Environmental Management for Ports and Terminals Training Course

Duration 10 days 16 modules · 65 contact hours
Level Intermediate Certificate on completion
Who attends Port Environmental Manager, Terminal Manager and others
Fee from USD 2,200 KSh 190,000 for Kenyan organisations
Where 52 cities + online See dates by city
Next start 16 Nov 2026 Course code SD-EM-125

Before you join: Participants should have working experience in port, terminal, shipping, logistics, marine operations, engineering, HSE, facilities or regulatory roles.

Dates & prices

Two start dates a month in every city, and live online on weekdays or weekends. Fees are per participant; classroom fees include tuition, materials, lunch and refreshments, and the certificate.

Suggest a date or city

Showing the next six months. Later dates, other cities and private deliveries for your team are available on request.

Course overview

Ports and maritime terminals manage environmental risks that can interrupt operations, trigger enforcement action, damage community relationships and increase clean-up costs. Cargo handling, vessel calls, dredging, bunkering, maintenance, waste reception, stormwater discharge and construction all create distinct obligations and control requirements. Environmental managers must translate legal conditions, permit limits and international maritime rules into workable procedures for operators, contractors and tenants.

This course develops the practical skills required to establish, operate and improve an environmental management system for a port or terminal. Participants examine environmental aspects and impacts, legal registers, MARPOL waste controls, air emissions, spill prevention, water quality, dredging, biodiversity, hazardous materials and environmental incident response. They use ISO 14001 methods to define controls, set objectives, manage compliance evidence, audit performance and address nonconformities.

Teaching combines focused instructor briefings with port and terminal cases, group analysis, incident simulations and structured application planning. Participants work with realistic operating scenarios such as an oily-water discharge allegation, dust complaints from bulk cargo handling, a berth expansion near sensitive habitat and repeated stormwater permit exceedances. They leave with a port or terminal environmental management plan, supported by registers, inspection tools, monitoring arrangements and an improvement action plan that can be adapted to their own facility.

The course is suited to personnel with operational, safety, engineering, compliance or sustainability responsibilities at ports, terminals, shipping agencies, logistics operators and maritime regulators. It is particularly useful where several tenants, contractors and public authorities share environmental responsibilities within one port estate.

What you will be able to do

  • Identify significant port and terminal environmental aspects using an aspects-and-impacts register
  • Interpret MARPOL, permit and national legal requirements for terminal environmental controls
  • Develop ISO 14001 environmental objectives, operational controls and documented procedures
  • Prepare spill prevention and environmental emergency response arrangements for marine incidents
  • Design monitoring programmes for air emissions, water quality, waste and noise
  • Conduct environmental inspections and internal audits using evidence-based checklists
  • Investigate environmental incidents using root-cause analysis and corrective action methods
  • Produce and present a site-specific port or terminal environmental management plan

Benefits of attending

For you

  • Ability to build a usable environmental aspects-and-impacts register for port operations
  • Confidence interpreting environmental permit conditions and MARPOL-related operating duties
  • Practical inspection and audit techniques for terminals, tenants and contractors
  • Structured approach to investigating spills, complaints and monitoring exceedances
  • A completed environmental management plan adaptable to the participant’s facility

For your organisation

  • Clearer environmental controls for cargo handling, vessel services, drainage and waste reception
  • Better evidence of permit compliance during regulator inspections and customer audits
  • Reduced likelihood and consequence of spills, illegal discharges and uncontrolled emissions
  • Consistent environmental expectations for tenants, contractors and port service providers
  • Prioritised improvement actions linked to material risks, monitoring results and legal duties

Course modules

16 modules over 10 days

Participants can explain how environmental responsibilities are allocated across a port or terminal.

  • Port authority, terminal operator and tenant environmental responsibilities mapped
  • Environmental risk sources across vessel, cargo, maintenance and infrastructure activities
  • Duty-holder accountability within leases, concessions and service agreements
  • Environmental management system structure aligned with ISO 14001 clauses
  • Interfaces between environmental, safety, security and quality management systems
  • Stakeholder expectations from regulators, communities, customers and insurers

Participants can build a legal and permit compliance register for a terminal.

  • Legal register entries linked to applicable activities and control measures
  • Permit conditions translated into routine operating and monitoring requirements
  • MARPOL Annex I controls for oily residues and bilge waste
  • MARPOL Annex V requirements for garbage reception and segregation
  • Ballast water, antifouling and ship-generated waste regulatory interfaces
  • Compliance evidence retained for inspections, renewals and enforcement enquiries

Participants can evaluate significant environmental aspects using a documented assessment method.

  • Activity inventory covering normal, abnormal and emergency operating conditions
  • Aspect-impact pathways identified for air, water, land and biodiversity
  • Significance criteria combining severity, frequency, legal exposure and stakeholder concern
  • Lifecycle perspective applied to procurement, contractors and waste destinations
  • Environmental aspects register scored using a defined risk matrix
  • Significant aspects converted into controls, objectives and monitoring priorities

Participants can specify pollution prevention controls for vessel-terminal interfaces.

