Course overview

Understanding Shipping is a practical, professionally guided course that demystifies the complex world of maritime transport, the engine behind global commerce. Through nine correspondence lessons, students gain a clear, understanding of the shipping industry’s key sectors, essential processes, challenges, and opportunities. Each participant is supported by a personal tutor and completes both multiple-choice assessments and short written assignments to reinforce learning.

Ideal for newcomers to shipping, school leavers, or professionals in supporting roles such as HR, accounting, and port operations, this course builds a strong foundation for anyone looking to enter or advance within the maritime sector. Upon completing the lessons and a brief interview, successful students earn the Understanding Shipping certificate – an excellent first credential in a global industry.

Lessons

  • World Geography
  • Climate
  • Why Countries Trade
  • The Scale & Value of International Trade
  • International Trade by sea
  • The Demand for Shipping
  • Types of Cargo

  • The Growth of Seaborne Trade
  • The Growth of the Merchant Shipping Fleet
  • The Development of Modern Ships
  • The Major Trade Routes
  • Canals and Waterways

  • Bulk Carriers General Purpose Ships Container Ships Reefers Ro-Ro Ships Tankers
  • Liner Services vs Tramp Shipping
  • Transporting People
  • Containers and Containerised Cargoes
  • The Design of a Ship
  • The Life Cycle of a Ship

  • The Location of ports
  • The World’s Largest Ports
  • Port Infrastructure
  • Cargo Operations
  • Organisation of a Port
  • Port Ownership
  • Role of the Ship Agent
  • Turnaround Times in Ports
  • Port Congestion

  • The Cargo Owner
  • The Shipbroker
  • Shipowners and Ship Operators
  • The Charterer
  • Preparing the Ship for Cargo
  • The Loading Port
  • Loading the Ship
  • Before Departure
  • After Departure
  • The Sea Passage
  • The Discharge Port
  • The Redelivery of the Ship/Off-hire

  • The Markets
  • Shipbroking
  • Types of Charter
  • The Mechanics of Fixing a Ship
  • The Shipbrokers’ Responsibility
  • After the Fixture
  • The Shipbrokers’ Commission
  • Specialist Brokers
  • Sale and Purchase Brokers

  • Definition of a Contract
  • Bill of Lading
  • Charter Parties
  • Cargo/Ship Offers
  • Other Documents

  • Revolutions in Shipping
  • Shipping Cycles
  • External Influences in Shipping
  • Laytime, Demurrage and Despatch Calculations
  • Voyage Estimates

  • Introduction
  • South African Cargoes
  • Our Ports
  • Key Players Within the South African Shipping Industry
  • Lessons

9 Lessons

  • Duration

9 months

  • Course Format

MCQ and Assignment

  • Experience

Entry-level

  • Program Type

Course

Course price:

R8 587,10

(Includes VAT)

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