Maritime Logistics

The course Maritime Logistics is a course within the Master of Science programmes at the Graduate School, School of Business, Economics and Law, University of Gothenburg.

To be eligible for the course Maritime Logistics, the participant must fulfil the entrance qualifications for one of the Master of Science programmes at the Graduate School.

The course puts maritime transport into a wider logistics context. The design and commercial operation of ships as well as the role of ports are treated acknowledging the preconditions in different shipping segments. Freight transport is emphasised and more specifically, the course deals with:

• maritime transport terminology
• ship design and commercial operations related to different commodities and trade lanes
• freight markets, business cycles and shipping segments
• seaports and hinterland terminals
• shipping as part of transport chains
• actors and governance in the maritime sector.

On successful completion of the course the student will be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

1. define technical, operational, commercial and policy-related terms

2. characterise the nodes and links in typical transport chains that include maritime transport

Competence and skills

3. explain basic technical, operational, commercial, management and governance concepts and match these with different types of transport services

4. combine technical components and operational concepts into transport systems

5. suggest and illustrate an appropriate transport service for a specific transport demand

Judgement and approach

6. review trends as well as operational and commercial challenges of shipping companies and seaports

7. interpret policy initiatives and judge how they affect companies in the maritime industry.

The course contains lectures, exercises, site visits and group assignments.

The language of instruction is English.

Learning outcomes 1, 2 and 7 are assessed through a written individual exam.

Learning outcomes 3-6 are assessed through a written individual exam and a group assignment (including seminar).

Participation in seminars and site visits is mandatory. If the course coordinator agrees that the reason for absence from seminars is valid, then the seminar can be replaced with alternative assignments.

Individual exams shall be written individually, cooperation in formulating text, tables, figures etc. is not allowed.

In connection with written assignments, the course coordinator or teacher may conduct a follow-up oral conversation with the student. The conversation serves as an assessment support for the written assignment. The purpose of the conversation is to ensure that the learning objectives of the assignment are met and that the text, ideas, and/or analysis are the student´s own work.

If a student who has been failed twice for the same examination element wishes to change examiner before the next examination session, such a request is to be granted unless there are specific reasons to the contrary (Chapter 6 Section 22 HF).

If a student has received a certificate of disability study support from the University of Gothenburg with a recommendation of adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment, an examiner may decide, if this is consistent with the course’s intended learning outcomes and provided that no unreasonable resources would be needed, to grant the student adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment.

If a course has been discontinued or undergone major changes, the student must be offered at least two examination sessions in addition to ordinary examination sessions. These sessions are to be spread over a period of at least one year but no more than two years after the course has been discontinued/changed. The same applies to placement and internship (VFU) except that this is restricted to only one further examination session.

The number of examinations is limited to five.

If a student has been notified that they fulfil the requirements for being a student at Riksidrottsuniversitetet (RIU student), to combine elite sports activities with studies, the examiner is entitled to decide on adaptation of examinations if this is done in accordance with the Local Rules Regarding RIU Students at the University of Gothenburg.

The grading scale comprises: Excellent (A), Very good (B), Good (C), Satisfactory (D), Sufficient (E) and Fail (F).

Pass is required on the exam and the group assignment. The grade (A-E) corresponds to the total score a student obtains on the written exam (70 % of final grade) and the group assignment (30 % of final grade). To receive a pass grade (A-E) >= 50% points is required. The scale is tied to fixed score intervals:

A: 85-100%

B: 75-84%

C: 68-74%

D: 60-67%

E: 50-59%

F: <50%

The course will be evaluated upon completion. The results of and possible changes to the course will be shared with students who participated in the evaluation and students who are starting the course.