  • Berth operating procedures controlling hose connections, drains and scupper plugs
  • Bunkering checklists addressing communication, containment and emergency shutdowns
  • Ship-to-shore transfer controls for fuels, chemicals and liquid cargoes
  • Reception facility procedures for oily waste, sewage and garbage
  • MARPOL waste documentation checked before acceptance and onward disposal
  • Berth inspections targeting leaks, residues, unsecured containers and drain protection

Participants can control air-quality impacts from cargo and equipment operations.

  • Emission source inventory covering ships, vehicles, equipment and cargo operations
  • Fugitive dust controls for bulk loading, unloading, stockpiles and conveyors
  • Visible-emissions observations recorded using standard inspection protocols
  • Equipment maintenance schedules linked to diesel exhaust emission reduction
  • Vessel idling and shore-power considerations for berth emission management
  • Dust complaint investigations using weather data, operations records and observations

Participants can establish controls and monitoring for terminal drainage and discharges.

  • Drainage plans distinguish clean water, process water and contaminated runoff
  • Outfall inventories connected to permits, sampling points and responsible owners
  • Stormwater pollution prevention plans address loading areas and maintenance yards
  • Oil-water separators inspected, maintained and documented against manufacturer requirements
  • Sampling plans specify parameters, frequencies, preservation and chain-of-custody procedures
  • Exceedance response links laboratory results to containment, investigation and reporting

Participants can design compliant waste segregation, storage and disposal arrangements.

  • Waste streams classified by source, hazard characteristics and disposal route
  • Segregation systems prevent incompatible wastes entering shared storage areas
  • Waste storage inspections assess labelling, containment, access and housekeeping
  • Manifest and consignment records verify authorised transport and final disposal
  • Ship waste reception capacity matched to vessel calls and turnaround demands
  • Waste minimisation targets developed for packaging, residues and maintenance materials

Participants can manage hazardous materials and identify contaminated-land risks at terminals.

  • Chemical inventories reconciled with safety data sheets and storage locations
  • Secondary containment sized for credible releases and rainfall allowances
  • Compatibility assessments separate acids, oxidisers, fuels and reactive substances
  • Historical land uses reviewed for contamination and legacy infrastructure risks
  • Soil and groundwater investigation plans define conceptual site models
  • Excavation controls manage suspect soils, dewatering and off-site disposal

Participants can plan environmental controls for dredging and terminal development works.

  • Dredging environmental assessments define sediment, turbidity and habitat risks
  • Sediment sampling plans establish contaminant profiles and disposal options
  • Turbidity monitoring triggers linked to work suspension and corrective measures
  • Construction environmental management plans control runoff, noise and waste
  • Contractor method statements reviewed against permit conditions and sensitive receptors
  • Environmental hold points incorporated into marine construction work programmes

Participants can manage ecological, noise and community impacts from port operations.

  • Sensitive receptor maps identify habitats, fisheries, residences and cultural sites
  • Biodiversity action measures address lighting, vessel movement and habitat disturbance
  • Noise monitoring locations selected using source-path-receptor assessment methods
  • Community complaint logs capture time, location, allegation and response actions
  • Stakeholder engagement plans define disclosure, consultation and grievance channels
  • Cumulative impacts assessed for port expansion and adjacent industrial development

Participants can prepare environmental response arrangements for marine and land-based spills.

  • Spill risk scenarios ranked by material, location, pathway and consequence
  • Tiered response plans define resources, notifications and command responsibilities
  • Boom deployment strategies selected for berths, outfalls and sensitive shorelines
  • Initial incident actions prioritise source control, containment and responder safety
  • Environmental sensitivity maps support protection priorities during marine releases
  • Post-spill waste management addresses recovered product, debris and contaminated absorbents

Participants can design defensible monitoring programmes and evaluate environmental data.

  • Monitoring objectives linked to permits, risks, objectives and stakeholder commitments
  • Sampling and analysis plans define methods, laboratories and quality controls
  • Calibration records maintained for field meters, monitors and automated sensors
  • Data validation checks assess completeness, detection limits and anomalous results
  • Trend charts distinguish operational variation from deteriorating environmental performance
  • Monitoring dashboards report indicators, exceedances, actions and responsible owners

Participants can translate significant aspects into measurable objectives and operating controls.

  • Environmental objectives written with baselines, targets, owners and deadlines
  • Operational control procedures specify critical steps and acceptance criteria
  • Control plans assign inspection frequencies, records and escalation thresholds
  • Tenant environmental rules incorporated into induction and lease-management processes
  • Contractor environmental plans reviewed before mobilisation and high-risk work
  • Management of change assesses environmental effects before operational modifications

Participants can conduct environmental inspections and internal audits against defined criteria.

  • Inspection checklists focus on observable controls, records and physical conditions
  • Audit plans define scope, criteria, sampling and independent auditor responsibilities
  • Interview techniques test whether procedures are understood and consistently followed
  • Objective evidence gathered from observations, documents, interviews and monitoring records
  • Nonconformities classified by severity, legal exposure and recurring control failure
  • Audit reports distinguish findings, corrective actions and improvement opportunities

Participants can investigate environmental events and manage corrective action to closure.

