Professional Diploma in Port and Marina Operations
This professional diploma prepares you to run and improve the day-to-day operations of commercial ports and leisure marinas. You will learn how vessel traffic, pilotage, towage and berth allocation are coordinated, how container, bulk and ro-ro terminals work, how marinas manage berths, tariffs, dry stacks and customer service, and how ISPS security, MARPOL compliance, emergency response, concessions and port finance fit together, so you can lead safe, efficient and well-regulated operations on both sides of the waterfront.
Prior knowledge check
These are the skills this program gives you. Tick the ones you already master and we will tell you which part of the syllabus is for you.
You are starting from scratch in this subject. The program is designed precisely for that.
What is the Professional Diploma in Port and Marina Operations?
This professional diploma gives you an operational view of the port and marina world, from the arrival of a vessel to the last invoice. You will study the global port system and the types of commercial terminals and marinas, port governance models and the landlord port, vessel traffic services, pilotage, towage and mooring, berth allocation, bunkering, shore power and waste reception, clearance formalities and the role of port agents, container, bulk and ro-ro terminal operations with their terminal operating systems and KPIs, berth contracts, pricing and dry stack logistics in marinas, the ISPS Code and port facility security plans, MARPOL reception facilities, spill response and decarbonisation, and the concessions, insurance, labor rules and customs regimes that frame the business.
What sets this professional diploma apart: it treats commercial ports and leisure marinas side by side, so you understand both a container terminal and a superyacht marina and the services they share; it links nautical services, terminal operations, security, environment and finance in a single operational picture rather than in separate silos; it works with the real tools and indicators of the sector, such as TOS, port community systems, turnaround time and berth occupancy; and it ends with an integrative project in which you draw up a complete operations and management plan for a terminal, cruise port or large-yacht marina.
Program highlights
- Port and marina fundamentals: terminal types, marina categories, port infrastructure and governance models.
- Nautical services: VTS, pilotage, towage, mooring, berth allocation, bunkering, shore power and clearance.
- Terminal operations: container, bulk and ro-ro handling, TOS, intermodal links, KPIs and smart ports.
- Marina management: berth contracts, pricing, dry stacks, customer service, maintenance and quality labels.
- Security and environment: ISPS Code, port facility security plans, MARPOL reception, spill response and green ports.
- Integrative project: operations, security, environmental and financial plan for a port terminal or marina.
Syllabus of the Professional Diploma in Port and Marina Operations
8 modules. Select a module to see its content.
Fundamentals of the port industry and classification of marinas
- 1.1. Introduction to the global port system: the role of sea and river ports in international trade and multimodal transport
- 1.2. Types of port facilities: container, bulk and liquid bulk ports, ro-ro terminals, cruise terminals and logistics bases
- 1.3. Anatomy and classification of leisure marinas: public, private and resort marinas, yacht clubs and dry stacks
- 1.4. Physical structures and port infrastructure: breakwaters, quays, floating pontoons, basins, depths and sheltering works
- 1.5. Port governance and management models: public, private and concession ports and the landlord port model
- 1.6. Megayacht and superyacht marinas: deep-water infrastructure, long berths and luxury shore services
- 1.7. Legal framework and regulatory bodies: the International Maritime Organization (IMO), national port authorities and harbor masters
- 1.8. Governance of port authorities
Maritime operations, vessel services and pilotage
- 2.1. Planning of port maritime traffic: coordination of arrivals, departures, anchorages and Vessel Traffic Services (VTS)
- 2.2. Technical-nautical services for arrival and departure: pilotage, port towage and mooring of ships
- 2.3. Berth allocation: scheduling algorithms for berthing windows and management of operational space
- 2.4. Quayside services (bunkering and utilities): refuelling, drinking water, shore power (cold ironing / OPS) and waste collection
- 2.5. Boatyard and repair services in marinas: operation of travel lifts, gantry cranes, slipways and cradles and technical maintenance of boats
- 2.6. Documentation and clearance formalities: entry and departure authorizations (free pratique), customs, immigration and maritime health procedures
- 2.7. Coordination of port agents: the interface between the ship, the terminal, the authorities and service providers
- 2.8. Vessel traffic control (VTS)
Cargo terminal operations and port logistics
- 3.1. Container terminal operations: ship-to-shore (STS) cranes, rubber-tyred gantries (RTG), reachstackers and container yard management
- 3.2. Terminal Operating Systems (TOS): optimization of stowage, discharge, storage and intermodal transfer
- 3.3. Handling of dry and liquid bulk: conveyor belts, silos, transfer pumps, storage tanks and anti-pollution measures
- 3.4. Ro-ro and ro-pax terminal operations: rolling cargo logistics, access ramps, vehicle distribution and safety in mobile stowage
- 3.5. Last-mile logistics and intermodality: connecting the port to rail, road transport and logistics activity zones
