, COLREG and STCW.
- Complete technology stack: Sensors, data fusion, artificial intelligence, communications and control.
- Remote operation centre: Design, manning and procedures for shore-based operation.
- Built-in cyber security: Protecting critical systems on connected ships.
- Real project: You design the concept of operations (ConOps) for an autonomous ship.
Programme type
Master's Degree
Study mode
Online
Duration
1,500 hours
Modules
11
Programme highlights
- Understand autonomy: Learn the levels of autonomy and MASS system architectures.
- Master perception: Work with radar, LiDAR, cameras and AIS and sensor fusion.
- Operate remotely: Learn to supervise ships from a remote operation centre.
- Comply with the rules: Apply the MASS Code and approval processes.
- Lead innovation: Position yourself in one of the most promising fields in shipping.
- Join the generation that will operate the autonomous ships already being built.
Curriculum
Programme Structure
The programme is structured in 11 modules, listed below in order of study.
01
Fundamentals of Autonomous Ships
- Definition of a maritime autonomous surface ship (MASS)
- Levels and modes of autonomy
- History and evolution of autonomy projects
- Autonomous ships in service and under construction
- Benefits: safety, cost, efficiency and new tasks
- Current technical and operational limits
- Candidate ship types and operations
- Value chain and industry players
- Impact on maritime professions
- Adoption scenarios
02
Regulatory Framework: the MASS Code and IMO Instruments
- The IMO regulatory process on autonomy
- Structure and scope of the MASS Code
- Relationship with SOLAS, COLREG, STCW and MARPOL
- Concept of operations (ConOps) and its approval
- The master’s role and liability on remotely operated ships
- Requirements for the remote operation centre
- Trials in national waters
- Insurance and civil liability
- Classification society rules
- Expected regulatory developments
03
Sensors, Perception and Data Fusion
- Marine radar and signal processing
- LiDAR in the marine environment
- Visible and infrared cameras
- AIS, GNSS and inertial systems
- Acoustic and meteorological sensors
- Multi-sensor fusion and Kalman filters
- Target detection and tracking
- Adverse conditions: rain, fog and sea state
- Calibration and redundancy
- Ship situational awareness
04
Artificial Intelligence for Navigation
- Machine learning and computer vision
- Classification of vessels and objects
- Predicting other ships’ trajectories
- COLREG-compliant collision avoidance algorithms
- Route planning and optimisation
- Reinforcement learning and simulation
- Validation and verification of AI systems
- Explainability and operator trust
- Data bias and limitations
- Certifying AI software in safety-critical settings
05
Control, Manoeuvring and On-Board Systems
- Control architecture of an autonomous ship
- Advanced autopilot and track keeping
- Autonomous berthing and unberthing
- Electric propulsion and power control
- Monitoring unmanned machinery
- Predictive maintenance and self-diagnosis
- Fault management and degraded modes
- Minimum risk manoeuvre
- Integration with port systems
- Sea trials of autonomous systems
06
Communications and Connectivity
- Ship-shore communication requirements
- LEO and GEO satellite and maritime 5G
- Latency, bandwidth and availability
- Redundancy and loss-of-link management
- Transmitting video and sensor data
- Communications with other ships and VTS
- e-Navigation services and S-100
- Prioritising critical data
- Connectivity trials on real routes
- Communication costs and sizing
07
Remote Operation Centre: Design and Operation
- Functions of the remote operation centre (ROC)
- Workstation design and ergonomics
- Manning, shifts and operator-to-ship ratio
- Human-machine interfaces and alarm management
- Taking control and handover between centres
- Normal and emergency procedures
- Fatigue, workload and situational awareness
- Training and qualification of remote operators
- Simulators for training
- ROC performance indicators
08
Cyber Security of Autonomous Ships
- Attack surface of a connected ship
- IMO guidelines on cyber risk management
- IACS UR E26 and E27 requirements
- Network segmentation and secure architecture
- Protecting communication links
- GNSS and AIS spoofing
- Intrusion detection and incident response
- Software supply chain security
- Penetration testing and exercises
- Recovery and continuity of operations
09
Risk Management, Safety and Human Factors
- Risk analysis of autonomous systems
- STPA, FMEA and fault tree methods
- Safety cases
- Interaction with crewed ships
- Search and rescue with uncrewed ships
- Emergency response without crew on board
- Human factors in remote supervision
- Responsibility and decision-making
- Investigating incidents involving autonomous systems
- Acceptance by the maritime community
10
Business Models and Implementation
- Use cases: short sea, ferries, port services and offshore
- Autonomous survey, hydrography and support vessels
- Cost-benefit analysis of autonomy
- Retrofitting existing ships
- Partnerships between shipowners, yards and tech firms
- Managing organisational change
- Relations with ports and authorities
- Trial and scale-up plan
- Financing innovation projects
- Autonomous ship market trends
11
Master's Final Project: Concept of Operations for an Autonomous Ship
- Choice of ship, route and operation
- Defining the level of autonomy
- Sensor and systems architecture
- Connectivity and redundancy design
- Remote operation centre design
- Risk analysis and safety case
- Cyber security plan
- MASS Code compliance and approval plan
- Economic study and implementation plan
- 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
Deck officers and masters: who want to move into remote ship operation Naval, electronic and telecommunications engineers: interested in autonomous systems Software, robotics and AI engineers: who want to apply their skills to shipping Shipowners and operators: studying autonomy projects for their fleet Maritime administration and classification society staff: who will take part in approvi
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
- 01Understand levels of autonomy
- 02Design the system architecture
- 03Apply AI to navigation
- 04Operate from a remote centre
- 05Manage risk
- 06Apply the MASS Code
Careers
Career Opportunities
01Remote operation centre operator: Supervising and controlling autonomous ships from shore.
02Autonomous systems engineer: Designing and integrating perception, decision and control.
03MASS regulatory specialist: Getting concepts of operations approved by administrations and class.
04Maritime cyber security lead: Protecting connected ships and control centres.
05Innovation project manager: Running autonomy pilots for shipowners and ports.
06Maritime digital transformation consultant: Strategic advice on autonomy.
Questions
Entry Requirements
The IMO code that regulates maritime autonomous surface ships. The programme studies it in detail, along with its links to SOLAS, COLREG and STCW.
It is not essential. The fundamentals of AI and systems are explained, while technical profiles can go further.
Yes. Remote operation needs people with seagoing experience, and the programme gives them the technology foundation.
Yes. We use simulations of navigation, perception and operation from a remote operation centre.
You design the complete concept of operations for an autonomous ship, ready to submit for approval.
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 Remote Operation of Autonomous Ships and the MASS Code 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 nautical science, naval architecture, electronics, telecommunications, computer science or robotics; or proven experience as a deck officer or with maritime systems. 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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