Marine Diesel Engines and Propulsion Systems

Marine diesel engines power the vast majority of the world's commercial fleet, from small offshore vessels to the largest ultra-large container ships. Understanding how these engines work — their thermodynamic cycles, fuel systems, cooling arrangements, turbocharging principles, and control systems — is fundamental for every engineer officer and for deck officers who must understand the engineering capabilities and limitations of their vessel. This programme covers the full spectrum of marine diesel propulsion: the thermodynamic theory of diesel combustion, the constructional differences between two-stroke crosshead engines (as used in large bulk carriers and tankers) and four-stroke trunk piston engines (as used in medium-speed propulsion and generators), fuel oil treatment and injection, cooling and lubrication systems, and the watch-keeping obligations under STCW and the ISM Code. The MarCert Marine Diesel Certificate provides documented engineering knowledge aligned with STCW Section A-III/1 officer of the watch (engineer) competencies. It is designed for engineer officers, technical superintendents, and deck officers who require a thorough understanding of propulsion engineering.