- 3.6. Port key performance indicators (KPIs): vessel turnaround time, discharge rates and berth occupancy
- 3.7. Digitalization and smart ports: Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence, terminal automation and port community systems (PCS)
- 3.8. Berth and yard planning
Operational and commercial management of marinas and yacht clubs
- 4.1. Administration of berth contracts: rented berths, berth concessions and annual, transient and high-season contracts
- 4.2. Reception and customer service in marinas: concierge services, arrival assistance, guidance to the pontoon and attention to owners and skippers
- 4.3. Preventive maintenance of nautical facilities: upkeep of pontoons, fingers, service pedestals, bilge pump-out systems and fenders
- 4.4. Pricing and tariff strategy in marinas: rates by length and beam, electricity consumption, season and added services
- 4.5. Dry stack management: lifting with marine forklifts, vertical storage and on-demand launching logistics
- 4.6. Commercial and leisure services in marinas: retail units, sailing schools, yacht charter, restaurants and sporting events
- 4.7. Quality certifications in marinas: Blue Flag, Clean Marina, nautical quality audits and marine sustainability labels
- 4.8. Tariffs and services for recreational boating
Port security, maritime protection and the ISPS Code
- 5.1. Fundamentals of maritime security: the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code)
- 5.2. Port Facility Security Assessment (PFSA): identification of threats, vulnerabilities and risks and determination of critical points
- 5.3. Port Facility Security Plan (PFSP): preparation, implementation and maintenance of operational security procedures
- 5.4. Maritime security levels 1, 2 and 3: operational measures, access restrictions and reinforced controls according to the threat level
- 5.5. Access control and security technologies: biometric identification, cargo scanners, CCTV, perimeter fencing and marine patrols
- 5.6. The Port Facility Security Officer (PFSO): duties, responsibilities, coordination with law enforcement and security audits
- 5.7. Security drills and exercises: planning and running periodic emergency and security exercises in line with IMO rules
- 5.8. Access control and surveillance
Environmental management, sustainability and emergency response in ports and marinas
- 6.1. MARPOL compliance in port facilities: mandatory reception of ship-generated waste (Annexes I to VI) and treatment plants
- 6.2. Prevention and control of marine pollution: booms, skimmers, dispersants and oil spill response protocols
- 6.3. Management of dredging and port sediments: seabed characterization, maintenance dredging permits and impact on coastal dynamics
- 6.4. Contingency and emergency response plans (SOPEP / local contingency plans): action in case of fires on quays or ships, explosions, flooding and extreme weather
- 6.5. Decarbonisation of port activity: quay electrification, alternative fuels (methanol, ammonia, hydrogen) and emission reduction in green ports
- 6.6. Waste management in leisure marinas: collection points for used oil, batteries, antifouling paint and boats' black and gray water
- 6.7. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA): environmental rules for building and extending port and nautical infrastructure
- 6.8. Internal emergency plans
Financial administration, concessions and port law
- 7.1. Port cost and revenue structure: port dues (on ships, passengers and goods), occupancy fees and commercial service tariffs
- 7.2. Management of concessions in the maritime-terrestrial public domain: tender specifications, concession fees, operating periods and reversion of facilities
- 7.3. Operating contracts in marinas: berth regulation, operator's civil liability, facility insurance and boatyard cover
- 7.4. Marine insurance and port liability: cover for damage to quays, collisions, damage to boats in custody and environmental liability
- 7.5. Labor framework and port work: regulation of stevedoring, occupational health and safety rules in port work (ILO)
- 7.6. Financing models for port projects (project finance): public-private partnerships (PPP), investment in terminals and BOT (build-operate-transfer) schemes
- 7.7. Customs rules and free ports: port free zones, customs warehouses, international transit and trade facilitation
- 7.8. Concession contracts and fees
Integrative project: complete operations and management plan for a port or leisure marina
- 8.1. Choice of the operational scenario: type of facility (container terminal, cruise terminal or large-yacht marina) and its geographical location
- 8.2. Design of the maritime and landside operations plan: layout planning, allocation of quays and pontoons, sizing of equipment and staffing
- 8.3. Development of the maritime security plan (ISPS Code): vulnerability assessment, access control and protocol for the three security levels
- 8.4. Environmental management and sustainability plan: design of the MARPOL waste collection network and recycling point, spill protocol and energy efficiency strategy
- 8.5. Economic and financial study and tariff model: operating budget, structure of berth or cargo dues and tariffs and profitability projection
- 8.6. Contingency and emergency management plan: response procedures for fires, storms, accidental spills and TOS failures
- 8.7. Presentation of the management plan
- 8.8. Final presentation and defense of the management project before an assessment panel
Duration and format of the Professional Diploma in Port and Marina Operations
It is 800 hours. Tell us how many you can study each week and we will tell you when you will really finish.
