Marine Cargo Management Training Course

Duration 10 days 20 modules · 65 contact hours
Level Intermediate Certificate on completion
Who attends Marine Cargo Coordinators, Shipping and Logistics Managers 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-MP-023

Before you join: Participants should have basic familiarity with international shipping, logistics, procurement, trade operations or port activities.

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

Marine cargo moves through a chain of commercial contracts, port interfaces, vessels, terminals, insurers, surveyors and regulators. A shipment can fail through incorrect cargo descriptions, unsuitable packaging, unsafe stowage, missed documentary deadlines, temperature excursions, port delays, claims errors or weak handovers between parties. Marine cargo professionals must control these risks while protecting cargo condition, contractual rights, safety and delivery commitments.

This course develops the operational and commercial skills required to plan, manage and review ocean cargo movements. Participants examine cargo characteristics, container and breakbulk operations, chartering interfaces, Incoterms 2020, bills of lading, cargo insurance, dangerous goods controls, port documentation, stowage principles, claims handling and performance management. They learn to identify liability exposures, prepare cargo movement plans, specify handling controls and respond to incidents using structured evidence and escalation procedures.

Teaching combines focused instructor briefings with maritime cases, document reviews, group analysis, cargo-planning simulations and application planning. Cases reflect containerised consumer goods, project cargo, refrigerated cargo, bulk commodities and hazardous materials. Participants progressively build a marine cargo management pack containing shipment controls, documentation requirements, risk assessments, incident procedures and performance measures. The final capstone requires participants to present and defend a complete cargo movement plan for a realistic shipment scenario.

The course suits professionals responsible for cargo movements, freight procurement, logistics operations, port interfaces, trade compliance, insurance coordination or supply-chain risk. It is particularly relevant where cargo values are high, delivery windows are contractual, multiple service providers are involved or cargo requires specialised handling.

What you will be able to do

  • Plan ocean cargo movements using cargo profiles, routing criteria and handling controls
  • Apply Incoterms 2020 to allocate transport obligations, costs and risk transfer
  • Prepare and review bills of lading, shipping instructions and cargo documentation
  • Assess cargo risks using structured risk registers, control measures and escalation thresholds
  • Specify container, breakbulk, refrigerated and dangerous goods handling requirements
  • Manage marine cargo insurance notifications, survey evidence and claims documentation
  • Measure carrier, terminal and freight forwarder performance using operational KPIs
  • Present a complete marine cargo management plan for a defined shipment

Benefits of attending

For you

  • Make defensible cargo-routing and handling decisions using documented criteria
  • Review shipping documents before errors create delays, liability disputes or rejected claims
  • Communicate more effectively with carriers, terminals, surveyors, brokers and freight forwarders
  • Build credible evidence files for cargo incidents, insurance notifications and recovery actions
  • Prepare for broader responsibilities in shipping, freight management or port operations

For your organisation

  • Fewer cargo delays caused by incomplete instructions, document errors and poor handovers
  • Lower exposure to cargo damage through better packing, stowage and monitoring controls
  • Stronger recovery of insured losses through timely notification and evidence preservation
  • Clearer accountability across procurement, logistics, forwarders, terminals and receiving sites
  • Improved carrier and service-provider performance through defined operational measures

Course modules

20 modules over 10 days

Participants can map the parties, decisions and control points in an ocean cargo movement.

  • Ocean cargo flow from purchase order through final delivery confirmation
  • Shipper, consignee, carrier and forwarder responsibilities within transport chains
  • Terminal, stevedore, surveyor and insurer roles during cargo handling
  • Physical, documentary, commercial and regulatory risks affecting cargo movements
  • Cargo movement milestones, decision gates and escalation trigger points
  • Control-tower reporting lines for multi-party international shipment coordination

Participants can create a cargo profile that determines handling, routing and documentation needs.

