Professional diploma800 h · Online · 8 modules
Professional Diploma in Container and Bulk Transport
This professional diploma gives you a complete and up-to-date view of logistics and operations in maritime trade. You will work with container trades, bulk cargoes, chartering and terminal operations, including cargo handling, documents and key indicators.
Duration800 h
ModeOnline
Start1 December
Modules8
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About the programme
What is the Professional Diploma in Container and Bulk Transport?
This professional diploma gives you a complete and up-to-date view of logistics and operations in maritime trade, with content on ship types, stowage and lashing, international regulations and supply chain management for containerised and bulk cargo. It also addresses route optimisation and compliance with environmental regulations.
What makes it different: real practical cases, software tools for cargo planning and control, and a flexible online format with multimedia resources and forums.
Programme typeProfessional diploma
ModeOnline
Duration800 hours
Modules8
Start1 December
Programme highlights
- A complete view of container and bulk transport, from global logistics to international regulation.
- Supply chain optimisation to reduce costs and improve operational efficiency.
- Practical cases and simulations of complex situations to support decision-making in dynamic environments.
- A practical, global approach to leading the future of cargo transport.
Syllabus
Syllabus of the Professional Diploma in Container and Bulk Transport
8 modules. Select a module to see its content.
Module 1
Fundamentals of Maritime Container and Bulk Cargo Transport
- 1.1. Structure of shipping markets: the liner market for containers and the tramp market for bulk cargoes
- 1.2. Types and technical specifications of container ships (Feeder, Panamax, Neo-Panamax, ULCV) and bulk carriers (Handysize, Supramax, Capesize)
- 1.3. Contracts of carriage: chartering in the bulk sector (Voyage/Time Charter) vs. the Bill of Lading in the container sector
- 1.4. Freight economic indicators: bulk indices (Baltic Dry Index) and container indices (SCFI, CCFI, Drewry)
- 1.5. Applicable international regulatory framework: SOLAS Convention, MARPOL, IMSBC Code, CSS Code and CSC Convention
- 1.6. Structure of operating costs (OPEX/CAPEX) and voyage expenses (VOYEX) by ship type and commercial model
- 1.7. Trends in ship design: bulk carriers with rotor sails and methanol/LNG-powered container ships
- 1.8. Main routes and markets
At this stage
100 hestimated workload8 wkweeks at your paceModule 2
Logistics, Infrastructure and Liner Operations in Containers
- 2.1. ISO container standards, equipment types (Dry, Reefer, Open Top, Flat Rack, ISO Tank) and CSC marking
- 2.2. Container terminal operations: Ship-to-Shore (STS) cranes, yard systems (RTG, RMG, Straddle Carriers) and gates
- 2.3. Bay planning (Bay Plan), EDI messages (BAPLIE) and interaction between the ship and the shore-based planner
- 2.4. Empty container management (Empty Repositioning): flow optimisation and inventory balancing strategies
- 2.5. Global strategic alliances, vessel sharing agreements (VSA) and consortia in the container industry
- 2.6. Cold chain and refrigerated cargo transport: temperature monitoring, controlled atmosphere and damage prevention
- 2.7. Intermodal integration: connecting port terminals with rail, road transport and dry ports
- 2.8. Shipping alliances and liner services
At this stage
100 hestimated workload8 wkweeks at your paceModule 3
Dry Bulk Operations and the IMSBC Code
- 3.1. Structure of the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes Code (IMSBC Code) and classification into Groups A, B and C
- 3.2. Group A cargoes that may liquefy: determination of the Transportable Moisture Limit (TML) and critical moisture
- 3.3. Group B cargoes with chemical hazards: self-heating, corrosion, emission of toxic/flammable gases and oxygen depletion
- 3.4. Bulk loading and discharging equipment: conveyor belts, shiploaders, grab cranes and pneumatic unloading
- 3.5. Cargo trimming methods to ensure stability and prevent cargo shift
- 3.6. Specific handling of high-risk cargoes: coal, mineral concentrates, iron ore, fertilisers and grain
- 3.7. Hold washing, gas-freeing and preparation for food-grade inspections or cargo changes
- 3.8. Cargo liquefaction and risks
At this stage
100 hestimated workload8 wkweeks at your paceModule 4
Liquid Bulk Operations on Tankers
- 4.1. Operations on oil tankers (Crude Oil & Product Tankers): piping systems, manifolds and cargo pumps
- 4.2. Inert Gas Systems (IGS): oxygen parameters, maintaining positive pressure and preventing explosive atmospheres
- 4.3. Crude Oil Washing (COW) and gas-freeing procedures for dry-docking or inspections
- 4.4. Operations on chemical tankers: IBC Code, cargo compatibility chart and washing with chemical agents
- 4.5. Operations on gas carriers (LNG / LPG): cool-down, inerting and management of Boil-Off Gas
- 4.6. Ship-to-Ship (STS) cargo transfer procedures: equipment, mooring and safety protocols
- 4.7. Tank gauging, sampling, volume calculation (ASTM/API factors) and loss control (Ullage Reports)
- 4.8. Tank cleaning and cargo changeover
At this stage
100 hestimated workload8 wkweeks at your paceModule 5
Stability, Structural Stresses and Safety on Board
- 5.1. Calculation of initial stability, metacentric height (GM) and static stability curves on bulk carriers and container ships
- 5.2. Assessment of structural stresses: bending moments and shear forces on the hull girder
- 5.3. Free surface effect in ballast and fuel tanks during cargo operations
- 5.4. Use of the Cargo Securing Manual and calculation of dynamic forces in container lashing
