Port Logistics and Shipping Management Training Course

Duration 10 days 17 modules · 65 contact hours
Level Intermediate Certificate on completion
Who attends Port Operations Supervisors, 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-025

Before you join: Participants should have basic familiarity with international freight movement, supply-chain operations, import-export administration, port operations or shipping coordination.

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 shipping networks depend on tightly coordinated vessel calls, cargo flows, terminal capacity, documentation and inland transport. Delays at berth, inaccurate cargo declarations, poor handovers between agents and terminals, and weak control of demurrage or detention can quickly increase cost and disrupt customers. Professionals need to understand how shipping lines, port authorities, terminal operators, freight forwarders, customs agencies and cargo owners work together.

This course examines the operational and commercial management of containerised, bulk, breakbulk and project cargo through ports. Participants learn to plan vessel calls, interpret shipping documents, manage port interfaces, calculate key performance indicators, control cargo risk and apply relevant maritime security, safety and dangerous-goods requirements. The programme also covers liner shipping economics, freight rate structures, terminal operations, hinterland planning, customs processes and disruption response.

Teaching combines concise instructor briefings with port-call cases, shipping documentation reviews, group planning tasks, operational simulations and structured application planning. Participants progressively build a port logistics management pack using realistic cargo, vessel, terminal and inland transport data. They leave with reusable planning templates, performance measures, risk controls and a completed end-to-end port logistics plan that can be adapted to their own operation.

The course is designed for professionals responsible for shipping, freight forwarding, port operations, cargo movement, procurement, trade logistics or supply-chain coordination. It is particularly relevant to organisations moving high-value, time-sensitive, regulated or project cargo through international ports.

What you will be able to do

  • Plan vessel calls using berth windows, port-call milestones and stakeholder responsibilities
  • Interpret bills of lading, manifests, delivery orders and shipping instructions
  • Apply Incoterms 2020 to allocate transport cost, risk and documentary responsibilities
  • Assess terminal productivity using berth, yard, gate and cargo-handling KPIs
  • Control demurrage, detention and port charges through contract and event analysis
  • Prepare dangerous-goods and verified gross mass documentation for compliant shipment handling
  • Develop disruption response plans for congestion, weather, equipment failure and customs holds
  • Present an integrated port logistics management plan for a defined cargo movement

Benefits of attending

For you

  • Plan vessel and cargo movements with clearer operational control
  • Identify documentation errors before they delay release or loading
  • Discuss terminal performance and carrier charges using recognised metrics
  • Strengthen capability for port, shipping and trade-logistics roles
  • Present practical disruption responses to managers, carriers and customers

For your organisation

  • Reduced avoidable demurrage, detention, storage and port-charge exposure
  • More reliable vessel, terminal, customs and inland transport handovers
  • Improved cargo visibility through defined milestones and escalation rules
  • Stronger compliance with dangerous-goods, mass-verification and security requirements
  • Better terminal and carrier performance discussions supported by operational data

Course modules

17 modules over 10 days

Participants can map the actors, flows and commercial relationships governing a port logistics movement.

  • Shipping lines, terminals, agents and cargo interests mapped by responsibility
  • Container, bulk, breakbulk and project cargo operating characteristics compared
  • Port authority, landlord and service-port governance models distinguished
  • Physical, information and financial flows traced through a port call
  • Hub-and-spoke networks and transhipment economics explained using service patterns
  • Hinterland corridors linked to port capacity, cost and customer service

Participants can assess shipping service options against cargo, route, cost and reliability requirements.

  • Liner, tramp and charter shipping models compared for cargo demand
  • Service strings assessed through port rotation, frequency and transit time
  • Carrier selection matrix built from capacity, reliability and commercial criteria
  • Freight all kinds, surcharges and local charges interpreted correctly
  • Slot agreements and vessel-sharing arrangements explained through network economics
  • Booking acceptance risks assessed against equipment and space availability

Participants can assign transport responsibilities and risk transfer using Incoterms 2020 rules.

  • Incoterms 2020 rules matched to containerised and conventional cargo movements
  • Risk transfer points identified for FOB, CIF, FCA and DAP
  • Cost allocation schedule prepared between seller, buyer and carrier
  • Named place precision tested against terminal, depot and delivery location
  • Sales contracts reviewed for conflicts with transport and insurance arrangements
  • Letters of credit aligned with shipment dates and documentary requirements

Participants can prepare and check core shipping documents for accurate cargo release and delivery.