  • Cargo profiles covering dimensions, weight, value, sensitivity and handling constraints
  • General, bulk, breakbulk and unitised cargo operating characteristics
  • High-value cargo security requirements and custody-transfer control points
  • Perishable cargo shelf-life calculations and temperature-control parameters
  • Project cargo lift plans, transport geometry and route feasibility
  • Commodity-specific risks recorded within a shipment planning data sheet

Participants can select ocean transport services against cost, transit, capacity and risk criteria.

  • Liner shipping services, port rotations and published sailing schedules
  • Tramp shipping characteristics for bulk, breakbulk and project cargo
  • Freight rate components, surcharges and accessorial cost structures
  • Carrier selection scorecards using reliability, capacity, claims and coverage criteria
  • Transit-time analysis including transshipment, port congestion and cut-off exposure
  • Service-level requirements translated into freight forwarder operating instructions

Participants can apply Incoterms 2020 rules to define transport responsibilities and risk transfer.

  • Incoterms 2020 purpose, scope and limitations within sale contracts
  • EXW, FCA, FOB and CIF obligations for ocean cargo transactions
  • CPT, CIP, DAP, DPU and DDP responsibility allocations
  • Risk-transfer points matched against physical custody and insurance arrangements
  • Named-place precision when drafting Incoterms 2020 contract clauses
  • Common Incoterms errors causing uninsured exposures and disputed freight costs

Participants can review carriage terms and bills of lading for operational and liability implications.

  • Bill of lading functions as receipt, contract evidence and title document
  • Straight, order and sea waybills selected for transaction requirements
  • Clean and claused bills of lading implications for payment
  • Hague-Visby Rules carrier obligations, defences and limitation provisions
  • Carrier terms and conditions reviewed before booking cargo space
  • Letter of indemnity risks when cargo documentation is inaccurate

Participants can prepare accurate shipping instructions and validate a shipment document pack.

  • Shipping instructions aligned with booking confirmations and cargo particulars
  • Commercial invoices, packing lists and certificates checked for consistency
  • Shipper's letter of instruction controls for forwarder-managed export movements
  • Document cut-off calendars linked to vessel departure and banking deadlines
  • Document discrepancy logs assigning owners, corrections and closure dates
  • Electronic bill of lading controls, access rights and release procedures

Participants can plan containerised shipments using equipment, packing and terminal control requirements.

  • Container types matched to cargo dimensions, density and protection needs
  • Payload limits, gross mass and container weight distribution principles
  • Verified Gross Mass requirements under SOLAS container shipment rules
  • Container inspection criteria covering structural damage, cleanliness and odours
  • Cargo securing methods using dunnage, bracing, lashing and blocking
  • Container terminal cut-offs for gates, documentation and hazardous declarations

Participants can specify planning controls for breakbulk, heavy-lift and project cargo movements.

  • Breakbulk cargo characteristics requiring individual handling and stowage planning
  • Lift plans defining centre of gravity, lifting points and rigging
  • Heavy-lift vessel selection based on crane capacity and deck strength
  • Route surveys identifying bridge clearances, berth limits and access constraints
  • Method statements for loading, sea fastening and discharge operations
  • Marine warranty surveyor roles for high-risk project cargo movements

Participants can identify quality, quantity and safety controls for bulk cargo shipments.

  • Dry bulk cargo properties affecting loading rates and stowage
  • Moisture limits and Transportable Moisture Limit documentation requirements
  • Draft surveys used to estimate loaded or discharged cargo quantities
  • Sampling protocols for commodity quality verification and dispute prevention
  • Cargo segregation plans preventing contamination between incompatible commodities
  • Terminal stockpile controls covering moisture, contamination and inventory reconciliation

Participants can establish temperature-control plans for refrigerated marine cargo movements.

