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Master'sNaval, Offshore & Sports Nautical Applications open

Master’s in Ship Refit, Conversion and Retrofit Engineering

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in ship refit, conversion and retrofit engineering: 12 modules covering condition assessment, conversion engineering, ballast and emissions treatment, efficiency and propulsion retrofits, yacht and passenger refits, dry-docking planning, regulation and refit 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

Assess the technical condition of existing ships.

02

Design conversions and structural modifications.

03

Integrate ballast water and emissions treatment systems.

04

Apply energy-efficiency and propulsion retrofits.

05

Plan and budget refit projects.

06

Manage the regulatory requirements of modified ships.

07

Analyse the economic viability of a refit versus a newbuilding.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Ship repair engineers in repair yards and dry docks.
  • Refit project managers who plan dry-dockings and coordinate subcontractors.
  • Technical superintendents at shipping companies.
  • Conversion engineers working on lengthenings, FPSOs and fuel conversions.
  • Class surveyors dealing with modified and existing ships.
  • Superyacht project managers.
  • Engineering or science graduates aiming to join the ship repair sector.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • SOLAS 74 and amendments (safety of life at sea)
  • BWM Convention 2004 (ballast water management)
  • MARPOL Annex VI (air pollution from ships)
  • NOx Technical Code 2008 (engine NOx emissions)
  • IACS Rec. 47 (ship repair quality standard)
  • Hong Kong Convention 2009 (safe and environmentally sound ship recycling)
  • Regulation (EU) No 1257/2013 (ship recycling)
  • REG Yacht Code (large yachts)
  • AVEVA Marine
  • NAPA
  • Rhinoceros 3D
  • Primavera P6
  • Autodesk ReCap
Syllabus