  • Shipping instructions checked against booking, cargo and consignee details
  • Bill of lading functions distinguished as receipt, contract and title
  • Sea waybills and original bills selected for release requirements
  • Cargo manifests reconciled with commercial invoices and packing lists
  • Delivery orders controlled through consignee authority and release status
  • Document discrepancy log established with owner, deadline and corrective action

Participants can create a port-call plan with milestones, responsibilities and escalation points.

  • Port-call process mapped from pre-arrival notice to vessel departure
  • Estimated arrival, berth window and estimated departure milestones controlled
  • Statement of facts used to record operational time and events
  • Agency checklist covers crew, bunkers, stores and statutory clearances
  • Stakeholder RACI assigns terminal, pilot, tug and agent actions
  • Escalation triggers defined for late arrival, berth conflict and delay

Participants can analyse container terminal processes and identify operational bottlenecks.

  • Quay, yard and gate processes linked through container status changes
  • Ship-to-shore crane productivity measured using gross and net moves
  • Yard planning considers dwell time, rehandles and stack density
  • Gate appointment systems assessed for truck turnaround performance
  • Empty container repositioning managed through depot and carrier coordination
  • Reefer monitoring requirements incorporated into terminal handling controls

Participants can plan handling requirements for non-containerised and out-of-gauge cargo.

  • Stowage factors applied to bulk cargo volume and vessel capacity
  • Laytime, notice of readiness and demurrage concepts interpreted accurately
  • Breakbulk cargo plans specify lifting points, dunnage and segregation
  • Project cargo route surveys identify dimensional, bridge and berth constraints
  • Heavy-lift plans coordinate crane capacity, rigging and exclusion zones
  • Cargo condition surveys establish evidence before loading and discharge

Participants can apply core compliance controls for dangerous goods, cargo mass and port security.

  • IMDG Code classifications checked against dangerous-goods declaration requirements
  • Segregation tables applied to incompatible substances during stowage planning
  • SOLAS verified gross mass methods selected and documented correctly
  • Container packing certificates reviewed for declarations, placards and seals
  • ISPS Code access controls linked to terminal and vessel interfaces
  • Incident reporting preserves facts, notifications and immediate containment actions

Participants can coordinate port and customs processes to reduce cargo clearance delays.

  • Customs declaration data matched to invoices, packing lists and manifests
  • HS classification responsibilities and supporting evidence assigned clearly
  • Temporary admission, transit and bonded movement options compared
  • Customs hold workflow establishes document checks and escalation ownership
  • Authorised Economic Operator concepts linked to supply-chain control measures
  • Sanctions screening and restricted-party checks embedded before shipment release

Participants can plan inland cargo movements that align with port release, capacity and delivery commitments.

  • Truck, rail, barge and feeder options compared by service constraints
  • Intermodal handover plan defines custody, status and documentation points
  • Container free-time calendar tracks pickup, return and delivery deadlines
  • Rail cut-off times integrated with terminal availability and vessel schedules
  • Last-mile delivery slots coordinated with consignee readiness and equipment
  • Empty return strategy reduces detention exposure and unnecessary repositioning

Participants can analyse shipping and port costs and identify charge-control actions.

  • Freight quotation analysed across base rate, surcharges and local fees
  • Terminal handling charges distinguished from carrier and port authority charges
  • Demurrage and detention invoices validated against events and free time
  • Port disbursement account reviewed for agency, towage and pilotage costs
  • Cost-to-serve model allocates transport, handling and exception expenditure
  • Charge dispute file assembled with documents, timestamps and contractual references

Participants can design KPIs and service reviews for port logistics performance.

  • Berth productivity calculated using moves, hours and crane deployment
  • Vessel turnaround time separated into waiting, berth and departure components
  • Container dwell time segmented by import, export and transhipment status
  • On-time departure performance measured against published service schedules
  • Exception dashboard tracks holds, rolled cargo and missed connections
  • Service-level review links KPI trends to corrective action owners

Participants can identify cargo risks, preserve evidence and coordinate an initial claim response.

  • Cargo risk register scores damage, delay, theft and temperature exposure
  • Marine cargo insurance clauses matched to voyage and commodity risks
  • Survey appointment process protects evidence following loss or damage
  • Claims file compiles notices, photographs, invoices and survey reports
  • General average concept explained through shared maritime loss allocation
  • Chain-of-custody records support liability assessment across handling parties

Participants can develop operational recovery actions for common port logistics disruptions.

