Port Development & Logistics

Port development and logistics is part of the transport chain, although in this course we take a wider approach. During the course we pay attention to the different modes of transport (road, inland waterway transport, rail and sea shipping) and the ports (terminals and the related logistic activities). With port development and logistics, the focus is on the process of the development of a port to facilitate in the transportation (via different transport modes and activities) to the hinterland of that port. This is also called port regionalization, where international trade, the transport chain and the physical flows in the port hinterland play a vital role.

International trade is the foundation of transportation across the world as around 90% of international trade is done via maritime transport. In maritime transport, the two main components which play a role are the port and the modes of transportation. On one hand, there is the transportation by sea, which is done by ship. On the other hand, transportation on the landside of the port takes place via road, rail and/or inland waterway (pipeline is not included here). The port plays here a crucial role in connecting those two means of transportation (water side and land side), where infrastructure determines the physical flows and the means of transportation. Additionally, to make sure that transportation takes place in the most efficient and effective way, the port and its surroundings are considered vital in the process of optimizing international trade. This is exactly what port development (the port area) and port regionalization (the surrounding of the port on both the water side and land side) is about.

Understanding the dynamics in the various modes of transport, from production to consumption and the role of ports in this process, is crucial in the ever-changing trade environment. The focus is no longer limited to the economic factors involved. How do you make the (strategic) decisions that have impact on all the other factors that involve people and planet as well? Can port development and logistics be the key role in this? What characteristics play a role in the supply chain, logistics chain, and transport chain from a port perspective, and what is the relation to the foreland and hinterland of a port? Due to the complexity of the issues the sector encounters, it is not easy to make decisions. To have impact one needs a thorough understanding to translate challenges into actions. By taking this course of  30 hours, you will be enabled to overlook the processes and contribute to improve the efficiency and effectiveness in one or more of the chains. Your certificate is the ticket to the journey of success.