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Master’s in Container Terminal Engineering and Operations

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in container terminal engineering and operations: 12 modules covering terminal layout, handling equipment, quay, yard and gate operations, TOS and EDI, automation, simulation and terminal economics, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration1900 h
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Design the layout of container terminals.

02

Select quay and yard handling systems.

03

Plan berthing, stowage and crane operations.

04

Optimise yard and gate management.

05

Manage TOS systems and EDI messaging.

06

Assess terminal automation projects.

07

Analyse the profitability of a terminal.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Terminal operations managers aiming to raise quay and yard productivity.
  • Vessel planners handling stowage, bay plans and crane sequences.
  • Yard planners responsible for stacking and slot allocation.
  • Terminal engineers working on layout, equipment and automation.
  • Port performance analysts building KPIs and simulation models.
  • TOS system managers and EDI integration specialists.
  • Engineering or science graduates aiming to join terminal operators.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • ISO 668 (classification and dimensions of containers)
  • CSC Convention (International Convention for Safe Containers)
  • SOLAS Chapter VI: VGM (verified gross mass of containers)
  • IMDG Code (dangerous goods by sea)
  • ISPS Code (ship and port facility security)
  • ISO 3874 (handling and securing of containers)
  • UN/EDIFACT (BAPLIE and CODECO messages)
  • ROM 2.0-11 (recommendations for berthing structures)
  • Navis N4
  • AnyLogic
  • FlexSim
  • Power BI
  • Python
Syllabus

12 modules · 1900 h

  1. 1.1History and standardisation of the container
  2. 1.2ISO container types
  3. 1.3Shipping alliances and routes
  4. 1.4Evolution of container ships
  5. 1.5Terminal market and global operators
  6. 1.6Transhipment and gateway ports
  7. 1.7Utilisation rates and congestion
  8. 1.8TEU and move indicators
  9. 1.9Contracts between shipping line and terminal
  10. 1.10Case study: analysis of an alliance's port calls
  1. 2.1Subsystems of a terminal
  2. 2.2Sizing the quay
  3. 2.3Yard capacity
  4. 2.4Perpendicular versus parallel layout
  5. 2.5Reefer and dangerous goods areas
  6. 2.6Gates and access control
  7. 2.7On-terminal rail yard
  8. 2.8Area and density
  9. 2.9Phased expansions
  10. 2.10Workshop: preliminary layout of a 1 MTEU terminal
  1. 3.1STS cranes and their dimensions
  2. 3.2RTG and RMG cranes
  3. 3.3Straddle carriers and shuttle carriers
  4. 3.4Reach stackers and forklifts
  5. 3.5Terminal tractors and trailers
  6. 3.6Automated guided vehicles (AGV)
  7. 3.7Spreaders and twin-lift
  8. 3.8Equipment electrification
  9. 3.9Equipment maintenance
  10. 3.10Practical exercise: selecting a yard system
  1. 4.1Berth planning
  2. 4.2Stowage plans and bay plans
  3. 4.3Loading and discharge sequences
  4. 4.4Assigning cranes to the vessel
  5. 4.5Crane and vessel productivity
  6. 4.6Stowage of special containers
  7. 4.7Mooring and vessel operations
  8. 4.8Coordination with the shipping line
  9. 4.9Causes of delays
  10. 4.10Case study: crane plan for a ULCV
  1. 5.1Stacking strategies
  2. 5.2Rehandles and how to minimise them
  3. 5.3Slot allocation
  4. 5.4Empty container management
  5. 5.5Reefer container management
  6. 5.6Dangerous goods in the yard
  7. 5.7Dwell times
  8. 5.8Inventory and occupancy
  9. 5.9Move optimisation
  10. 5.10Practical exercise: slot allocation algorithm
  1. 6.1Gate operations
  2. 6.2Truck appointment systems
  3. 6.3OCR licence plate recognition
  4. 6.4Customs controls and inspection
  5. 6.5Container scanners
  6. 6.6Rail operations at the terminal
  7. 6.7Barges and inland waterway transport
  8. 6.8Congestion and truck turnaround times
  9. 6.9Integration with the PCS
  10. 6.10Workshop: truck appointment system
  1. 7.1Functions of a TOS
  2. 7.2Navis N4 and other systems
  3. 7.3EDI messaging: BAPLIE, COPRAR and CODECO
  4. 7.4Integration with shipping lines
  5. 7.5Equipment control systems
  6. 7.6Real-time data management
  7. 7.7Operational service indicators
  8. 7.8TOS migration
  9. 7.9Cybersecurity in terminals
  10. 7.10Lab: analysis of EDI messages
  1. 8.1Semi-automated terminals and their phases
  2. 8.2Fully automated terminals
  3. 8.3Automated stacking cranes (ASC)
  4. 8.4AGVs and lift-AGVs
  5. 8.5Remote control of STS cranes
  6. 8.6Rotterdam Maasvlakte II and other benchmarks
  7. 8.7Impact on employment
  8. 8.8Costs and benefits
  9. 8.9Safety in automated areas
  10. 8.10Case study: business case for yard automation
  1. 9.1Discrete-event simulation of terminals
  2. 9.2Capacity models
  3. 9.3Crane assignment optimisation
  4. 9.4Optimisation of internal routes
  5. 9.5Queueing models
  6. 9.6Workforce planning
  7. 9.7Terminal digital twin
  8. 9.8Sensitivity analysis
  9. 9.9Model validation
  10. 9.10Practical exercise: simulation model in AnyLogic
  1. 10.1Cost structure of a terminal
  2. 10.2Tariffs and contracts
  3. 10.3Concessions and concession fees
  4. 10.4Productivity and profitability
  5. 10.5Equipment investments
  6. 10.6Commercial strategy of the terminal
  7. 10.7Relationship with shipping lines and alliances
  8. 10.8International terminal benchmarking
  9. 10.9Terminal valuation
  10. 10.10Workshop: financial model of a concession
  1. 11.1Safety in container operations
  2. 11.2Dock work
  3. 11.3Training and certification
  4. 11.4Emissions and electrification
  5. 11.5Noise and light
  6. 11.6Waste management
  7. 11.7ISPS security in terminals
  8. 11.8Labour relations in dock work
  9. 11.9Wellbeing and ergonomics
  10. 11.10Case study: RTG electrification plan
  1. 12.1Characterisation of the terminal
  2. 12.2Demand analysis
  3. 12.3Operational design or redesign
  4. 12.4Capacity simulation
  5. 12.5Economic assessment of the proposal
  6. 12.6Implementation plan
  7. 12.7Conclusions and proposals
  8. 12.8Review with the thesis supervisor
  9. 12.9Master's Thesis report
  10. 12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

