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CourseCivil, Rail & Smart Cities Applications open

The Future of Autonomous Ports Course

Online 300 h course on the future of Autonomous Ports. 6 modules covering the IMO SOLAS Convention, IMO Circular MSC.1/Circ.1604, interim guidelines for MASS trials and AnyLogic. Assigned tutor and enrolment open.

Duration300 h
ModeOnline
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute certificate
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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Understand the levels and technologies of port automation.

02

Evaluate autonomous terminal equipment and its functional safety.

03

Analyse the status of autonomous ships and their regulation.

04

Apply data, AI and digital twins to port operations.

05

Manage the labour and social transition of automation.

06

Assess the economics of automation projects.

07

Develop a roadmap towards the autonomous port.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Port automation engineer who wants to specialise in The Future of Autonomous Ports.
  • Port innovation manager who wants to specialise in The Future of Autonomous Ports.
  • Smart ports consultant who wants to specialise in The Future of Autonomous Ports.
  • Autonomous systems specialist who wants to specialise in The Future of Autonomous Ports.
  • Maritime data analyst who wants to specialise in The Future of Autonomous Ports.
  • Terminal transformation manager who wants to specialise in The Future of Autonomous Ports.
  • Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter port terminals.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • IMO SOLAS Convention
  • IMO Circular MSC.1/Circ.1604, interim guidelines for MASS trials
  • Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 on machinery
  • ISO 13849-1, safety of machinery: safety-related parts of control systems
  • IEC 61508, functional safety
  • ISA/IEC 62443, security for industrial automation and control systems
  • Regulation (EU) 2024/1689, on Artificial Intelligence
  • Directive (EU) 2022/2555, NIS 2
Syllabus

6 modules · 300 h

  1. 1.1Evolution towards the autonomous port
  2. 1.2Levels of automation
  3. 1.3Automated terminals around the world
  4. 1.4Decision factors
  5. 1.5Impact on productivity
  6. 1.6Labour impact of automation
  7. 1.7Investment costs
  8. 1.8Technological and integration risks
  9. 1.9Port 5.0 vision
  10. 1.10Case study: comparison of automated terminals
  1. 2.1Automated yard cranes
  2. 2.2Automated guided vehicles and autonomous straddle carriers
  3. 2.3Remotely operated STS cranes
  4. 2.4Navigation and positioning systems
  5. 2.5Autonomous fleet management
  6. 2.6Functional safety of autonomous equipment
  7. 2.7Equipment interchange with trucks
  8. 2.8Maintenance and availability
  9. 2.9Electrification of equipment
  10. 2.10Workshop: automated guided vehicle fleet simulation
  1. 3.1Autonomous maritime surface vessels
  2. 3.2IMO levels of autonomy
  3. 3.3MASS Code under development
  4. 3.4Remote pilotage and towage
  5. 3.5Automatic mooring systems
  6. 3.6Sensor-assisted berthing
  7. 3.7Remote control centres
  8. 3.8Ship-to-shore communications
  9. 3.9Legal liability in autonomous navigation
  10. 3.10Practice: analysis of an autonomous ship pilot project
  1. 4.1Port data platforms
  2. 4.2Computer vision and recognition
  3. 4.3AI-driven planning optimisation
  4. 4.4Port digital twins
  5. 4.5Just-in-time arrivals
  6. 4.65G connectivity in terminals
  7. 4.7Edge computing on port equipment
  8. 4.8Cyber security of autonomous systems
  9. 4.9Ethics of AI
  10. 4.10Laboratory: predictive arrivals model using AIS data
  1. 5.1Regulation of automation
  2. 5.2Collective bargaining and employment
  3. 5.3Workforce reskilling
  4. 5.4Social acceptance of automation
  5. 5.5Concession models
  6. 5.6Interoperability standards
  7. 5.7Impact assessment
  8. 5.8Future scenarios for port employment
  9. 5.9Institutional roadmap
  10. 5.10Case study: labour transition in a terminal
  1. 6.1Port selection
  2. 6.2Maturity assessment
  3. 6.3Vision and objectives
  4. 6.4Port technology architecture
  5. 6.5Equipment automation plan
  6. 6.6Labour transition plan
  7. 6.7Economic and risk analysis
  8. 6.8Roadmap towards autonomy
  9. 6.9Report and presentation
  10. 6.10Final review with the tutor
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

Fully 100 % online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetable: students progress at their own pace within the intake, making it easy to combine with work.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is AnyLogic, Navis N4, Python with scikit-learn, MarineTraffic, ROS, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real simulation procedures for autonomous terminal equipment, assessment of automation maturity, and analysis of autonomous ship pilot projects. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final integrating project.

Accreditable laboratories(EN ISO/IEC 17025) with rotor test rig, EMC/Lightning pre-compliance, HIL/SIL, vibration/acoustics.
Evidence-oriented final project:safety case, test plan, compliance dossier and operational limits.
Industry mentoring:lecturers with careers 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, OT cyber security, DIH and compliance as core pillars.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

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

Port selection

Understand the levels and technologies of port automation.

Maturity assessment

Evaluate autonomous terminal equipment and its functional safety.

Vision and objectives

Analyse the status of autonomous ships and their regulation.

Port technology architecture

Apply data, AI and digital twins to port operations.

Equipment automation plan

Manage the labour and social transition of automation.

Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Port automation engineerPort innovation managerSmart ports consultantAutonomous systems specialistMaritime data analystTerminal transformation manager
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

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

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 300 hours spread over 3 to 5 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.

You work with AnyLogic, Navis N4, Python with scikit-learn, MarineTraffic, ROS. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the open-source alternative where one exists.

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

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

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