Advanced Diploma in Shipping and Logistics

Purpose

The Advanced Diploma in Shipping and Logistics provides learners with intensive, focused and applied specialisation. It equips learners with the knowledge and skills required to broaden the scope of their function in the international shipping and logistics environment. The following Exit Learning Outcomes will be obtained:

• Evaluate contemporary challenges, formulate and implement solutions to equip management of shipping operations within the international maritime context.
• Analyse and evaluate the commercial, technical and operational aspects of liner shipping and maritime container logistics.
• Develop the skills and knowledge necessary to apply appropriate business practices in the shipping sector.
• Examine the holistic operation of container terminals in order to optimise the operation, management and the commercial success of the container terminal business.
• Apply financial management systems and controls to determine the impact of external factors on organisational financial management.
• Optimise the flow of goods, information and services throughout the supply chain.

In addition, the learner will acquire the following Graduate Attributes

• Critical and creative thinkers who will be able to work independently and collaboratively.
• Knowledgeable practitioners.
• Effective communicators.
• Culturally, environmentally and socially aware within local and global context.
• Active reflective learners.

Rationale

The maritime sector of the economy has been identified as a potential area for job creation. The planned dugout port south of Durban; the expansion and infrastructure developments at the existing commercial ports in South Africa and the strengthening of the Durban to Gauteng Freight Corridor are some of the initiatives that the national government has embarked on.

Durban is the busiest multi-purpose port in the southern hemisphere and the African continent and home to the largest concentration of maritime-related shore-based activities in the southern hemisphere. Durban is considered to be the gateway to southern Africa. 20% of the GDP is directly related to the port activities while a further 20% is indirectly related to maritime activities.

Richards Bay is the busiest port in the southern hemisphere and African continent by the volume of cargo handled.

Durban's international competitiveness is dependent on an educated and trained workforce. The Advanced Diploma in Shipping and Logistics provides learners with intensive, focussed and applied specialisation. It equips learners with the knowledge and skills required to broaden the scope of their job function thereby enhancing future advancement in the workplace.

National, provincial and local employment needs (statistics on scarce skills)

The maritime sector of the economy has been identified as a potential area for eradicating poverty, "promote the creation of decent jobs" and reduce the unemployment rate. In the first quarter of 2013 the official unemployment rate was estimated to be 25.2% while the expanded was 36.7%.

It is also the objective of the Department of Transport to "develop South Africa into one of the world's top 35 maritime nations".

The expansion of the port of Durban has the potential of creating 76 000 permanent jobs in port related industries; and reducing the local unemployment by 5% to 7%.

There are a number of career opportunities ashore that require graduates with further maritime related qualifications at a national, provincial and local level: Operation departments in shipping companies; Ship's agencies; Clearing and Forwarding agencies; Port and terminal management; Warehousing; Logistics; Shipping desks at large manufacturing companies.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The department's RPL process will be aligned to the institution's Recognition of Prior Learning Policy. The policy will be applicable to all prospective candidates for the Advanced Diploma in Shipping and Logistics. The purpose of the policy is to:

• Provide a framework for the implementation of Recognition of Prior Learning procedures within the Durban University of Technology (DUT).
• Facilitate access and admission to learning programmes within education and training and career paths.
• Accelerate redress of past unfair discrimination in education, training and employment opportunities.
• Promote and facilitate lifelong learning.
• Outline general procedures relating to the processing of RPL applications.

The structure of this qualification makes the Recognition of Prior Learning possible. The Advanced Diploma in Shipping and Logistics may be achieved in part through the Recognition of Prior Learning, which includes formal, informal and non-formal learning and work experience.

The appropriate credits would be assigned provided that the prospective candidate is able to demonstrate competence in the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes implicit in the Advanced Diploma in Shipping and Logistics.

Entry Requirements

• National Diploma in Maritime Studies, Level 6.