- 5.5. Preventing container losses at sea: forces due to rolling and pitching and the phenomenon of parametric rolling
- 5.6. Risks of structural collapse on bulk carriers due to incorrect loading/discharging sequences or overloading of holds
- 5.7. On-board loading computers: verification of intact and damage stability criteria under SOLAS
- 5.8. Calculation of shear forces and bending moments
At this stage
100 hestimated workload8 wkweeks at your paceModule 6
International Regulations, Maritime Safety and Environmental Protection
- 6.1. Verified Gross Mass (VGM) under the SOLAS Convention for export containers
- 6.2. International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code): segregation, labelling and stowage on container ships
- 6.3. EU regulation on ballast water treatment (BWM Convention) and control of invasive species on bulk ships
- 6.4. IMO decarbonisation regulations: application of the EEXI and CII indices to container and bulker fleets
- 6.5. Impact of regional regulations: EU ETS and FuelEU Maritime applied to bulk and container trade routes
- 6.6. Port State Control inspections (PSC / Paris MoU) applied to deficiencies in lashing and cargo gear
- 6.7. Charterer risk assessment inspections: SIRE 2.0 programmes for tankers and RightShip for dry bulk carriers
- 6.8. IMSBC Code and IBC Code
At this stage
100 hestimated workload8 wkweeks at your paceModule 7
Document Management, Insurance, Claims and Average
- 7.1. Issue of and clauses in the Bill of Lading (B/L): remarks, shortages, damage and the electronic B/L (e-B/L)
- 7.2. Letters of protest (Sea Protest) and Mate's Receipts on delivery of bulk cargoes and containers
- 7.3. Management of demurrage, despatch and laytime in bulk charter parties
- 7.4. Types of cargo damage: condensation damage (sweat), contamination, liquefaction and stow collapse
- 7.5. Marine insurance cover: Hull and Machinery (H&M) policies, Protection and Indemnity (P&I) Clubs and cargo insurance
- 7.6. Procedure and declaration of General Average in salvage incidents or fires on board
- 7.7. Marine surveys (Cargo Surveys): the role of independent surveyors in determining damage and loss
- 7.8. General average and cargo claims
At this stage
100 hestimated workload8 wkweeks at your paceModule 8
Digitalisation, Automation and Capstone Project
- 8.1. Digital transformation in the logistics chain: container visibility using IoT technology and traceability with Blockchain
- 8.2. Automation of bulk and container terminals: autonomous cranes and automated guided vehicles (AGV)
- 8.3. Data analytics and real-time sensors for monitoring temperature in reefers and atmosphere condition in tanks
- 8.4. Artificial Intelligence applied to stowage planning and optimisation of loading/discharging sequences
- 8.5. Integration of the European Maritime Single Window environment (EMSWe) to speed up inbound and outbound cargo formalities
- 8.6. Predictive maintenance models for lifting systems, cargo piping and hatch covers
- 8.7. Presentation of the capstone project
- 8.8. Capstone project: preparation of the stowage plan, loading/discharging sequence, stability assessment and regulatory/environmental compliance strategy for a container ship or bulk carrier on an international commercial voyage
At this stage
100 hestimated workload8 wkweeks at your pacePlan your pace
Duration and format of the Professional Diploma in Container and Bulk Transport
It is 800 hours. Tell us how many you can study each week and we will tell you when you will really finish.
4 h30 h
With 12 h per week
15
months to finish
67 weeks
weeks in total
This is the pace at which most students finish. It fits well with the instalment plan.
Faculty
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
Objectives of the Professional Diploma in Container and Bulk Transport
01Optimise the logistics management of cargo.
02Manage port operations efficiently.
03Master international transport regulations.
04Assess and select the most suitable modes of transport.
05Supervise and control safety in cargo transport.
06Coordinate transport documentation effectively.
Careers
Career opportunities after the Professional Diploma in Container and Bulk Transport
Frequently asked questions
Questions about the Professional Diploma in Container and Bulk Transport
Containerised cargo is transported in standardised units (containers), whereas bulk cargo is transported unpackaged, in large quantities, directly in ships' holds or in other suitable means of transport.
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/work placement stays through partnership agreements.
Bulk cargo.
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 suitability.
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.
Related programmes
More programmes in Cargo and logistics
Online admission
Admission process
No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enrol in the same session.
Entry requirements
- Profile: a degree in transport, logistics, international trade or engineering, or demonstrable professional experience in container and/or bulk shipping.
- Valued knowledge: IMO regulations, international conventions (such as the IMDG Code), supply chain and port operations.
- Documentation: up-to-date CV, qualification or certificate of experience, identity document and motivation letter.
- Skills: analysis and problem-solving, communication, teamwork and use of logistics software.
- 01ApplicationYour details, background and documents.
- 02Instant reviewWe check that everything is complete and in order.
- 03EnrolmentChoose full payment or instalments and reserve your place.
Start my applicationFrom €488 deposit
Admission is provisional until the committee validates the documents provided. If you do not meet the requirements, the full amount is refunded.
Any questions?
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.