Services Transport, Operations and Logistics

Role and Function of a Port Authority in Maritime Transport Training

SAQA US 244456 | NQF 5 | Credits 6 | Duration 3 Days
From $967 per delegate

Description

This course provides a comprehensive understanding of the role and functions of a port authority in the maritime transport sector. It equips learners with the knowledge to describe the key responsibilities, governance structures, and operational activities of port authorities, as well as their impact on trade and logistics. The course is designed to enhance the learner's ability to analyse port operations and contribute effectively to the maritime industry.

Learning Outcomes

  • Describe the legal and regulatory framework governing port authorities in South Africa.
  • Explain the core functions of a port authority, including navigation, security, and infrastructure management.
  • Analyse the role of a port authority in promoting trade and economic development.
  • Evaluate the governance structures and stakeholder relationships within a port authority.
  • Demonstrate understanding of the operational activities such as vessel traffic management and cargo handling.
  • Apply knowledge of port authority functions to real-world scenarios in maritime transport.

Target Audience

This course is ideal for professionals working in maritime transport, logistics, port management, or related fields who need a foundational understanding of port authority operations. It is also suitable for individuals seeking to enter the maritime sector or enhance their knowledge of port governance.

Prerequisites

None — open enrollment.

Course Outline

Day 1: Introduction to Port Authorities and Their Mandate

Objectives:
• Define the role and function of a port authority in the maritime transport system
• Identify the key stakeholders and governance structures of a port authority
• Explain the legal and regulatory framework governing port operations in South Africa
• Describe the economic and strategic importance of ports to national and regional trade

Topics:
• Overview of the maritime transport chain and the role of ports
• Functions of a port authority: landlord, regulator, operator, and developer
• Stakeholders: shipping lines, terminal operators, customs, and logistics providers
• Legal framework: National Ports Act, port regulations, and international conventions
• Economic impact: trade facilitation, job creation, and GDP contribution
• Port governance models: service port, tool port, landlord port
• Case study: Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) as South Africa's port authority

Day 2: Port Operations, Infrastructure, and Services

Objectives:
• Explain port infrastructure components and their functions
• Describe port services: pilotage, towage, mooring, and cargo handling
• Analyse port performance metrics and efficiency indicators
• Discuss environmental and safety management in port operations

Topics:
• Port infrastructure: quays, berths, breakwaters, channels, and terminals
• Cargo handling equipment: cranes, straddle carriers, and conveyors
• Marine services: pilotage, tug assistance, and mooring
• Port safety: ISPS Code, port security, and emergency response
• Environmental management: pollution control, dredging, and sustainability initiatives
• Performance indicators: turnaround time, dwell time, and berth occupancy
• Technology in ports: Port Community Systems, VTS, and automation

Day 3: Strategic Role, Planning, and Stakeholder Engagement

Objectives:
• Evaluate the strategic role of port authorities in trade and economic development
• Describe port planning processes: master planning, capacity expansion, and development
• Apply stakeholder engagement techniques for effective port management
• Analyse case studies on port authority challenges and best practices

Topics:
• Strategic planning: port master plans, PPPs, and funding models
• Trade facilitation: customs integration, cargo clearance, and corridor development
• Stakeholder management: port users, communities, and government
• Risk management: business continuity, insurance, and crisis management
• Case studies: Port of Durban expansion, Port of Cape Town challenges
• Future trends: digitalisation, green ports, and regional integration
• Course review and assessment

Practicals

No practicals for this training.

This course is made up of exercises and case studies delivered alongside the theory — no separate practical sessions are required to complete it.

Summatives

Each delegate is assessed continuously throughout the course and a final summative test at the end.

Daily Exercises — 30%

Every training day ends with a multiple-choice exercise scored out of 100%. The scores from each daily exercise are averaged across the duration of the course to produce a Daily Average mark, which contributes 30% to the final total.

Final Test — 70%

On the last day a final summative test is written. It is a multiple-choice paper with multiple-answer questions: each question may have more than one correct option, and a single wrong selection on a question marks the entire question wrong — no partial credit. The final test is scored out of 100% and contributes 70% to the overall mark.

Final Total
Component Out of Weight
Daily Average (multiple choice) 100% 30%
Final Test (multi-answer multiple choice) 100% 70%
Final Total 100%

All marks are recorded on the AATICD LMS and visible to each learner under their account.

Certificate

Certificate of Completion

Awarded to delegates who achieve an overall mark of 50% or higher on the Final Total (Daily Average 30% + Final Test 70%).

How it works
  • Certificates are auto-generated on the AATICD LMS as soon as the marks pass the 50% threshold.
  • Each certificate is a branded PDF with the delegate's name, the course title, the unit standard ID, NQF level, credits, and the date of issue.
  • You can download or print your certificate from your LMS dashboard at any time after issue — there's no reissue fee and no expiry date.
  • If you scored under 50% you can sit the final test again at the next scheduled session at no extra cost.
Where to find it

Sign in to the LMS, open your dashboard, and your certificates appear under My Certificates. Each entry has a View / Download button and a print option.

Training Discounts

Group discounts apply automatically — the more delegates you enrol, the greater the saving. Discounts are calculated at 3% per 5 delegates, scaling up to 40% off for 100+ delegates.

