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.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Design the layout of container terminals.
Select quay and yard handling systems.
Plan berthing, stowage and crane operations.
Optimise yard and gate management.
Manage TOS systems and EDI messaging.
Assess terminal automation projects.
Analyse the profitability of a terminal.
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.
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
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1History and standardisation of the container1.2ISO container types1.3Shipping alliances and routes1.4Evolution of container ships1.5Terminal market and global operators1.6Transhipment and gateway ports1.7Utilisation rates and congestion1.8TEU and move indicators1.9Contracts between shipping line and terminal1.10Case study: analysis of an alliance's port calls
2.1Subsystems of a terminal2.2Sizing the quay2.3Yard capacity2.4Perpendicular versus parallel layout2.5Reefer and dangerous goods areas2.6Gates and access control2.7On-terminal rail yard2.8Area and density2.9Phased expansions2.10Workshop: preliminary layout of a 1 MTEU terminal
3.1STS cranes and their dimensions3.2RTG and RMG cranes3.3Straddle carriers and shuttle carriers3.4Reach stackers and forklifts3.5Terminal tractors and trailers3.6Automated guided vehicles (AGV)3.7Spreaders and twin-lift3.8Equipment electrification3.9Equipment maintenance3.10Practical exercise: selecting a yard system
4.1Berth planning4.2Stowage plans and bay plans4.3Loading and discharge sequences4.4Assigning cranes to the vessel4.5Crane and vessel productivity4.6Stowage of special containers4.7Mooring and vessel operations4.8Coordination with the shipping line4.9Causes of delays4.10Case study: crane plan for a ULCV
5.1Stacking strategies5.2Rehandles and how to minimise them5.3Slot allocation5.4Empty container management5.5Reefer container management5.6Dangerous goods in the yard5.7Dwell times5.8Inventory and occupancy5.9Move optimisation5.10Practical exercise: slot allocation algorithm
6.1Gate operations6.2Truck appointment systems6.3OCR licence plate recognition6.4Customs controls and inspection6.5Container scanners6.6Rail operations at the terminal6.7Barges and inland waterway transport6.8Congestion and truck turnaround times6.9Integration with the PCS6.10Workshop: truck appointment system
7.1Functions of a TOS7.2Navis N4 and other systems7.3EDI messaging: BAPLIE, COPRAR and CODECO7.4Integration with shipping lines7.5Equipment control systems7.6Real-time data management7.7Operational service indicators7.8TOS migration7.9Cybersecurity in terminals7.10Lab: analysis of EDI messages
8.1Semi-automated terminals and their phases8.2Fully automated terminals8.3Automated stacking cranes (ASC)8.4AGVs and lift-AGVs8.5Remote control of STS cranes8.6Rotterdam Maasvlakte II and other benchmarks8.7Impact on employment8.8Costs and benefits8.9Safety in automated areas8.10Case study: business case for yard automation
9.1Discrete-event simulation of terminals9.2Capacity models9.3Crane assignment optimisation9.4Optimisation of internal routes9.5Queueing models9.6Workforce planning9.7Terminal digital twin9.8Sensitivity analysis9.9Model validation9.10Practical exercise: simulation model in AnyLogic
10.1Cost structure of a terminal10.2Tariffs and contracts10.3Concessions and concession fees10.4Productivity and profitability10.5Equipment investments10.6Commercial strategy of the terminal10.7Relationship with shipping lines and alliances10.8International terminal benchmarking10.9Terminal valuation10.10Workshop: financial model of a concession
11.1Safety in container operations11.2Dock work11.3Training and certification11.4Emissions and electrification11.5Noise and light11.6Waste management11.7ISPS security in terminals11.8Labour relations in dock work11.9Wellbeing and ergonomics11.10Case study: RTG electrification plan
12.1Characterisation of the terminal12.2Demand analysis12.3Operational design or redesign12.4Capacity simulation12.5Economic assessment of the proposal12.6Implementation plan12.7Conclusions and proposals12.8Review with the thesis supervisor12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
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.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
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.
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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