Diploma in Port Management

Most countries of the world are dependent on international trade. Over 90% of trade volumes are carried through maritime means where cargos are moved from an origin to their destination using various transportation system called “multimodalism” or “through-transport”. A port, due to its strategic geographic location, becomes the converging point of the system, thus allowing it to play a major critical role in this integrated logistic chain.

In the era of globalisation and technological advances, ships are getting bigger and more sophisticated while logistic chains are becoming more complex. In response to this, port reception facilities are constantly transforming themselves to become more dynamic and efficient to cater to the demand of both the seaward as well as the landside movement of goods.

Industry Focus

This programme will provide opportunities for students to thoroughly understand the role of port especially in the international trade and logistic chain as the ‘economic engine’ of development. This programme exposes the students to the different types of ports, its strategic geographical importance (natural, man-made, river estuary) and diversity of port operations due to different types of cargos – general cargo, bulk (dry and liquid) and containers.

This programme will focus on the strategic role of ports in the context of through-transport with respect to shipping – hub port, feeder/transhipment and intermodal interface. In addition, the programme will also deal with various ownership structure of port organisations and port services i.e. public, municipal, private, landlord or fully privatised ports. Students will also be exposed to the fundamental differences between various types of ships i.e. dry and liquid bulk, general-purpose ships, container ships, break-bulk, RORO, tankers and Ore carriers.

Programme Content

The programme is structured around the themes of the role of ports within international trade, shipping and logistics, managing harbour operations, managing port property, managing terminal operators, and related management knowledge and skills, before culminating in case studies or assignments which draw the various elements of the programme together.

YEAR 1

CORE SUBJECTS

• Introduction to Supply Chain Management
• Port Planning Management
• Port Technology and Maintenance
• Business Law
• Business Statistics
• Business Information Systems
• Principles Of Management
• Basic Financial Accounting
• Human Resource Management
• Marketing Management
• Principles Of Economics

YEAR 2

CORE SUBJECTS

• Innovation Of Port Business
• Port Operation Management
• Port Marketing And Strategies
• Cargo Operation Management
• Port Channel Distribution Management
• The Business Of Port
• Port Security And Safety Management
• Port Design And Engineering
• Port Tourism Economy And Entrepreneurship
• Port Economics
• Law of Carriage of Goods by Sea
• Economic Impact Of Container Port
• Port Cargo Clearance Procedure
• Environment Economics In Port Development
• Maritime English

YEAR 3

CORE SUBJECTS

• Industrial Training

Assessment

The programme is assessed through assignments, presentations, quiz, test (coursework), practical, projects, field exercises, other forms of classroom participation and written examination.

Key career skills: Business inclination, good communication skill, good report writing ability, problem-solving, presentation, project management, teamwork, decision making and willingness to learn.

Duration

2.5 year (7 semesters)

Entry Requirement

Pass in SPM (Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia) or ‘O’ Levels with any three (3) credits or equivalent (minimum requirement).

Career Opportunities

Port organisation; Logistic Business; Warehousing; Distriparks; Freight Forwarding and Shipping Lines; Airports; Container shipping business; NVOCC and Cargo Consolidation business; Port ancillary services – mooring, tugs etc.; Shipping agencies, husbanding, candling etc.; Maritime related authorities.