  • Incident classification separates spills, exceedances, complaints and near misses
  • Five Whys and fishbone analysis identify underlying control failures
  • Evidence preservation includes photographs, samples, logs and witness accounts
  • Regulatory notification decisions assessed against permits and reporting thresholds
  • Corrective action plans assign owners, due dates and effectiveness measures
  • Management review inputs combine incidents, audits, objectives and compliance status

Participants can build, review and present a complete environmental management plan for a port or terminal.

  • Facility profile defines activities, boundaries, tenants and environmental receptors
  • Aspects register prioritises significant risks using documented scoring criteria
  • Legal compliance register connects obligations with evidence and responsible owners
  • Operational controls cover vessel services, cargoes, drainage, waste and contractors
  • Monitoring, audit and incident arrangements form an integrated assurance programme
  • Improvement plan sequences actions, resources, milestones and management-review measures

Exercises and examples are adapted to each cohort's sectors and roles.

What you take back to work

  1. Port and terminal environmental aspects-and-impacts register template
  2. Environmental legal and permit compliance register
  3. MARPOL waste reception and vessel-interface checklist
  4. Stormwater and marine water-quality monitoring plan
  5. Environmental inspection and internal audit checklist
  6. Port terminal environmental management plan

Who should attend

  • Port Environmental Manager — responsible for site-wide compliance, monitoring and improvement programmes
  • Terminal Manager — accountable for environmental controls within cargo and vessel operations
  • HSE Manager — integrating environmental risks with existing safety management arrangements
  • Marine Operations Superintendent — managing berth, vessel interface and bunkering environmental risks
  • Engineering or Maintenance Manager — controlling emissions, drainage, hazardous materials and project impacts
  • Port Authority Regulator or Inspector — reviewing operator compliance and environmental evidence

Skills and tools covered

Environmental aspects assessmentMarine pollution controlISO 14001 implementationEnvironmental compliance auditingSpill response planningEnvironmental performance reporting

Tools and standards

ISO 14001, MARPOL, Five Whys, Fishbone diagram

How the course runs

Training methodology

The course uses short technical briefings followed by port and terminal case work. Participants analyse permits, incident records, drainage plans, waste data and monitoring results drawn from realistic maritime operations. Group exercises apply ISO 14001 tools, develop control measures and test emergency decisions under time pressure. Simulations address spill escalation, regulator engagement and contractor failures. Each participant progressively develops site-relevant management documents, with instructor feedback and peer review. The final session is devoted to presenting and reviewing an integrated environmental management plan.

Requirements and prerequisites

Participants should have working experience in port, terminal, shipping, logistics, marine operations, engineering, HSE, facilities or regulatory roles. They should be familiar with their site’s main activities, such as cargo handling, vessel calls, maintenance, bunkering, warehousing or construction. Basic awareness of environmental responsibilities is helpful, but prior ISO 14001 auditor training is not required. The course does not assume scientific qualifications, legal training or prior experience with marine sampling. Participants will benefit from bringing non-confidential examples of permits, procedures or recurring environmental issues.

A typical training day

08:30 – 10:30First session
10:30 – 10:45Refreshment break
10:45 – 12:30Second session
12:30 – 13:30Lunch and networking
13:30 – 15:00Third session
15:00 – 15:15Refreshment break
15:15 – 16:30Workshop and daily review

Live online deliveries follow the same structure in East Africa Time, with shorter screen blocks and longer breaks.

What the fee includes

  • Instruction by a practitioner facilitator
  • Full course workbook and materials
  • Exercise files, templates and case studies
  • Refreshments and lunch on classroom deliveries
  • Certificate of completion
  • Post-course application plan

Frequently asked questions

Participants should have practical familiarity with port, terminal, marine, logistics, engineering, HSE or compliance work. Prior environmental auditor certification, legal qualifications and scientific training are not required.

Participants may bring non-confidential copies of site permits, environmental procedures, drainage drawings, monitoring results or recurring incident records. These materials help them adapt the course tools to their own operations.

It is designed for environmental managers, terminal managers, HSE personnel, marine operations staff, engineers and port authority inspectors. It also suits personnel taking on environmental responsibilities within a port estate or terminal.

The course applies management-system methods to maritime and terminal activities such as bunkering, vessel waste, berth operations, dredging, stormwater and cargo dust. ISO 14001 is used as a working structure, rather than treated as a generic standard alone.

Participants leave with a site-adaptable environmental management plan and supporting registers, checklists and monitoring tools. These can be used to improve routine controls, prepare for inspections or address known permit and operational gaps.

Each training day runs from 08:30 to 16:30 and provides about 6.5 contact hours. The first week establishes legal, operational and pollution-control foundations; the second week develops assurance methods and completes the capstone plan.

Questions about this course?

Ask about dates, fees, group bookings or running it for your team. Our training team replies by email.

Ask on WhatsApp info@skillsetdevelopment.com

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