Or

• Diploma in Shipping and Logistics, Level 6.

Or

• Any commerce or Business Management Degree or Diploma.

This qualification consists of compulsory modules at Level 7 totalling 120 Credits.

Modules at Level 7: 120 Credits

• Global Maritime Domain, 24 Credits.
• Container Shipping Management, 24 Credits.
• Shipping Business Management, 12 Credits.
• Logistics and Supply Chain Management, 24 Credits.
• Container Terminal Management, 24 Credits.
• Financial Management, 12 Credits.

1. Evaluate contemporary challenges, formulate and implement solutions to equip management of shipping operations within the international maritime context.
2. Analyse and evaluate the commercial, technical and operational aspects of liner shipping and maritime container logistics.
3. Develop the skills and knowledge necessary to apply appropriate business practices in the shipping sector.
4. Examine the holistic operation of container terminals in order to optimise the operation, management and the commercial success of the container terminal business.
5. Apply financial management systems and controls to determine the impact of external factors on organisational financial management.
6. Optimise the flow of goods, information and services throughout the supply chain.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Critically analyse contemporary challenges and solutions of shipping operations.
• Apply best practice solutions in shipping operations.
• Apply national and international conventions, codes and regulations to safely and effectively manage shipping operations applied.
• Appraise the impact of national and international environmental conventions and regulations on shipping operations.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Analyse evolution of liner shipping, trade routes and its impact on global trade.
• Recognise different types and characteristics of containers used in the global transportation of various products.
• Analyse change in characteristics and growing sizes of container ships.
• Calculate shipping costs, revenue and freight rates relating to transport of a container.
• Apply container shipping business, regulations and documentation of modern day container shipping operations.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Apply principles of leadership and management of the shipping industry.
• Use data and information to support decision-making.
• Plan and use resources to meet objectives.
• Develop skills and competencies to manage individuals and teams.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Understand the role of container terminals in global trade and the supply chain.
• Understand the different elements of container terminal operations.
• Examine the full cycle of ship, yard and gate activities in container terminal operations.
• Demonstrate key Health, Safety, Security and Environmental (HSSE) issues in container terminals and discuss how they are managed.
• Apply economics of container terminal operations where necessary.
• Understand South African container terminal operations with international terminals.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Apply financial management terminology, concepts and principles of shipping operations are applied.
• Explain current and potential sources of finance support and organisational activities.
• Use a range of financial controls to support business decisions.
• Apply measures to control a financial system are applied.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Explain the role of the integrated global supply chain and logistics management in contributing to an organisation's success.
• Apply the inventory management supply chain principles of an organisation.
• Analyse outsourcing trends and best practices related to supply chain and logistics management are analysed.
• Examine various logistics contracts involved in global trade.
• Examine key issues for global supply chains and logistics management.
• Review optimisation strategies required to improve an organisation's performance.

Integrated Assessment

Integrated assessments will combine a number of different elements that require learners to bring together different sets of outcomes of learning into a demonstration of applied competence. Integrated assessments will be emphasised in the Advanced Diploma in Shipping and Logistics because they link to the notion of applied competence which is a central concern of the National Qualification Framework. Applied competence will be achieved by using reflective competence via the compilation of reports, a portfolio of evidence and/or journals.

Integrated assessments will

• Assess a number of outcomes together using written classroom tests, case study reports and/or assignments.
• Assess a number of modules together by using written classroom tests, case study reports and/or assignments.
• Use a number of assessment methods and instruments for an outcome/s.
• Acquire evidence from sources such as portfolios, logbooks and/or journals.

Assessment practices will be open, transparent, fair, valid, reliable and ensure that no learner will be disadvantaged in any way whatsoever, so that an integrated approach to assessment is incorporated in the qualification.

Integrated assessment will support integrated learning. It will develop and measure learners' abilities to not only understand the underpinning theory but also apply it in authentic contexts and reflect on what they are doing and why.