Master’s in Route Planning and Nautical Meteorology Engineering
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in route planning and nautical meteorology engineering: 12 modules covering marine meteorology, oceanography, numerical prediction models, ocean passage planning, weather routing, ship behaviour at sea, extreme weather, energy efficiency and meteorological data tools, with SOLAS Chapter V, Resolution A.893(21) and qtVlm, with an assigned technical tutor.
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.
What you will be able to do
Interpret marine meteorology and synoptic analysis.
Apply oceanography to navigation.
Use numerical models and GRIB files.
Plan ocean routes in line with regulations.
Optimise routes through weather routing.
Assess ship behaviour at sea and extreme weather phenomena.
Improve energy efficiency through route planning.
Who it's for
- Weather routers at routing companies and shipping lines.
- Navigation officers responsible for passage planning.
- Marine meteorologists working for weather services.
- Route and efficiency analysts at shipping companies.
- Racing navigators in offshore and coastal sailing.
- Maritime operations consultants.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter the shipping industry.
What you'll work with
- SOLAS Convention Chapter V (safety of navigation)
- Resolution A.893(21) (IMO guidelines for voyage planning)
- MSC.1/Circ.1228 (revised guidance to the master for avoiding dangerous situations in adverse weather and sea conditions)
- MARPOL Annex VI (prevention of air pollution from ships)
- International Convention on Load Lines 1966 (load line zones and freeboard)
- WMO-No. 558 (Manual on Marine Meteorological Services)
- qtVlm
- Expedition
- Python
- OpenCPN
- Copernicus Marine
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1Structure and composition of the atmosphere1.2Atmospheric pressure and pressure gradient1.3Geostrophic, gradient and surface wind1.4Humidity, stability and cloud formation1.5Air masses and fronts1.6Cyclogenesis and extratropical lows1.7Anticyclones and their influence on navigation1.8Local and regional winds of the Mediterranean1.9Beaufort scale and sea state1.10Case study: synoptic analysis of an Atlantic situation
2.1General ocean circulation2.2The Gulf Stream and boundary currents2.3Astronomical tides and tidal streams2.4Wave generation and propagation2.5Wind sea and swell2.6JONSWAP and Pierson-Moskowitz wave spectra2.7Sea ice and icebergs2.8Ocean–atmosphere interaction2.9El Niño and climate oscillations2.10Lab: current analysis with Copernicus Marine
3.1Fundamentals of numerical weather prediction3.2GFS and ECMWF IFS global models3.3HARMONIE-AROME and WRF regional models3.4WAVEWATCH III and WAM wave models3.5Ocean current models3.6The GRIB format and its decoding3.7Ensemble prediction and probabilities3.8Forecast verification3.9Forecast reliability and uncertainty3.10Practical: comparing models with GRIB files
4.1World-Wide Met-Ocean Information and Warning Service (WWMIWS)4.2AEMET bulletins for sea areas4.3NAVTEX and SafetyNET4.4Surface analysis and forecast charts4.5Visible and infrared satellite imagery4.6Wind scatterometry4.7Buoys and VOS ship observations4.8Gale and wave warnings4.9Reliable digital sources and applications4.10Workshop: interpreting a high-seas bulletin
5.1Principles of passage planning5.2Great circle and rhumb line navigation5.3Composite tracks and latitude limits5.4Climatological routes and pilot charts5.5Load line zone restrictions5.6Emission control areas (ECA)5.7Piracy risk areas5.8Voyage planning under Resolution A.893(21)5.9Appraisal, planning and execution stages5.10Case study: transatlantic route for a container ship
6.1Fundamentals of weather routing6.2The isochrone method6.3Dynamic programming and genetic algorithms6.4Performance curves and speed loss6.5Routing of merchant ships6.6Routing of sailing yachts with polars6.7Optimisation of time, fuel consumption and safety6.8Commercial routing services6.9Post-voyage route validation6.10Lab: routing a sailing yacht with qtVlm
7.1Ship motions in six degrees of freedom7.2Transfer functions and response in waves7.3Parametric rolling in container ships7.4Slamming and green water7.5Involuntary speed loss7.6Safety criteria in heavy weather7.7MSC.1/Circ.1228 guidance for avoiding dangerous situations7.8Operability and comfort criteria7.9Cargo lashing and accelerations7.10Practical: polar operability diagram
8.1Tropical cyclones and their structure8.2Navigation rules for cyclones8.3Explosive extratropical storms8.4Extreme waves and rogue waves8.5Advection and radiation fog8.6Icing in high latitudes8.7Convective storms and waterspouts8.8Medicanes in the Mediterranean8.9Weather-related accidents8.10Workshop: hurricane avoidance manoeuvre
9.1Meteorology for coastal regattas9.2Thermal sea breezes and their diurnal evolution9.3Coastal and orographic effects9.4Wind shifts and oscillations9.5Wind-based strategy9.6Microclimates of racecourses9.7Onboard meteorological instrumentation9.8Reading the water and the clouds9.9High-resolution forecasts for regattas9.10Case study: regatta strategy in the Bay of Palma
10.1Fuel savings through routing10.2Speed optimisation and slow steaming10.3Just-in-time arrival in port10.4Impact of the route on the CII indicator10.5Emissions and the EU Emissions Trading System10.6Charter costs and speed clauses10.7Performance data for routing10.8Real cases of savings at shipping companies10.9Wind assistance and routing10.10Practical: comparing routes by emissions
11.1Professional and open-source routing software11.2Weather APIs and data services11.3Python for meteorology with xarray11.4Visualisation of meteorological fields11.5Climate databases11.6Copernicus ERA5 reanalysis11.7Integration of forecasts into ECDIS11.8Cloud services for meteorology11.9Automation of voyage reports11.10Lab: route climatology with ERA5
12.1Definition of the route and the ship12.2Collection of meteorological and ocean data12.3Climate analysis of the route12.4Passage planning12.5Optimised weather routing12.6Safety and operability assessment12.7Fuel consumption and emissions analysis12.8Conclusions and route recommendations12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within the intake, so it is compatible with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is qtVlm, Expedition, Python, OpenCPN and Copernicus Marine, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures for weather routing of passages, climate analysis of ocean routes and voyage planning in line with SOLAS. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: SOLAS Convention Chapter V, Resolution A.893(21), MSC.1/Circ.1228, MARPOL Annex VI, International Convention on Load Lines 1966, WMO-No. 558.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- A university degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
- An 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.
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 qtVlm, Expedition, Python, OpenCPN and Copernicus Marine, 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 programme's 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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