Apply now
Master'sNaval, Offshore & Sports Nautical Applications open

Master’s in Marine Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Engineering

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in marine hydrogen and fuel cell engineering: 12 modules covering fuel cell technologies, on-board storage, power system integration, hydrogen safety, regulations, risk analysis, port supply, ship design, hydrogen shipping and economics, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration1900 h
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
Enrol now View syllabus Ask an advisor
Virtual lab · try it before you enrol

Take the controls.

Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.

SIM · LIVE ●
Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Understand the applications of hydrogen in the maritime sector.

02

Select marine fuel cell technologies.

03

Design on-board hydrogen storage systems.

04

Integrate fuel cells and batteries into the power plant.

05

Assess the safety and risks of hydrogen installations.

06

Apply the regulatory framework and the alternative design procedure.

07

Analyse the economic and environmental feasibility of hydrogen ships.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Marine hydrogen systems engineers looking to deepen their expertise.
  • Electric propulsion engineers moving into fuel cell power plants.
  • Process safety specialists dealing with hydrogen installations.
  • Classification society surveyors who review hydrogen and fuel cell designs.
  • Zero-emission ship project managers leading newbuild or retrofit projects.
  • Maritime hydrogen consultants advising shipowners, ports and yards.
  • 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)
  • MSC.1/Circ.1647 (interim guidelines for the safety of ships using fuel cell power installations)
  • MSC.1/Circ.1455 (guidelines for the approval of alternatives and equivalents)
  • IGC Code (International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk)
  • IEC 62282-3-100:2019 (stationary fuel cell power systems, safety)
  • Regulation (EU) 2023/1805 FuelEU Maritime (EU rules on the greenhouse gas intensity of energy used on board ships)
  • DNV rules for fuel cell installations (classification requirements for fuel cell systems on ships)
  • ISO 14687:2019 (hydrogen fuel quality, product specification)
  • MATLAB/Simulink
  • DNV Phast
  • Ansys Fluent
  • Aspen HYSYS
Syllabus

12 modules · 1900 h

  1. 1.1Role of hydrogen in decarbonisation
  2. 1.2Properties relevant on board
  3. 1.3Compressed, liquid and carrier-based storage
  4. 1.4Fuel cells versus engines
  5. 1.5Pioneering maritime projects
  6. 1.6Applications in ferries and harbour craft
  7. 1.7Hydrogen carrier ships
  8. 1.8Costs and maturity
  9. 1.9Current regulatory barriers
  10. 1.10Case study: analysis of an existing hydrogen ferry
  1. 2.1Marinised PEM fuel cells
  2. 2.2Solid oxide fuel cells
  3. 2.3High-temperature fuel cells
  4. 2.4Fuel reforming
  5. 2.5Performance comparison
  6. 2.6Dynamic response to loads
  7. 2.7Degradation in the marine environment
  8. 2.8Certified fuel cell modules
  9. 2.9Integration with batteries
  10. 2.10Lab: PEM fuel cell model with variable load
  1. 3.1Compressed hydrogen tanks
  2. 3.2Cryogenic liquid hydrogen
  3. 3.3Metal hydride storage
  4. 3.4LOHC organic carriers
  5. 3.5Ammonia as a carrier
  6. 3.6Location on the ship
  7. 3.7Ventilation and relief
  8. 3.8Impact on stability and space
  9. 3.9On-board refuelling procedures
  10. 3.10Practical exercise: storage sizing for a ferry
  1. 4.1Hybrid fuel cell-battery architectures
  2. 4.2Power converters
  3. 4.3DC distribution
  4. 4.4Energy management
  5. 4.5Power system redundancy
  6. 4.6Start-up and shutdown
  7. 4.7Fuel cell thermal management
  8. 4.8Heat recovery
  9. 4.9System control
  10. 4.10Lab: energy management strategy in Simulink
  1. 5.1Flammability hazards
  2. 5.2Dispersion in enclosed spaces
  3. 5.3Leak detection
  4. 5.4Forced ventilation of spaces
  5. 5.5Hazardous area classification
  6. 5.6Design of fuel cell spaces
  7. 5.7Fire protection
  8. 5.8Consequence analysis
  9. 5.9Emergency response
  10. 5.10Case study: dispersion analysis in a fuel cell space
  1. 6.1IGF Code and alternative design
  2. 6.2MSC.1/Circ.1647 on fuel cells
  3. 6.3IMO guidelines for hydrogen
  4. 6.4DNV and LR classification rules
  5. 6.5Alternative design procedure
  6. 6.6Flag State approval
  7. 6.7IGC Code for transport
  8. 6.8IEC 62282 standards
  9. 6.9Crew training
  10. 6.10Practical exercise: alternative design dossier
  1. 7.1HAZID hazard identification
  2. 7.2HAZOP operability study
  3. 7.3Quantitative risk analysis
  4. 7.4Fault trees
  5. 7.5FMEA failure mode analysis
  6. 7.6Acceptance criteria
  7. 7.7Bunkering risks
  8. 7.8Documentation for class
  9. 7.9Residual risk management
  10. 7.10Workshop: HAZID of a fuel cell installation
  1. 8.1Production in port
  2. 8.2Refuelling by truck and by container swap
  3. 8.3Liquid hydrogen bunkering
  4. 8.4Terminal safety
  5. 8.5Port hydrogen networks
  6. 8.6Hydrogen valleys
  7. 8.7Coordination with authorities
  8. 8.8Infrastructure costs
  9. 8.9European supply cases
  10. 8.10Case study: refuelling infrastructure for a ferry line
  1. 9.1Shipowner requirements
  2. 9.2Ship operating profile
  3. 9.3Sizing of fuel cells and batteries
  4. 9.4General arrangement of the ship
  5. 9.5Weights and stability
  6. 9.6Tank integration
  7. 9.7Hydrogen auxiliary systems
  8. 9.8Ship cost
  9. 9.9Comparison with alternatives
  10. 9.10Practical exercise: preliminary design of a hydrogen catamaran
  1. 10.1Liquid hydrogen carriers
  2. 10.2Ammonia transport
  3. 10.3LOHC transport
  4. 10.4Cryogenic containment systems
  5. 10.5Boil-off and its management
  6. 10.6Export and import terminals
  7. 10.7International supply chains
  8. 10.8Transport regulations
  9. 10.9Comparative costs by carrier
  10. 10.10Case study: comparison of carriers for an export route
  1. 11.1Cost of green hydrogen
  2. 11.2Levelised cost of propulsion
  3. 11.3Life cycle of marine hydrogen
  4. 11.4FuelEU Regulation and RFNBO multipliers
  5. 11.5European project funding
  6. 11.6Supply contracts
  7. 11.7Project risks
  8. 11.8Adoption scenarios
  9. 11.9Feasibility indicators
  10. 11.10Workshop: levelised cost of a hydrogen ferry
  1. 12.1Definition of the application case
  2. 12.2Fuel cell technology selection
  3. 12.3Storage design
  4. 12.4Electrical system integration
  5. 12.5Safety analysis
  6. 12.6Regulatory approval route
  7. 12.7Economic analysis of the ship
  8. 12.8Life-cycle environmental assessment
  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 MATLAB/Simulink, DNV Phast, Ansys Fluent and Aspen HYSYS, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures: sizing a fuel cell and storage system for a ferry, hydrogen dispersion analysis in an enclosed space and an alternative design dossier for approval. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.

