Apply now
CourseElectromobility, Batteries & Hydrogen Enrolment open

Remote Control of Autonomous Ships Course

Online 300-hour course in remote control of autonomous ships. 6 modules with COLREG 1972, SOLAS Chapter V and MATLAB and Simulink. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.

Duration300 h
ModeOnline
Start datesOctober / March
LocationEurope (Madrid)
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 programme. 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 levels of autonomy and the concept of MASS vessels.

02

Analyse on-board perception and sensor fusion systems.

03

Apply control and collision avoidance techniques in accordance with COLREG.

04

Design a remote control centre with ergonomic and redundancy criteria.

05

Assess risks and cybersecurity of remote operation.

06

Plan verification and validation testing of autonomous functions.

07

Develop a remote operation concept for a real vessel.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Remote control centre operator wishing to specialise in Remote Control of Autonomous Ships.
  • Autonomous systems engineer wishing to specialise in Remote Control of Autonomous Ships.
  • Marine perception specialist wishing to specialise in Remote Control of Autonomous Ships.
  • Functional safety analyst wishing to specialise in Remote Control of Autonomous Ships.
  • Ship control engineer wishing to specialise in Remote Control of Autonomous Ships.
  • Maritime innovation consultant wishing to specialise in Remote Control of Autonomous Ships.
  • Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter short-sea shipping companies.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • COLREG 1972
  • SINGLE CHAPTER V
  • IMO MSC.1/Circ.1604 on MASS Tests
  • IACS UR E26
  • IACS UR E27
  • DNV-CG-0264 Autonomous and Remotely Operated Ships
  • ISO 23860
  • IEC 62065
Syllabus

6 modules · 300 h

  1. 1.1Definition of an autonomous surface vessel
  2. 1.2IMO's four degrees of autonomy
  3. 1.3Crewed, remote and autonomous operation
  4. 1.4Architecture of a remotely controlled vessel
  5. 1.5Reference projects: Yara Birkeland and others
  6. 1.6Remote control centre (ROC)
  7. 1.7Human-machine function allocation
  8. 1.8Operational scenarios and ODD
  9. 1.9Current technological limitations
  10. 1.10Case study: analysis of a pilot project
  1. 2.1Radar, AIS and optical sensors
  2. 2.2Infrared cameras and marine LiDAR
  3. 2.3Sensor fusion and target tracking
  4. 2.4Object detection with computer vision
  5. 2.5Collision risk estimation
  6. 2.6Representation of the environment at the ROC
  7. 2.7Sensor degradation in poor visibility
  8. 2.8GNSS positioning integrity
  9. 2.9Backup against GNSS spoofing
  10. 2.10Laboratory: radar and AIS data fusion
  1. 3.1Manoeuvrability models
  2. 3.2Autopilot and track keeping
  3. 3.3Dynamic positioning control
  4. 3.4Collision avoidance in accordance with COLREG
  5. 3.5Harbour path planning
  6. 3.6Automatic berthing manoeuvres
  7. 3.7Minimum-risk states
  8. 3.8Transition between control modes
  9. 3.9Simulator and scale-model testing
  10. 3.10Practice: trajectory guidance in simulator
  1. 4.1Satellite, 4G/5G and radio links
  2. 4.2Latency and availability requirements
  3. 4.3Link redundancy
  4. 4.4Ergonomic design of the control station
  5. 4.5Operator workload and fatigue
  6. 4.6Management of multiple vessels per operator
  7. 4.7Control handover procedures
  8. 4.8Interface with VTS and authorities
  9. 4.9Recording and traceability of decisions
  10. 4.10Workshop: designing a remote control station
  1. 5.1Goal-based risk assessment
  2. 5.2HAZID and STPA analysis
  3. 5.3DNV class requirements for autonomy
  4. 5.4Cybersecurity according to IACS UR E26 and E27
  5. 5.5Loss-of-communications management
  6. 5.6Emergency response without crew
  7. 5.7Verification and validation testing
  8. 5.8Human factors in supervision
  9. 5.9Insurance and liability
  10. 5.10Case study: STPA analysis of a link loss
  1. 6.1Vessel and route definition
  2. 6.2Concept of operations and ODD
  3. 6.3Sensor and control architecture
  4. 6.4Redundant communications design
  5. 6.5Control centre organisation
  6. 6.6Risk analysis of the concept
  7. 6.7Test and validation plan
  8. 6.8Approval roadmap
  9. 6.9Report and presentation
  10. 6.10Final review with the tutor
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