Delegates Discount
5 3% off
10 6% off
15 9% off
20 12% off
25 15% off
30 18% off
50 30% off
75 35% off
100 40% off

3% discount per 5 delegates, up to 40% off for 100+ delegates. Contact us for a custom group quote.

Upcoming Training Sessions
Online training — attend live sessions from anywhere via our virtual classroom.
Start End Delivery Season Price Action
Wed 09 Sep 2026 Fri 11 Sep 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $967 Register
Tue 29 Sep 2026 Thu 01 Oct 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $967 Register
Mon 19 Oct 2026 Wed 21 Oct 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $967 Register
Wed 09 Dec 2026 Fri 11 Dec 2026 Virtual Summer 2026 $967 Register
Tue 12 Jan 2027 Thu 14 Jan 2027 Virtual Summer 2026 $967 Register
Mon 15 Feb 2027 Wed 17 Feb 2027 Virtual Summer 2026 $967 Register
Wed 03 Mar 2027 Fri 05 Mar 2027 Virtual Autumn 2027 $967 Register
Tue 09 Mar 2027 Thu 11 Mar 2027 Virtual Autumn 2027 $967 Register
Mon 15 Mar 2027 Wed 17 Mar 2027 Virtual Autumn 2027 $967 Register
Wed 09 Jun 2027 Fri 11 Jun 2027 Virtual Winter 2027 $967 Register
Tue 29 Jun 2027 Thu 01 Jul 2027 Virtual Winter 2027 $967 Register
Mon 19 Jul 2027 Wed 21 Jul 2027 Virtual Winter 2027 $967 Register
Wed 08 Sep 2027 Fri 10 Sep 2027 Virtual Spring 2027 $967 Register
Tue 28 Sep 2027 Thu 30 Sep 2027 Virtual Spring 2027 $967 Register
Mon 18 Oct 2027 Wed 20 Oct 2027 Virtual Spring 2027 $967 Register
Wed 08 Dec 2027 Fri 10 Dec 2027 Virtual Summer 2027 $967 Register
Tue 28 Dec 2027 Thu 30 Dec 2027 Virtual Summer 2027 $967 Register
Mon 17 Jan 2028 Wed 19 Jan 2028 Virtual Summer 2027 $967 Register
On-Campus training — face-to-face sessions at our training venues across Africa and beyond.
Showing all 496 sessions across 26 venues
Start End Venue Season Price Action
Tue 04 Aug 2026 Thu 06 Aug 2026 Dubai, UAE Winter 2026 $4,552 Register
Tue 04 Aug 2026 Thu 06 Aug 2026 Johannesburg, South Africa Winter 2026 $1,906 Register
Wed 05 Aug 2026 Fri 07 Aug 2026 Pretoria, South Africa Winter 2026 $1,447 Register
Wed 05 Aug 2026 Fri 07 Aug 2026 Mauritius Winter 2026 $3,148 Register
Mon 10 Aug 2026 Wed 12 Aug 2026 Durban, South Africa Winter 2026 $2,230 Register
In-House training — we bring the trainer to your organisation, tailored to your team.
Start End Delivery Season Price Action
Mon 14 Sep 2026 Wed 16 Sep 2026 Your Premises Spring 2026 $1,258 Register
Wed 07 Oct 2026 Fri 09 Oct 2026 Your Premises Spring 2026 $1,258 Register
Tue 27 Oct 2026 Thu 29 Oct 2026 Your Premises Spring 2026 $1,258 Register
Mon 14 Dec 2026 Wed 16 Dec 2026 Your Premises Summer 2026 $1,258 Register
Wed 20 Jan 2027 Fri 22 Jan 2027 Your Premises Summer 2026 $1,258 Register
Tue 23 Feb 2027 Thu 25 Feb 2027 Your Premises Summer 2026 $1,258 Register
Mon 08 Mar 2027 Wed 10 Mar 2027 Your Premises Autumn 2027 $1,258 Register
Wed 17 Mar 2027 Fri 19 Mar 2027 Your Premises Autumn 2027 $1,258 Register
Tue 23 Mar 2027 Thu 25 Mar 2027 Your Premises Autumn 2027 $1,258 Register
Mon 14 Jun 2027 Wed 16 Jun 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $1,258 Register
Wed 07 Jul 2027 Fri 09 Jul 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $1,258 Register
Tue 27 Jul 2027 Thu 29 Jul 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $1,258 Register
Mon 13 Sep 2027 Wed 15 Sep 2027 Your Premises Spring 2027 $1,258 Register
Wed 06 Oct 2027 Fri 08 Oct 2027 Your Premises Spring 2027 $1,258 Register
Tue 26 Oct 2027 Thu 28 Oct 2027 Your Premises Spring 2027 $1,258 Register
Mon 13 Dec 2027 Wed 15 Dec 2027 Your Premises Summer 2027 $1,258 Register
Wed 05 Jan 2028 Fri 07 Jan 2028 Your Premises Summer 2027 $1,258 Register
Tue 25 Jan 2028 Thu 27 Jan 2028 Your Premises Summer 2027 $1,258 Register
Training Discounts
Delegates Discount
5 3% off
10 6% off
15 9% off
20 12% off
25 15% off
30 18% off
50 30% off
75 35% off
100 40% off

3% off per 5 delegates, up to 40% for 100+

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