Overview
The Certificate in Autonomous Ships and Dual-Purpose Officers follows the real, smooth transition taking place in shipping: from fully crewed operations, to ships supported by automation and decision-support (MASS Degree I), to hybrid remote control with seafarers on board (Degree II), to reduced-crewing strategies supported by dual-purpose officers, and onward to unmanned remote operations (Degree III) and full autonomy (Degree IV).

The programme combines practical operations and systems knowledge—bridge instruments, navigation and communication architecture, collision-avoidance principles, and emergency response scenarios (fire, flooding, propulsion/engine failure)—with the regulatory and competency context shaping the sector. Alongside MASS, it explains how dual-purpose officer pathways align with STCW and how different national models approach combined deck-and-engine competence, preparing learners to understand and support the changing workforce and operating models of next-generation shipping.

Objectives
By the end of this certificate, participants will be able to:

• Understand conventional shipping operations (company departments and terminology) as the foundation for the transition to automated, remote, and autonomous ships.

• Explain the IMO MASS framework as a progressive pathway from Degree I → Degree II → Degree III → Degree IV (and the current discussion around Degree V).

• Describe how bridge instruments, onboard automation, and decision-support systems enable the first stage of autonomy (Degree I) while ships remain crewed.

• Explain how operations evolve into hybrid models (Degree II) where remote control is introduced while seafarers remain on board.

• Describe the system and operational requirements for unmanned remote operations (Degree III), including navigation/communications, collision avoidance practice, and contingency planning for emergencies.

• Discuss what changes at full autonomy (Degree IV) and identify cross-cutting challenges that must be managed across all degrees.

• Explain how dual-purpose officers support reduced-crewing strategies as part of the transition, and map this to STCW routes and national certification models.