Container Handling and Stowage Course
This course gives you the essential tools to optimise efficiency and safety in cargo management. You will learn container handling, stowage planning, weight distribution and cargo securing, along with dangerous goods labelling and the documents used in cargo handling.
Prior knowledge check
These are the skills this programme 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 programme is designed precisely for that.
What is the Container Handling and Stowage Course?
This short course gives you the tools to improve efficiency and safety in cargo management. Its aim is to teach you to plan and carry out container stowage, reducing risk and making the most of the available cargo capacity. The programme covers container types, international regulations, planning software and good practice in the logistics sector.
Its strengths are practical simulations to optimise stowage in different scenarios and ship types; hands-on use of the most widely used stowage planning tools; up-to-date knowledge of the international regulations on cargo safety and transport; risk management to identify and reduce the hazards of container handling; and optimisation of the logistics chain to make transport and storage more efficient.
Programme highlights
- The foundations of safe stowage.
- Characteristics and handling of the different container types.
- Cargo securing techniques and materials.
- Current legislation and safety protocols.
- Space optimisation and cost reduction through planning.
- Good practice to improve logistics operations.
Syllabus of the Container Handling and Stowage Course
5 modules. Select a module to see its content.
Fundamentals of port inventories, cargo traceability and operational control in terminals
- 1.1. Concept of port inventory and differences between physical stock, book stock, goods in transit, stored cargo and operating equipment
- 1.2. Types of inventory: containers, bulk cargo, general cargo, refrigerated goods, spare parts, consumables, equipment and dangerous materials
- 1.3. Stakeholders involved: port authority, terminal, warehouse, logistics operator, shipping line, ship agent, customs, hauliers and customers
- 1.4. Relationship between inventory, receipt, storage, dispatch, documentation, security, invoicing and traceability
- 1.5. Risks of poor management: losses, stock discrepancies, delays, cost overruns, documentation errors, damage and holds
Receipt, registration, location and classification of goods in port facilities
- 2.1. Cargo receipt procedures, document verification, visual inspection, weighing, identification and reference assignment
- 2.2. Recording of entries using manifests, orders, delivery notes, terminal operating systems, codes, labels and associated documents
- 2.3. Classification by cargo type, customer, destination, customs regime, priority, hazard level, temperature and storage conditions
- 2.4. Assignment of locations in yards, warehouses, refrigerated zones, dangerous goods areas, depots and transit zones
- 2.5. Control of discrepancies between received cargo, documentation, seals, weights, units, damage and declared conditions
Storage, rotation, physical counts and control of port stock
- 3.1. Organisation of yards, warehouses, racks, depots, silos, tanks, temporary zones and areas segregated by type of goods
- 3.2. Rotation methods: FIFO, FEFO, controlled LIFO, operational priority, expiry dates, dispatch windows and customs requirements
- 3.3. Physical counts, cycle counting, stock audits and reconciliation between the system and physical reality
- 3.4. Control of refrigerated, perishable, dangerous, oversized, fragile, polluting or high-value cargo
- 3.5. Management of damage, shrinkage, shortages, overages, holds, abandoned goods and operational blocks
Digital systems, WMS, TOS, automatic identification and real-time traceability
- 4.1. Digital tools for port inventories: WMS, TOS, ERP, PCS, handhelds, RFID, QR codes, OCR and IoT sensors
- 4.2. Integration between inventory, terminal operations, customs, land transport, shipping lines, warehouses and invoicing
- 4.3. Traceability of movements: entry, location, internal transfer, inspection, consolidation, deconsolidation, dispatch and exit
- 4.4. Dashboards for stock, occupancy, dwell times, alerts, expiry dates, holds and operational productivity
- 4.5. Data security, role-based permissions, change auditing, data backup and system access control
Applied project in port inventory control
- 5.1. Definition of the case: container terminal, port warehouse, bonded warehouse, refrigerated zone, bulk cargo, dangerous goods or small port
- 5.2. Diagnosis of inbound flows, storage, internal movements, outbound flows, documentation, systems and inventory risks
- 5.3. Design of the model for classification, coding, location, rotation, physical counting and stock reconciliation
- 5.4. Preparation of the digital workflow with WMS, TOS, labels, traceability, dashboards, alerts, permissions and operational reports
- 5.5. Development of the plan for indicators, security, compliance, incident management, auditing and continuous improvement
Duration and format of the Container Handling and Stowage Course
It is 300 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 instalment plan.
Academic leadership and faculty
The Navalis teaching team: working professionals who teach and supervise the programmes.
Dra. Marina AlcoverAcademic Director and Head of Quality Assurance
Ing. Diego CifuentesSenior Lecturer in Naval Welding and Non-Destructive Testing; Head of QA/QC for Welded Joints
Cap. 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
Dra. Nuria LlobregatSenior Lecturer in Marine Meteorology, SAR and Operational Safety; Navigation Risk Management Coordinator
Ing. Javier BañulsSenior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, Automation and ETO Engineering; Electronic Integration and Engine Alarms Coordinator
Ing. Sofía MarquinaSenior Lecturer in Materials, Composites and Corrosion Protection; Coordinator of the Advanced Paints and Coatings Line
Ing. Tomás RieraSenior Lecturer in Propulsion, Alternative Energy and Hybrid Systems; Energy Performance and Vibration CoordinatorObjectives of the Container Handling and Stowage Course
Career opportunities after the Container Handling and Stowage Course
Questions about the Container Handling and Stowage Course
Stowage is the act of placing cargo in a transport unit safely and efficiently.
Yes. The pathway includes ECDIS/Radar-ARPA/BRM with port, ocean, fog, heavy weather and SAR scenarios.
Online with live sessions; hybrid option for simulator placements/internships through agreements.
To maximise the space available inside the container and secure the cargo to prevent damage during transport.
Functional SMCP is recommended. We provide support materials for standard phraseology.
Yes, with a related qualification or experience in maritime/port operations. The admission interview will confirm your fit.
Optional (3–6 months) through Companies & Partnerships and the Alumni Network.
Simulator exercises (rubrics), passage plans, SOPs, checklists, micro-tests and an applied master's thesis.
More programmes in Cargo and logistics
Admission process
No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enrol in the same session.
- Profile: background in logistics, transport or international trade, or demonstrable experience in loading, unloading and stowage.
- Knowledge: dangerous goods regulations (e.g. IMDG), container types, stowage and lashing techniques, and stability calculations.
- Skills: planning, attention to detail, handling of lifting equipment and teamwork.
- Documentation: up-to-date CV, certificates of related courses, and identity document or passport.
- Desirable: knowledge of warehouse management software (WMS).
- 01ApplicationYour details, background and documents.
- 02Instant reviewWe check that everything is complete and in order.
- 03EnrolmentChoose 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 enrol
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.