Postgraduate Diploma in Intermodal Terminals and Ferro-Port Operations
Online 800-hour Postgraduate Diploma in Intermodal Terminals and Ferro-Port Operations. 8 modules covering Directive 92/106/EEC (combined transport), Regulation (EU) 2024/1679 (Trans-European Transport Network) and AnyLogic. Dedicated tutor and open enrolment.
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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
Analyse intermodal logistics chains and their competitiveness.
Design the layout of an intermodal terminal.
Plan rail operations within the port.
Schedule and control loading and unloading operations.
Select handling equipment and levels of automation.
Manage transport information and documentation.
Assess the sustainability and business model of a terminal.
Who it's for
- Intermodal terminal engineer who wants to specialise in Intermodal Terminals and Ferro-Port Operations.
- Ferro-port operations manager who wants to specialise in Intermodal Terminals and Ferro-Port Operations.
- Intermodal transport planner who wants to specialise in Intermodal Terminals and Ferro-Port Operations.
- Logistics consultant who wants to specialise in Intermodal Terminals and Ferro-Port Operations.
- Terminal operations manager who wants to specialise in Intermodal Terminals and Ferro-Port Operations.
- Port capacity analyst who wants to specialise in Intermodal Terminals and Ferro-Port Operations.
- Graduates in engineering or sciences looking to enter ports.
What you'll work with
- Directive 92/106/EEC (combined transport)
- Regulation (EU) 2024/1679 (Trans-European Transport Network)
- CSC Convention (container safety)
- ISO 668 (container classification and dimensions)
- ISO 6346 (container coding)
- RID Regulations (dangerous goods by rail)
- IMDG Code (dangerous goods by sea)
8 modules · 800 h
1.1Transport modes and their costs1.2Combined transport: Directive 92/1061.3Intermodal transport units: container, swap body, semi-trailer1.4Trans-European network corridors1.5Dry ports and inland terminals1.6Rail modal share and European targets1.7Rail motorways1.8Actors: operator, terminal and freight forwarder1.9Corridor logistics indicators1.10Workshop: door-to-door cost comparison
2.1Ferro-port terminal typologies2.2Sizing of loading tracks2.3Length of 750 m trains2.4Storage and stacking areas2.5Road accesses and gates2.6Equipment: gantry cranes and reach stackers2.7Terminal capacity calculation2.8Pavements and operational loads2.9RID/ADR dangerous goods regulations2.10Practice: sizing a terminal for 500,000 TEU
3.1Internal port rail network3.2Shunting and shunting locomotives3.3Train assembly and disassembly3.4Iberian, standard and mixed gauge3.5Interlocking and port signalling3.6Coordination with the infrastructure manager3.7Technical wagon inspection and brake testing3.8Safety of movements on quays3.9Planning of arrival and departure paths3.10Case study: shunting plan for a container train
4.1Container cycle in the terminal4.2Train loading planning4.3Resource and shift allocation4.4Appointment systems and time windows4.5Dwell times4.6Rail TOS and integration4.7KPIs: crane productivity and turnover4.8Incident and delay management4.9Optimisation with linear programming4.10Laboratory: yard simulation with discrete events
5.1Rail-mounted gantry cranes (RMG)5.2Rubber-tyred gantry cranes (RTG)5.3Crane automation and remote control5.4Rail OCR gates5.5Damage and seal detection5.6Electrification of equipment5.7Maintenance of handling equipment5.8Machinery safety and work zones5.9Trends: automated terminals5.10Practice: equipment selection for a terminal
6.1CIM/SMGS consignment note6.2Customs and transit documentation6.3EDI messages between terminal and operator6.4Integration with the Port Community System6.5Traceability of intermodal units6.6Dangerous goods: RID documentation6.7Insurance and carrier liability6.8Terminal invoicing and tariffs6.9Capacity booking platforms6.10Workshop: document flow of a port-to-inland train
7.1Comparative carbon footprint by mode7.2ISO 14083 standard for transport emissions7.3Noise and vibration in terminals7.4Concessions and management models7.5Tariffs, subsidies and the Connecting Europe Facility7.6Cost-benefit analysis of terminals7.7Competition and operator access7.8Land use and port planning7.9Electrification and renewable energy7.10Case study: assessment of a rail motorway
8.1Demand and traffic analysis8.2Site selection8.3Functional terminal design8.4Sizing of tracks and yard8.5Equipment selection8.6Operating model and simulation8.7Economic and environmental assessment8.8Implementation plan8.9Report and presentation8.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
Training is 100 % online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine study with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is AnyLogic, Navis N4, OpenTrack, FlexSim, advanced Excel, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Assignments are based on real procedures for simulating terminal operations, sizing of track yards and case studies of port terminals. Assessment is continuous, module by module, plus the final integrating project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Analyse intermodal logistics chains and their competitiveness.
Design the layout of an intermodal terminal.
Plan rail operations within the port.
Schedule and control loading and unloading operations.
Select handling equipment and levels of automation.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient Spanish to follow technical regulatory texts.
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 comprises 800 hours in total, spread over 6 to 8 months. That is between 10 and 15 hours per week on average, compatible with a full-time job.
The programme uses AnyLogic, Navis N4, OpenTrack, FlexSim and advanced Excel. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM in-house diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. It is in-house training, not an official Ministry qualification.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are credited towards the higher programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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