Standards covered: IGF Code, MSC.1/Circ.1647, MSC.1/Circ.1455, IGC Code, IEC 62282-3-100:2019, Regulation (EU) 2023/1805 FuelEU Maritime, DNV rules for fuel cell installations, ISO 14687:2019.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of the IGF Code, MSC.1/Circ.1647 and MSC.1/Circ.1455 applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:MATLAB/Simulink, DNV Phast, Ansys Fluent and Aspen HYSYS, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Master's Thesis with defence:A complete hydrogen fuel cell solution for a real vessel, from technology selection and storage design to safety, regulatory approval route 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.

Application case and technology
Define the vessel's operating profile and select the most suitable fuel cell technology.
Storage and power integration
Size the hydrogen storage and design the hybrid fuel cell-battery power system.
Safety and dispersion analysis
Carry out a HAZID and analyse hydrogen dispersion in the fuel cell spaces.
Approval and economics
Prepare the alternative design route for approval and calculate the levelised cost of the solution.
Master's Thesis
A complete hydrogen fuel cell solution for a real vessel, from technology selection and storage design to safety, regulatory approval route and economics, defended before a panel.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Marine Hydrogen Systems EngineerElectric Propulsion EngineerProcess Safety SpecialistClassification Society SurveyorZero-Emission Ship Project ManagerMaritime Hydrogen 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.

Apply now Scholarships
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 MATLAB/Simulink, DNV Phast, Ansys Fluent and Aspen HYSYS, 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.

Keep exploring

Related programmes

See all in Naval, Offshore & Sports Nautical
Master's9,970 $

Master’s in Regulation, Safety & Classification Engineering

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in maritime regulation, safety and classification engineering: 12 modules covering the IMO, SOLAS, MARPOL, load lines and stability, classification societies,…

1900 hOnlineNaval, Offshore & Sports Nautical
Master's7,730 $

Master’s in Marine Propulsion Systems Engineering

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in marine propulsion systems engineering. 12 modules covering propulsion plant architecture, marine diesel, dual-fuel and gas engines, shaft lines and…

1900 hOnlineNaval, Offshore & Sports Nautical
Master's6,610 $

Master’s in Marine Energy Engineering: Waves and Tides

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in marine energy engineering (wave and tidal): 12 modules covering the marine energy resource, wave and tidal current characterisation, wave…

1900 hOnlineNaval, Offshore & Sports Nautical
Master’s in Marine Hydrogen and Fuel Cell EngineeringEnrol
Related programmes

More in Naval, Offshore & Sports Nautical

Master’s in Shipyard Management and Shipbuilding EngineeringView programme →Master’s in On-Board Hotel Operations & Hospitality EngineeringView programme →Master’s in Racing Yacht and Foiling EngineeringView programme →Master’s in Superyacht Interior Design EngineeringView programme →Master’s in Regulation, Safety & Classification EngineeringView programme →Master’s in Propeller and Propulsor Optimisation EngineeringView programme →

All Naval, Offshore & Sports Nautical programmes → · How to apply · Fees & financing · Scholarships

Scroll to Top
SEIUM – Institute of Advanced Engineering
Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.