Main Aim(s) of the Unit

This unit will introduce students to the key operations associated with the shipping industry and familiarise them with different types of ships, cargoes and ports

Main Topics of Study

The Ship

• The number and classification of ships
• Parts of the ships
• Ship stresses and stability
• Markings on the ship
• Tonnage

Types of Ships

• Passenger ships
• General cargo ships
• Container ships
• Barge-carrying ships and Ro/Ro ships
• Bulk carriers
• Specialist ships
• Types of engines
• Trends in ship types
• The economics of ship size
• The economics of speed

The Crew

• Typical duties of those on board
• Reductions in crew size
• International crews
• Regulating crew size
• Crew recruitment and training
• Pay and conditions
• Industrial relations

Navigation

• Whose responsibility is this?
• The choice of route
• The ship’s navigational hardware
• Communications at sea

Types of Cargo

• Pre-shipment planning
• The stowage plan
• Stowage and discharge
• The care of cargo during the voyage
• Stuffing containers
• Bulk cargo
• Dangerous cargoes
• Deck cargo
• The theory of trade

Costs and Freight Rates

• Cost classification
• The daily running cost (DRS)
• Propulsion, cargo-handling and other port costs
• Freight rates

World Tonnage

• What determines the supply of shipping?
• The growth of national merchant fleets
• Reasons for encouraging and sustaining national fleets
• Maritime policy
• Flags of convenience

Shipping Finance

• The operating profit
• Equity
• Debt

Charters

• Different ways of chartering a ship
• Standard forms for charters
• Voyage estimating
• How shipowners get ‘offers’ for their vessels
• Arbitration in charter party disputes
• The tanker market and chartering

 The Liner Market  

• Typical company organisation
• Marketing
• Consortia, alliances and conferences
• Logistics and/or intermodal transport

Safety

• Spheres of risk
• The economics of safety
• Marine insurance
• Salvage
• Safety and environmental issues

Documentation

• The bill of lading (B/L)
• Economic and operational problems of documentation
• Incoterms
• Ship’s documents
• Customs

Ports  

• Port development
• Classification of ports
• Types of port ownership
• Time spent in port (cargo-handling)
• Number of berths needed in ports
• Comparing the various types of berth
• Alternatives to formal port systems
• Port labour
• Port management and administration
• Port charges
• Ship canals

 

Learning Outcomes for the Unit

Upon successful completion of the course students will be able to:

1. Comment on different types of ships
2. Describe the purpose and functions of different ports and types of port ownerships
3. Discuss different types of cargoes and comment on security and safety matters
4. Understand the purpose of flags of convenience.
5. Identify different ways of chartering a ship
6. Explain the importance of key documentation used by the industry
7. Identify international canals and their impact on world trade

 

Learning and teaching methods/strategies used to enable the achievement of learning outcomes:

Learning takes place on a number of levels through lectures, class discussion including problem review and analysis.  Formal lectures provide a foundation of information on which the student builds through directed learning and self managed learning outside of the class.  The students are actively encouraged to form study groups to discuss course material which fosters a greater depth learning experience.

Assessment methods which enable student to demonstrate the learning outcomes for the Unit:

Examination                100%

Indicative Reading for this Unit:

Main Text:

• Sea Transport, PM Alderton, (Thomas Reed Publications)

Alternative Text and further reading:  

• The Business of Shipping, P. Kendall
• Lloyds List
• Dictionary of Shipping International Business Trade Terms and Abbreviations, A.Branch ( Witherby )

                          

Guideline for teaching and learning time (10 hours per credit) 

50 hours Lectures / Seminars / Tutorials / Workshops:
Tutorial support includes feedback on assignments and may vary by college according to local needs and wishes.

50 hours Directed learning: 
Advance reading and preparation / Class preparation / Background reading / Group study / Portfolio / Diary etc

100 hours Self managed learning: 
Working through the course text and completing assignments as required will take up the bulk of the learning time.  In addition students are expected to engage with the tutor and other students and to undertake further reading using the web and/or libraries.