Training is 100 % online on the SEIUM Institute campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine with work.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is MATLAB and Simulink, ROS 2, Kongsberg K-Sim, Python with OpenCV, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Trials are studied using real guidance procedures for an autonomous vessel in simulator, risk analysis of communication loss, and design of a remote control centre. Assessment is continuous per module plus the final integrating project.

Accredited laboratories(EN ISO/IEC 17025) with rotor test rig, EMC/Lightning pre-compliance, HIL/SIL, vibration/acoustics.
Evidence-oriented Master's Thesis:safety case, test plan, compliance dossier and operational limits.
Industry mentoring:lecturers with experience in training, , eVTOL/UAM and flight test.
Flexible format(hybrid/online), international cohorts and support from SEIUM Career Services.
Ethics and safety:safety-by-design approach, ciber-OT, DIH and compliance as pillars.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

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

Vessel and route definition

Understand levels of autonomy and the concept of MASS vessels.

Concept of operations and ODD

Analyse on-board perception and sensor fusion systems.

Sensor and control architecture

Apply control and collision avoidance techniques in accordance with COLREG.

Redundant communications design

Design a remote control centre with ergonomic and redundancy criteria.

Control centre organisation

Assess risks and cybersecurity of remote operation.

Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Remote control centre operatorAutonomous systems engineerMarine perception specialistFunctional safety analystShip control engineerMaritime innovation consultant
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • No prior qualification required.
  • Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
  • Sufficient level of Spanish to follow technical regulatory reading.

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 300 hours, spread over 3 to 5 months. That averages between 10 and 15 hours a week, compatible with a full-time job.

You will work with MATLAB and Simulink, ROS 2, Kongsberg K-Sim, Python with OpenCV. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.

An own diploma from SEIUM Institute upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. It is in-house training, not an official Ministry qualification.

Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area can be credited towards the higher programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.

Keep exploring

Related programmes

See all in Electromobility, Batteries & Hydrogen
Course299 $

International Law Course on the Use of Armoured Vehicles in Conflicts

Online 300-hour course in international law on the use of armoured vehicles in conflicts. 6 modules covering the Hague Regulations (1907), the Fourth Geneva Convention (1949,…

300 hOnlineDefense, Military Engineering & Land Systems
Course499 $

Charging infrastructure interoperability course

Charging Infrastructure Interoperability Course Explore the essential standards and technologies for the interconnection and compatibility of electric vehicle (EV) charging systems. It focuses on the implementation…

3 monthsHybridElectromobility, Batteries & Hydrogen
Course599 $

Course on the Design of Efficient Urban Intersections

The Efficient Urban Intersection Design Course explores advanced strategies for planning and constructing road intersections that optimize traffic flow, road safety, and urban mobility. It focuses…

3 monthsOnlineElectromobility, Batteries & Hydrogen
Remote Control of Autonomous Ships CourseEnrol
Related programmes

More in Naval, Offshore & Sports Nautical

Course in Ethics in Nerve Agent ResearchView programme →HVAC in Passenger Areas CourseView programme →Mechanical Injection Mixture Tuning CourseView programme →Course in Ethics in Procurement TransparencyView programme →Nuclear Licensing Course: Regulatory ProcessesView programme →Course in Multi-Hazard Risk Planning in CitiesView 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.