This is the pace at which most students finish. It fits well with the installment plan.
Academic leadership and faculty
The Navalis teaching team: working professionals who teach and supervise the programs.
Dr. Marina AlcoverAcademic Director and Head of Quality Assurance
Eng. Diego CifuentesSenior Lecturer in Naval Welding and Non-Destructive Testing; Head of QA/QC for Welded Joints
Capt. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Senior Lecturer in Ship Handling, Electronic Navigation (ECDIS/Radar/ARPA) and GMDSS; STCW Compliance and Bridge Resource Management Coordinator
Dr. Pau FerrerSenior Lecturer in Naval Architecture and Simulation; Director of the Hydrodynamics and CFD Laboratory
Dr. Nuria LlobregatSenior Lecturer in Marine Meteorology, SAR and Operational Safety; Navigation Risk Management Coordinator
Eng. Javier BañulsSenior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, Automation and ETO Engineering; Electronic Integration and Engine Alarms Coordinator
Eng. Sofía MarquinaSenior Lecturer in Materials, Composites and Corrosion Protection; Coordinator of the Advanced Paints and Coatings Line
Eng. Tomás RieraSenior Lecturer in Propulsion, Alternative Energy and Hybrid Systems; Energy Performance and Vibration CoordinatorObjectives of the Professional Diploma in Port and Marina Operations
Career opportunities after the Professional Diploma in Port and Marina Operations
Questions about the Professional Diploma in Port and Marina Operations
On both. Terminal operations, vessel traffic and port security are covered alongside berth contracts, pricing, dry stacks and customer service in marinas, and many services such as mooring, bunkering, waste reception and emergency response are studied for both settings.
Yes. Alongside nautical services, berth allocation and terminal handling, the program deals with port governance, concessions, tariffs, insurance, labor rules, customs regimes and project finance.
The program works mainly with the ISPS Code, MARPOL and its reception facilities, SOLAS where it concerns port operations, IMO guidance and ILO rules on health and safety in port work, together with the role of port authorities and harbor masters.
Container terminals with STS cranes, RTGs and yard management, dry and liquid bulk terminals, and ro-ro and ro-pax terminals, together with intermodal links, terminal operating systems and performance indicators such as turnaround time and berth occupancy.
Yes. The diploma is designed for logistics, port, marina and maritime professionals as well as graduates in related fields; the admission interview confirms that the program fits your background.
Through practical exercises and case studies in each module and an integrative project in which you prepare a full operations, security, environmental and financial plan for a port terminal or marina and present it at the end.
A Navalis Institute professional diploma and the integrative project itself, a complete operations and management plan you can use as evidence of your skills.
More programs in Ports and marinas
Admission process
No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enroll in the same session.
- Profile: aimed at logistics and transport professionals, engineers and technicians working on port and marina infrastructure, port administrators and managers, marina and yacht club staff, entrepreneurs interested in port and marina projects, and graduates in related fields; a degree in logistics, international trade, business administration or engineering, or proven experience in the port or maritime sector, is recommended, and basic knowledge of maritime transport, port legislation and supply chain operations is an advantage.
- Language: sufficient command of English to follow the classes and the technical documentation.
- Technical resources: a computer with a broadband internet connection, able to open technical documents, spreadsheets and online planning tools.
- Admission: online application, review of your profile and a short interview with the academic team.
- 01ApplicationYour details, background and documents.
- 02Instant reviewWe check that everything is complete and in order.
- 03EnrollmentChoose full payment or instalments and reserve your place.
Admission is provisional until the committee validates the documents provided. If you do not meet the requirements, the full amount is refunded.
Ask us before you enroll
Leave your details and admissions will write to you to answer any questions. If you are already sure, you can apply and pay in the same session.