  • Reefer container pre-trip inspections before cargo stuffing authorisation
  • Set-point, supply-air and return-air readings interpreted during transit
  • Cold-chain handovers documented at packhouse, terminal and destination facilities
  • Temperature data logger placement, calibration and evidence retrieval procedures
  • Controlled-atmosphere settings selected for commodity-specific preservation requirements
  • Temperature excursion response plans including notification and cargo disposition

Participants can plan dangerous goods shipments using IMDG Code classification and documentation controls.

  • IMDG Code classes, divisions and packing group classifications
  • Dangerous goods declarations completed from safety data sheet information
  • UN numbers, proper shipping names and technical names verified
  • Segregation tables applied to incompatible dangerous goods within containers
  • Limited quantities, excepted quantities and special provisions considered
  • Emergency response information provided for ship, terminal and receiving personnel

Participants can coordinate cargo handovers across port, terminal and vessel operating interfaces.

  • Port call sequence from berth planning through cargo completion
  • Terminal operating systems and status messages used for cargo visibility
  • Gate-in, receiving, loading and discharge milestones reconciled daily
  • Berth windows, port congestion and labour disruption contingency planning
  • Ship-shore safety meetings addressing cargo-specific operational hazards
  • Statement of facts reviewed for delay analysis and demurrage evidence

Participants can assess stowage plans and cargo-securing controls against shipment risks.

  • Stowage factors used to calculate cargo volume and vessel capacity
  • Stowage plans reviewed for accessibility, segregation and discharge sequence
  • Cargo Securing Manual principles applied to unitised cargo arrangements
  • Lashing calculations considered for containerised and wheeled cargo
  • Ventilation, sweat and condensation risks controlled during sea passage
  • Condition surveys documenting pre-shipment damage and packing deficiencies

Participants can align marine cargo insurance cover with shipment values, terms and exposures.

  • Institute Cargo Clauses A, B and C coverage differences
  • Insurable interest, declared value and sum insured calculations
  • General average principles and security requirements after maritime casualties
  • Policy exclusions reviewed for packing, delay, inherent vice and war
  • Insurance certificates matched to Incoterms obligations and letter requirements
  • Claims notification timeframes recorded within shipment incident procedures

Participants can manage cargo incidents through evidence preservation, notification and claim preparation.

  • Incident triage distinguishing damage, shortage, delay and contamination events
  • Joint surveys arranged with carriers, terminals and insurance representatives
  • Evidence packs containing photographs, seals, records and witness statements
  • Letter of protest issued without prejudicing contractual recovery rights
  • Mitigation actions documented to reduce loss severity and disposal costs
  • Subrogation files prepared for insurer recovery against responsible parties

Participants can implement security controls for cargo theft, tampering and unauthorised access risks.

  • Cargo theft risk assessments based on route, commodity and custody
  • High-security seals selected, recorded and verified at handover points
  • Chain-of-custody logs supporting security investigations and insurance claims
  • ISPS Code security interfaces affecting port and vessel access
  • Tamper indicators, geofencing and tracking alerts used for exceptions
  • Security incident escalation protocols linking operations, security and insurers

Participants can coordinate cargo movements with customs, sanctions and regulatory control requirements.

  • Customs declarations matched against commercial invoices and packing data
  • HS classification effects on duties, licences and documentary requirements
  • Export-control screening for restricted destinations, parties and goods
  • Sanctions checks incorporated into booking and payment approval workflows
  • Advance cargo information requirements managed before vessel loading deadlines
  • Regulatory holds escalated through documented exception-management procedures

Participants can build risk registers and contingency actions for marine cargo disruptions.

  • Bow-tie analysis linking cargo threats, controls and recovery measures
  • Risk registers scoring likelihood, consequence, control effectiveness and ownership
  • Contingency routes assessed for capacity, cost, transit and regulatory impacts
  • Port closure, weather and strike response decision thresholds
  • Business continuity actions for cargo diversion, storage and customer communication
  • Escalation matrices defining authority levels and notification timeframes

Participants can measure cargo performance and identify cost, service and control improvements.

