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Master'sNaval, Offshore & Sports Nautical Applications open

Master’s in Alternative Fuels Engineering

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in alternative fuels engineering: 12 modules covering LNG and biomethane, methanol, ammonia, marine biofuels, e-fuels and hydrogen, life-cycle analysis, safety regulations, bunkering, retrofitting and fuel economics, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration1900 h
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Compare the properties and maturity of alternative marine fuels.

02

Assess the use of LNG, methanol, ammonia and biofuels.

03

Analyse the e-fuel and hydrogen supply chain.

04

Calculate well-to-wake emissions.

05

Apply technical and safety regulations for fuels.

06

Plan bunkering operations and conversions of existing ships.

07

Evaluate fuel strategies in economic terms.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Marine fuels engineers broadening their knowledge of new fuels.
  • Fleet energy transition managers planning the move away from conventional fuels.
  • Fuel safety specialists working with low-flashpoint and toxic fuels.
  • Conversion project engineers handling retrofits of existing ships.
  • Fuel market analysts who need a solid technical grounding.
  • Maritime decarbonisation consultants advising shipowners and ports.
  • Engineering or science graduates looking to enter the shipping industry.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • IGF Code (International Code of Safety for Ships using Gases or other Low-flashpoint Fuels)
  • Regulation (EU) 2023/1805 FuelEU Maritime (EU rules on the greenhouse gas intensity of energy used on board ships)
  • MSC.1/Circ.1621 (interim guidelines for ships using methyl/ethyl alcohol as fuel)
  • MSC.1/Circ.1687 (interim guidelines for ships using ammonia as fuel)
  • Resolution MEPC.376(80) (IMO guidelines on life-cycle GHG intensity of marine fuels)
  • ISO 8217:2024 (specifications of marine fuels)
  • ISO 20519:2021 (specification for LNG bunkering)
  • IGC Code (International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk)
  • DNV Phast
  • Aspen HYSYS
  • GREET
  • MATLAB
Syllabus