12 modules · 1900 h

  1. 1.1Differences between refit, conversion and retrofit
  2. 1.2The ship repair market
  3. 1.3Repair yards and their capabilities
  4. 1.4Regulatory and commercial drivers
  5. 1.5Conversion of tankers to FPSOs
  6. 1.6Ship lengthening
  7. 1.7Superyacht refit
  8. 1.8Environmental retrofit of existing ships
  9. 1.9Dry-docking cycle and special surveys
  10. 1.10Case study: feasibility analysis of a lengthening
  1. 2.1Hull and structural inspection
  2. 2.2Thickness measurement and wastage
  3. 2.33D laser scanning and photogrammetry
  4. 2.4Machinery inspection
  5. 2.5Document and class records review
  6. 2.6Testing of existing materials
  7. 2.7Assessment of current stability
  8. 2.8Estimating residual life
  9. 2.9Condition report
  10. 2.10Practical exercise: thickness measurement plan
  1. 3.1Requirements of the new service
  2. 3.2Changes to the general arrangement
  3. 3.3Design of structural modifications
  4. 3.4Longitudinal strength calculations
  5. 3.5Stability after conversion
  6. 3.6Freeboard and load lines
  7. 3.7Subdivision requirements
  8. 3.8Integration of new systems
  9. 3.9Approval by the classification society
  10. 3.10Workshop: stability study after a lengthening
  1. 4.1The BWM Convention and ballast water treatment
  2. 4.2UV, electrochlorination and filtration systems
  3. 4.3Integrating a BWTS on board
  4. 4.4Open-loop, closed-loop and hybrid scrubbers
  5. 4.5MARPOL Annex VI sulphur requirements
  6. 4.6SCR systems for NOx Tier III
  7. 4.7Sewage treatment
  8. 4.8Validation and commissioning
  9. 4.9Compliance testing
  10. 4.10Case study: integrating a BWTS on a bulk carrier
  1. 5.1Energy-saving devices
  2. 5.2Propeller and bulbous bow replacement
  3. 5.3Waste heat recovery systems
  4. 5.4Wind-assisted propulsion
  5. 5.5Battery hybridisation
  6. 5.6Shore power (cold ironing)
  7. 5.7Conversion to LNG or methanol
  8. 5.8Ready-for preparation for new fuels
  9. 5.9Return on investment analysis
  10. 5.10Practical exercise: assessing a Flettner rotor retrofit
  1. 6.1Interior renovation
  2. 6.2SOLAS rules for passenger ships
  3. 6.3Fire safety in refit
  4. 6.4Accessibility and accommodation
  5. 6.5Refit of HVAC systems
  6. 6.6Superyacht refit and the LY3 code
  7. 6.7Topcoat painting and fairing
  8. 6.8Quality and luxury finishes
  9. 6.9Managing owners and designers
  10. 6.10Case study: refit of a ro-pax ferry
  1. 7.1Cutting and inserting blocks
  2. 7.2Replacement of corroded steel
  3. 7.3Reinforcements and local modifications
  4. 7.4Main engine replacement
  5. 7.5Modification of shaft lines
  6. 7.6Shaft alignment
  7. 7.7Vibrations after modifications
  8. 7.8Afloat repairs
  9. 7.9Repair welding
  10. 7.10Workshop: procedure for replacing an auxiliary engine
  1. 8.1Repair specification
  2. 8.2Item-by-item budgeting
  3. 8.3Managing additional work
  4. 8.4Dry-docking planning
  5. 8.5Subcontractor coordination
  6. 8.6Critical path in dock
  7. 8.7Schedule risk management
  8. 8.8Owner's supervision
  9. 8.9Close-out and invoicing
  10. 8.10Practical exercise: schedule for a 30-day dry-docking
  1. 9.1Upgrading switchboards
  2. 9.2Cabling in existing ships
  3. 9.3Integrated automation systems
  4. 9.4Replacement of navigation equipment
  5. 9.5Communication systems
  6. 9.6Cybersecurity after retrofit
  7. 9.7Obsolescence management
  8. 9.8Integration testing
  9. 9.9As-built system documentation
  10. 9.10Case study: modernising a navigation bridge
  1. 10.1Requirements for existing ships
  2. 10.2Major modifications under SOLAS
  3. 10.3Change of flag and class
  4. 10.4Certificates after conversion
  5. 10.5Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM)
  6. 10.6The Hong Kong Convention
  7. 10.7Port State Control inspections
  8. 10.8Exemptions and equivalents
  9. 10.9Technical documentation of the file
  10. 10.10Workshop: list of certificates after a conversion
  1. 11.1Refit versus newbuilding comparison
  2. 11.2Market value of the ship
  3. 11.3Life extension
  4. 11.4Off-hire costs
  5. 11.5Financing retrofits
  6. 11.6Avoided carbon footprint
  7. 11.7Recycling of removed materials
  8. 11.8Impact of the EU ETS
  9. 11.9Investment decisions
  10. 11.10Case study: economic analysis of a methanol conversion
  1. 12.1Selection of the ship and scope
  2. 12.2Assessment of the initial condition
  3. 12.3Engineering of the modification
  4. 12.4Project plan and budget
  5. 12.5Regulatory analysis of the modification
  6. 12.6Economic assessment of the proposal
  7. 12.7Technical conclusions and future work
  8. 12.8Review with the thesis supervisor
  9. 12.9Master's Thesis report
  10. 12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

The programme is delivered 100% online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable materials, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, making it compatible with work.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is AVEVA Marine, NAPA, Rhinoceros 3D, Primavera P6 and Autodesk ReCap, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures: assessing the condition of an existing ship, engineering a structural conversion and integrating ballast water treatment systems. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.

Standards covered: SOLAS 74 and amendments, BWM Convention 2004, MARPOL Annex VI, NOx Technical Code 2008, IACS Rec. 47, Hong Kong Convention 2009, Regulation (EU) No 1257/2013 and REG Yacht Code.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of SOLAS 74, the BWM Convention 2004, MARPOL Annex VI and the Hong Kong Convention applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:AVEVA Marine, NAPA, Rhinoceros 3D, Primavera P6 and Autodesk ReCap, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Master's Thesis with defence:a refit or conversion project for a real ship covering condition assessment, modification engineering, project plan and budget and regulatory and economic analysis, 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.

Condition assessment
Plan thickness measurements and write the condition report of an existing ship.
Conversion engineering
Check stability and longitudinal strength after a ship lengthening.
Treatment system integration
Integrate a ballast water treatment system on a bulk carrier.
Dry-docking schedule
Plan a 30-day dry-docking with its critical path and subcontractors.
Master's Thesis
A complete refit or conversion project with economic assessment, defended before a panel.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Ship repair engineerRefit project managerTechnical superintendentConversion engineerClass surveyorSuperyacht project manager
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 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 AVEVA Marine, NAPA, Rhinoceros 3D, Primavera P6 and Autodesk ReCap, 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 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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