  • On-time shipment, dwell time and damage-rate performance indicators
  • Freight invoice audits checking contracted rates, surcharges and accessorials
  • Demurrage and detention root-cause analysis using event timelines
  • Carrier scorecards combining schedule reliability, claims and documentation accuracy
  • Total landed cost models incorporating freight, duties, insurance and delays
  • Corrective action registers tracking owners, due dates and verification

Participants can build, review and present a complete marine cargo management plan for a defined shipment.

  • Cargo profile defining commodity, value, condition and handling requirements
  • Routing decision supported by carrier, port and transit-risk analysis
  • Incoterms, carriage terms and insurance arrangements checked for alignment
  • Documentation matrix assigning preparation, review and submission responsibilities
  • Risk register integrating safety, security, delay and claims controls
  • Performance dashboard specifying milestones, exceptions and service-provider measures

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

What you take back to work

  1. Marine cargo movement plan template
  2. Shipment documentation control matrix
  3. Cargo risk register and escalation matrix
  4. Container and specialised cargo inspection checklist
  5. Marine cargo incident and claims evidence pack
  6. Carrier and terminal performance dashboard

Who should attend

  • Marine Cargo Coordinators — manage shipment execution, documentation and service-provider handovers
  • Shipping and Logistics Managers — control freight movements, costs, risks and delivery performance
  • Freight Forwarding Professionals — improve cargo planning and carrier-facing operational decisions
  • Port and Terminal Operations Staff — coordinate cargo receipt, handling, storage and vessel interfaces
  • Trade Compliance and Procurement Officers — align transport contracts with commercial and regulatory obligations
  • Insurance and Claims Personnel — assess cargo-loss evidence, policy responses and recovery actions

Skills and tools covered

Cargo movement planningShipping documentation controlMarine cargo insuranceStowage risk assessmentPort operations coordinationCargo claims management

Tools and standards

Incoterms 2020, IMDG Code, Hague-Visby Rules, Institute Cargo Clauses

How the course runs

Training methodology

The course uses short technical briefings followed by document reviews, cargo-planning cases, group exercises and operational simulations. Participants assess shipment scenarios involving containers, project cargo, refrigerated goods, bulk cargo and dangerous goods. They examine bills of lading, packing lists, insurance clauses, stowage plans, incident reports and port records. Facilitated discussions compare shipper, carrier, terminal, insurer and consignee responsibilities. Application planning helps participants adapt templates and controls to their own cargo flows, contracts and service-provider arrangements.

Requirements and prerequisites

Participants should have basic familiarity with international shipping, logistics, procurement, trade operations or port activities. Experience coordinating shipments, reviewing commercial documents, working with freight forwarders or managing suppliers is useful. Participants should understand common business terms such as invoice, purchase order, delivery date and freight cost. Prior maritime qualifications, seafaring experience, legal training and technical knowledge of vessel construction are not required. The course explains specialist cargo, insurance and shipping terminology before applying it to operational cases.

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 understand basic logistics, trade operations, procurement or port processes. Prior seafaring experience, maritime legal qualifications and technical vessel knowledge are not required.

Participants may bring anonymised shipping instructions, carrier scorecards, incident reports or freight documents from their work. Course materials provide the case data and templates needed for classroom activities.

It is designed for professionals who plan, coordinate, procure, insure or supervise ocean cargo movements. It also suits staff working at freight forwarders, terminals, importers, exporters and project logistics providers.

This course concentrates on cargo as the managed object: its condition, documentation, liability, insurance, security and delivery performance. It addresses vessel and port interfaces where they affect cargo decisions rather than training ship navigation or terminal engineering.

Participants leave with reusable planning, risk, documentation, claims and performance-management templates. These can be adapted for recurring import, export, project cargo, reefer or hazardous cargo movements.

Each training day runs from 08:30 to 16:30 and provides about 6.5 contact hours. The first week establishes cargo planning, documentation and handling controls; the second week focuses on insurance, claims, security, risk, performance and the final capstone.

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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