12 modules · 1900 h

  1. 1.1Classification of alternative fuels
  2. 1.2Fossil-based fuels, biofuels and e-fuels
  3. 1.3Supply chains
  4. 1.4Energy density and volume
  5. 1.5Technology readiness by fuel
  6. 1.6Global availability of supply
  7. 1.7Production costs
  8. 1.8Support policies
  9. 1.9Sector roadmaps
  10. 1.10Case study: comparison of five fuels for a container ship
  1. 2.1Properties of LNG
  2. 2.2Type C and membrane tanks
  3. 2.3Fuel gas supply systems
  4. 2.4Methane slip
  5. 2.5Liquefied biomethane as an alternative
  6. 2.6Renewable synthetic LNG
  7. 2.7LNG bunkering
  8. 2.8ISO 20519 standards
  9. 2.9LNG safety
  10. 2.10Lab: boil-off balance of a Type C tank
  1. 3.1Grey, bio- and e-methanol production
  2. 3.2Properties and toxicity
  3. 3.3Methanol engines
  4. 3.4On-board storage
  5. 3.5Inerting systems
  6. 3.6IMO interim guidelines
  7. 3.7Methanol bunkering
  8. 3.8Container ship cases
  9. 3.9Fire risks
  10. 3.10Practical exercise: methanol tank arrangement
  1. 4.1Green and blue ammonia production
  2. 4.2Toxicity and hazards
  3. 4.3Ammonia engines
  4. 4.4N₂O and NOx emissions
  5. 4.5Refrigerated and pressurised storage
  6. 4.6Leak detection
  7. 4.7IMO guidelines
  8. 4.8Ammonia bunkering
  9. 4.9Crew training
  10. 4.10Case study: risk analysis of an ammonia-fuelled ship
  1. 5.1FAME biodiesel in engines
  2. 5.2HVO and hydrotreated oils
  3. 5.3Pyrolysis bio-oils
  4. 5.4Engine compatibility
  5. 5.5Stability and storage
  6. 5.6Sustainability criteria
  7. 5.7ISCC sustainability certification
  8. 5.8Blends with fossil fuels
  9. 5.9ISO 8217 standard
  10. 5.10Practical exercise: verification of a biofuel batch
  1. 6.1Electrolysis and the cost of hydrogen
  2. 6.2E-methanol and e-ammonia
  3. 6.3E-diesel via Fischer-Tropsch
  4. 6.4Compressed and liquid hydrogen
  5. 6.5CO₂ capture for synthesis
  6. 6.6Chain efficiency
  7. 6.7RFNBO fuel criteria
  8. 6.8Future availability of e-fuels
  9. 6.9Industrial projects under way
  10. 6.10Workshop: levelised cost of an e-fuel
  1. 7.1Well-to-wake
  2. 7.2IMO LCA guidelines
  3. 7.3Emission factors
  4. 7.4FuelEU Maritime methodology
  5. 7.5Methane and N₂O emissions
  6. 7.6Indirect land-use change
  7. 7.7Sustainability certification
  8. 7.8Uncertainties in the factors
  9. 7.9Fuel comparison
  10. 7.10Lab: GHG intensity calculation under FuelEU
  1. 8.1IGF Code requirements
  2. 8.2IGC Code requirements
  3. 8.3Interim guidelines for methanol
  4. 8.4Interim guidelines for ammonia
  5. 8.5Classification rules
  6. 8.6HAZID risk analysis
  7. 8.7Hazardous area classification
  8. 8.8STCW crew training
  9. 8.9Readiness notations
  10. 8.10Practical exercise: HAZID of a fuel supply system
  1. 9.1Bunkering modes
  2. 9.2Bunker vessels
  3. 9.3Safety procedures
  4. 9.4Exclusion zones
  5. 9.5Port safety requirements
  6. 9.6Infrastructure in European ports
  7. 9.7Green shipping corridors
  8. 9.8Quantity and quality certification
  9. 9.9Coordination with authorities
  10. 9.10Case study: methanol bunkering procedure
  1. 10.1Readiness for alternative fuels
  2. 10.2Engine conversion
  3. 10.3Space for tanks
  4. 10.4Stability and weight
  5. 10.5Conversion costs
  6. 10.6Downtime
  7. 10.7Classification after conversion
  8. 10.8Real conversion experiences
  9. 10.9Fleet strategy
  10. 10.10Workshop: methanol conversion study
  1. 11.1Alternative fuel prices
  2. 11.2Emission costs
  3. 11.3FuelEU Maritime penalties
  4. 11.4Pooling mechanisms
  5. 11.5Supply contracts
  6. 11.6Technology risk of the choice
  7. 11.7Financing of newbuilds
  8. 11.8Scenarios to 2050
  9. 11.9Investment decision
  10. 11.10Practical exercise: total cost of ownership analysis
  1. 12.1Definition of the ship and route
  2. 12.2Regulatory requirements of the route
  3. 12.3Fuel assessment
  4. 12.4Life-cycle analysis
  5. 12.5Fuel system design
  6. 12.6Safety analysis
  7. 12.7Economic analysis of fuels
  8. 12.8Fuel recommendation
  9. 12.9Master's Thesis report
  10. 12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within the intake, so you can combine it with your job.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is DNV Phast, Aspen HYSYS, GREET and MATLAB, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures: comparative assessment of alternative fuels for a ship, greenhouse gas intensity calculation under FuelEU and risk analysis of the fuel system. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.

Standards covered: IGF Code, Regulation (EU) 2023/1805 FuelEU Maritime, MSC.1/Circ.1621, MSC.1/Circ.1687, Resolution MEPC.376(80), ISO 8217:2024, ISO 20519:2021, IGC Code.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of the IGF Code, FuelEU Maritime (Regulation (EU) 2023/1805) and MSC.1/Circ.1621 applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:DNV Phast, Aspen HYSYS, GREET and MATLAB, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Master's Thesis with defence:A fuel selection study for a specific ship and route, covering regulation, life-cycle analysis, fuel system design, safety and economics, defended before a panel.
Flexible format:100% online, no fixed timetables, compatible with full-time work.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Ship and route definition
Define the vessel and its route and identify the regulatory requirements that apply.
Fuel assessment
Compare candidate fuels on availability, maturity, cost and on-board integration.
Well-to-wake GHG calculation
Calculate the GHG intensity of each option following the FuelEU Maritime methodology.
Fuel system and HAZID
Design the fuel supply system and carry out a HAZID of its main hazards.
Master's Thesis
A fuel selection study for a specific ship and route, covering regulation, life-cycle analysis, fuel system design, safety and economics, defended before a panel.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Marine Fuels EngineerFleet Energy Transition ManagerFuel Safety SpecialistConversion Project EngineerFuel Market AnalystMaritime Decarbonisation Consultant
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • University degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
  • Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
  • English sufficient to read technical standards.

Ready to start?

Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme totals 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.

You work with DNV Phast, Aspen HYSYS, GREET and MATLAB, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.

A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the Master's Thesis. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.

Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.

A university degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), a computer able to run the software and English sufficient to read technical standards.

Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.

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