Aims

A1 - To help students understand the linkages between global trade, logistics and maritime transport.
A2 - To provide students with a detailed understanding of the key principles, practices and technologies that underlie effective management of ports and logistics systems, and the roles played by global logistics service providers and global port operators.
A3 - To illustrate the role of maritime transport in integrated, intermodal logistics systems and within individual supply chains.
A4 - To introduce a number of management science techniques and illustrate how they can be used to analyse and optimise logistics systems.
A5 - To interpret the results of such analyses in the context of managerial and wider system implications.

Outline Of Syllabus

Introduction to logistics.
Role of ports in logistics chains, 'port-centric' logistics.
Economics of port operations; port marketing.
Globalisation, shipping and international trade.
Container flows and transhipment.
Supply chain management; inventory management.
Warehousing; Intermodality and logistics service providers.
Costing, performance management.
Incoterms, risk, security.
Sustainability and ‘low carbon shipping’.
Management science applications in maritime logistics.
Technology developments in maritime logistics.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures are the primary means of delivering the curriculum and are designed to assist students in the acquisition of knowledge and understanding of key principles, practices and techniques (IKO1 – 5).
The group assignment and presentation of same (semester 1) allow the students to apply learning from the first half of the module (IKO1-3 and ISO3).
The individual assignment and the computer practical (both in semester 2) allow the students to gain hands-on experience of using the software tools introduced in class (IKO4 & 5 and ISO1 & 2).
The port visit illustrates the course material in a real world context and especially illustrates IKO3.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The written examination provides students with an opportunity to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the course material and to apply the various tools and techniques considered in the course.
The group report (on ports and logistics) allows students to tackle a logistics problem, in a team / group setting, and use the course material to come up with workable solutions.
The in class multiple choice test allows students to demonstrate knowledge of detailed subject matter and terminology.