The programme is delivered 100% online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable materials, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, making it compatible with work.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Navis N4, AnyLogic, FlexSim, Power BI and Python, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures: designing the layout of a container terminal, simulating quay and yard operations and building the financial model of a terminal concession. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.

Standards covered: ISO 668, CSC Convention, SOLAS Chapter VI (VGM), IMDG Code, ISPS Code, ISO 3874, UN/EDIFACT and ROM 2.0-11.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of ISO 668, the CSC Convention, SOLAS Chapter VI (VGM) and UN/EDIFACT messaging applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:Navis N4, AnyLogic, FlexSim, Power BI and Python, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Master's Thesis with defence:a container terminal design or redesign project covering demand analysis, operations, capacity simulation, economic assessment and implementation plan, defended before a panel.
Flexible format:100% online, no fixed timetables, compatible with full-time work.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Terminal layout
Draw up the preliminary layout of a 1 MTEU container terminal.
Crane plan for a ULCV
Plan berthing, stowage sequence and crane allocation for an ultra-large container vessel.
Capacity simulation
Model quay and yard operations in AnyLogic and test their capacity.
Concession financial model
Build the financial model of a terminal concession.
Master's Thesis
A complete container terminal design or redesign project, defended before a panel.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Terminal operations managerVessel plannerYard plannerTerminal engineerPort performance analystTOS systems manager
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • University degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
  • Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
  • English sufficient to read technical standards.

Ready to start?

Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.

Apply now Scholarships
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme totals 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.

You work with Navis N4, AnyLogic, FlexSim, Power BI and Python, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.

A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the Master's Thesis. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.

Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.

A university degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), a computer able to run the programme software and English sufficient to read technical standards.

Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.

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