Introduction to Maritime Transport Course
Get a clear, complete first view of how maritime transport works. This introductory course explains who does what in the shipping sector, the main types of ship and cargo, how ports and terminals handle goods and connect with road, rail and inland waterways, and the basic documents, contracts and Incoterms behind every shipment, giving you a solid foundation to start a career or to understand the role of shipping in your own field.
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 Introduction to Maritime Transport Course?
This introductory course starts from the basics: what maritime transport is, how it differs from short sea shipping, cabotage and port logistics, and why it carries most of world trade and underpins supply chains and the blue economy. You will meet the main players, from shipping lines, shipowners and shippers to freight forwarders, agents, ports, terminals, authorities and insurers, and learn the main service types, including liner, tramp, feeder, short sea and specialized services. You will then study the main ship types, from container ships, bulk carriers and tankers to gas carriers, ro-ro, multipurpose, reefer and project cargo vessels, and match them to the cargo they carry.
What sets this course apart: it is designed for newcomers and gives a broad, structured map of the whole sector before going into detail, rather than focusing on trade or on one specialist area; it explains in plain terms how ports work, from berthing, pilotage, towage and mooring to cargo handling equipment and intermodal connections with road, rail, barges, logistics centers and free zones; it introduces the essential documents, Incoterms, basic maritime contracts and the responsibilities of each party in import and export; and it ends with an applied project in which you plan a simple maritime shipment from origin to delivery.
Program highlights
- How the shipping sector works: players, service types and current challenges.
- Ship types: container ships, bulk carriers, tankers, gas carriers, ro-ro, reefers and project cargo vessels.
- Cargo types, units, TEU, seals, stowage, lashing and damage control.
- Ports and terminals: berthing, pilotage, towage, mooring, handling equipment and inspection.
- Intermodal links with road, rail, barges, logistics centers and free zones.
- Documents, Incoterms, basic maritime contracts and the import and export process.
Syllabus of the Introduction to Maritime Transport Course
5 modules. Select a module to see its content.
Fundamentals of maritime transport, global trade and how the shipping sector works
- 1.1. The concept of maritime transport and the differences between international transport, cabotage, port logistics and commercial navigation
- 1.2. The importance of maritime transport in world trade, supply chains, the blue economy and connectivity between markets
- 1.3. Main players: shipping lines, shipowners, shippers, freight forwarders, ship's agents, ports, terminals, authorities and insurers
- 1.4. Types of maritime service: liner, tramp, feeder, short sea shipping, cabotage and specialized transport
- 1.5. Risks and challenges in the sector: port congestion, weather, fuel costs, delays, environmental regulation and logistics disruption
Ship types, maritime cargo and the operational features of sea transport
- 2.1. Ship types: container ships, bulk carriers, tankers, gas carriers, ro-ro, multipurpose vessels, reefers and project cargo ships
- 2.2. Types of cargo: containerised, dry bulk, liquid bulk, rolling, refrigerated, dangerous, oversized and fragile
- 2.3. Cargo characteristics by weight, volume, value, preservation, handling, packaging and safety requirements
- 2.4. Unit loads, containers, TEU, pallets, seals, stowage, lashing and damage control during transport
- 2.5. The relationship between ship type, goods, route, port, cost, transit time and service level
Ports, terminals, cargo operations and intermodal connectivity
- 3.1. The role of ports in maritime transport and the differences between commercial ports, specialized terminals, hubs and feeder ports
- 3.2. Basic port operations: berthing, pilotage, towage, mooring, loading, unloading, storage and inspection
- 3.3. Port equipment: cranes, reach stackers, RTGs, terminal tractors, conveyors, pipelines and cargo handling systems
- 3.4. Coordination between ship, terminal, haulier, ship's agent, customs and logistics operators
- 3.5. Intermodal connectivity with road, rail, barges, logistics centers, free zones and inland terminals
Documentation, contracts, Incoterms and basic processes in maritime trade
- 4.1. Essential documents: bill of lading, sea waybill, booking, manifest, commercial invoice and packing list
- 4.2. Incoterms applied to maritime transport and the allocation of costs, risks, delivery, insurance and responsibilities
- 4.3. Basic maritime contracts: carriage, chartering, logistics services, ship agency and port operations
- 4.4. Responsibilities of the shipper, shipping line, freight forwarder, ship's agent, customs broker and consignee
- 4.5. Import and export processes: booking, cargo delivery, loading, transit, arrival, clearance and final delivery
Applied project in introductory maritime transport
- 5.1. Defining the case: import, export, container shipment, refrigerated cargo, bulk, rolling cargo or coastal transport
- 5.2. Diagnosis of the goods, origin, destination, ports, parties, document requirements, times and operational constraints
- 5.3. Designing the maritime route with the choice of ship type, port, terminal, land connection and logistics alternative
- 5.4. Drawing up the document scheme with Incoterm, responsibilities, contract, insurance, booking and clearance process
- 5.5. Basic estimate of costs, risks, times, sustainability, traceability and measures to prevent incidents
Duration and format of the Introduction to Maritime Transport 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 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 Introduction to Maritime Transport Course
Career opportunities after the Introduction to Maritime Transport Course
Questions about the Introduction to Maritime Transport Course
To move goods on a large scale across seas and oceans, making international trade possible at a low cost per unit.
Container ships carry most manufactured goods, while bulk carriers and tankers move the largest volumes of raw materials and energy. The course explains how each fits into trade.
No. The course is introductory and starts from the basics. Prior training in logistics or trade helps, but it is not required.
This course gives a broad first map of the whole sector, with ships, cargo, ports and intermodal links. A trade course goes deeper into routes, commercial voyage planning and international trade operations.
A simple plan for a maritime shipment, with route, ship type, ports, land connections, Incoterm, documents, costs, risks and times.
Fully online, through a virtual campus available 24/7, with live sessions that are recorded and tutorials with the teaching staff.
The course comprises 300 hours of study across 5 modules of about 60 hours each. You can progress at your own pace within the schedule set when you enroll.
More programs in Cargo and logistics
Admission process
No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enroll in the same session.
- Profile: open to anyone interested in the maritime sector, including students and recent graduates, professionals in logistics, international trade and finance, staff at insurers, law firms and consultancies, and entrepreneurs; no specific qualification is required, although prior training in logistics or international trade and a basic familiarity with geography, economics and trade are helpful.
- Language: sufficient command of English to follow the classes and the technical documentation.
- Technical resources: a computer with a stable internet connection, an up-to-date browser and software to view PDF documents and spreadsheets.
- 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.