  • Congestion indicators monitored through berth delays, dwell and gate queues
  • Weather disruption plan sets thresholds, notifications and recovery priorities
  • Rolled cargo response identifies alternative sailings, routings and customer actions
  • Equipment failure contingencies allocate substitute capacity and revised sequences
  • Customs intervention escalation coordinates broker, consignee and document correction
  • Business continuity playbook prioritises safety, cargo integrity and service restoration

Participants can specify useful data controls and digital interfaces for port logistics visibility.

  • Terminal operating systems explained through vessel, yard and gate functions
  • Port community systems coordinate declarations, releases and stakeholder messages
  • EDI message types linked to bookings, manifests and status updates
  • Data ownership matrix assigns accuracy, timing and correction responsibilities
  • Milestone tracking model defines planned, actual and exception event fields
  • Cybersecurity controls protect shipping documents, access credentials and operational data

Participants can structure performance management and improvement actions with logistics partners.

  • Carrier and terminal scorecards combine cost, reliability and damage metrics
  • Quarterly business review agenda addresses trends, actions and accountability
  • Root cause analysis uses five whys and fishbone diagrams
  • Corrective action register records owner, due date and verification evidence
  • Service recovery commitments defined for delay, damage and documentation failure
  • Improvement priorities ranked through impact, effort and implementation risk

Participants can build, review and present a complete port logistics management plan for a defined cargo movement.

  • Cargo movement scope defines route, volume, service and commercial assumptions
  • Port-call schedule integrates booking, cut-off, berth and delivery milestones
  • Document control plan assigns checks, owners and release deadlines
  • Terminal and hinterland plan balances capacity, equipment and handovers
  • Risk register connects disruption scenarios to recovery actions and communications
  • KPI dashboard and cost controls support management review decisions

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

What you take back to work

  1. Port-call planning template
  2. Shipping document control checklist
  3. Incoterms responsibility matrix
  4. Terminal performance KPI dashboard
  5. Cargo disruption response playbook
  6. Integrated port logistics management plan

Who should attend

  • Port Operations Supervisors — responsible for vessel, berth, yard or gate coordination
  • Shipping and Logistics Managers — accountable for reliable international cargo movement
  • Freight Forwarders — managing carrier bookings, documentation and customer handovers
  • Terminal and Depot Personnel — improving cargo handling, equipment use and turnaround
  • Procurement and Supply Chain Managers — controlling transport cost, service and risk
  • Import-Export Coordinators — preparing compliant shipments and resolving clearance delays

Skills and tools covered

Port-call planningShipping documentationTerminal performance managementFreight cost controlCargo risk managementHinterland coordination

Tools and standards

Incoterms 2020, IMDG Code, SOLAS Verified Gross Mass, ISPS Code

How the course runs

Training methodology

The programme uses short technical briefings followed by realistic port-call, cargo-document and terminal-performance cases. Participants work in groups to analyse vessel schedules, cargo flows, rate structures, exception reports and stakeholder handovers. Simulations examine berth disruption, congestion, documentation defects and customs holds. Trainers use examples from container, bulk, breakbulk and project-cargo movements. Individual application planning connects course methods to participants’ own routes, ports, customers, terminals or service providers.

Requirements and prerequisites

Participants should have basic familiarity with international freight movement, supply-chain operations, import-export administration, port operations or shipping coordination. They should be comfortable reading operational schedules, invoices and standard cargo documents. Experience in a shipping line, terminal, freight forwarder, cargo owner, customs agency or inland transport provider is useful but not essential. No prior maritime qualification, nautical background, engineering degree or advanced spreadsheet modelling skill is required. The course explains technical shipping terms before applying them to operational and commercial decisions.

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

Basic familiarity with freight, shipping, import-export work, supply chains or port operations is expected. You do not need a nautical qualification or previous terminal-management experience.

Bring a laptop if possible and any non-confidential examples of routes, cargo flows, shipping documents or recurring operational issues. Course materials and case data are provided.

It suits professionals coordinating cargo through ports, dealing with shipping lines or terminals, or managing international transport suppliers. It also suits managers seeking stronger control of port cost, service and risk.

This programme focuses on port calls, shipping documentation, terminal processes, carrier charges, cargo release and maritime compliance. General supply chain courses usually give less attention to vessel operations and port interfaces.

Participants can use the port-call template, document checklist, KPI dashboard and disruption playbook with current shipments or supplier reviews. The final management plan can be adapted to an active route or cargo flow.

Each training day runs from 08:30 to 16:30 and provides about 6.5 contact hours. The first week establishes shipping, port, documentation and cargo-control methods; the second week applies them to performance, risk, recovery and 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.