Services Transport, Operations and Logistics

Ship Design And Cargo Operations Fundamentals Training

SAQA US 117638 | NQF 4 | Credits 10 | Duration 7 Days
From $1,523 per delegate

Description

This course provides participants with a comprehensive understanding of ship design principles and cargo operations, focusing on safety, efficiency, and regulatory compliance. Learners will gain the knowledge required to manage cargo handling processes and ensure vessel stability, contributing to safer maritime operations.

Learning Outcomes

  • Apply fundamental ship design principles to assess vessel stability and structural integrity.
  • Analyze cargo stowage and securing methods to ensure safe and efficient operations.
  • Evaluate the impact of cargo types on ship handling and stability.
  • Demonstrate compliance with relevant international maritime regulations and safety standards.
  • Implement cargo loading and discharge plans to optimize operational efficiency.
  • Identify and mitigate risks associated with cargo operations and ship design.

Target Audience

This course is designed for maritime professionals, including ship officers, cargo superintendents, port operations staff, and logistics personnel involved in ship design and cargo operations.

Prerequisites

None — open enrollment. However, basic knowledge of maritime operations is beneficial.

Course Outline

Day 1: Introduction to Ship Design and Naval Architecture

Objectives:
• Understand the historical evolution of ship design.
• Identify key principles of naval architecture.
• Describe ship types and their operational roles.
• Explain the ship design spiral process.

Topics:
• Overview of maritime industry and shipping.
• History of ship design and technological advancements.
• Ship types: cargo vessels, tankers, container ships, bulk carriers.
• Basic naval architecture: buoyancy, stability, hydrostatics.
• The ship design spiral: concept, preliminary, contract, detail design.
• Introduction to regulatory bodies (IMO, SOLAS, MARPOL).

Day 2: Hull Form and Structural Design

Objectives:
• Analyse hull form parameters and their effects.
• Understand structural components and load paths.
• Apply basic structural design principles.
• Recognise materials used in shipbuilding.

Topics:
• Hull form: length, beam, depth, draft, block coefficient.
• Lines plan and offsets.
• Ship structure: keel, frames, girders, plating, bulkheads.
• Longitudinal and transverse strength.
• Materials: steel grades, aluminium, composites.
• Corrosion protection and coating systems.

Day 3: Stability and Trim

Objectives:
• Calculate initial stability (GM) and righting levers.
• Assess intact and damage stability criteria.
• Apply trim calculations for loading conditions.
• Understand stability regulations and codes.

Topics:
• Centres of gravity, buoyancy, and metacentric height.
• Stability curves (GZ curve) and range of stability.
• Free surface effect and its correction.
• Intact stability criteria (IMO IS Code).
• Damage stability: flooding, compartmentation, survivability.
• Trim calculations: change in draft forward/aft.

Day 4: Cargo Operations and Stowage Principles

Objectives:
• Identify cargo types and their handling requirements.
• Plan stowage for stability and efficiency.
• Apply cargo securing principles.
• Understand cargo documentation and procedures.

Topics:
• Cargo types: break bulk, containerised, liquid, dry bulk.
• Stowage planning: weight distribution, segregation.
• Cargo securing: lashing, dunnage, blocking.
• Loading and unloading operations: port equipment, ship gear.
• Cargo documentation: bills of lading, cargo manifests.
• Dangerous goods: classification, segregation, IMDG Code.

Day 5: Ship Propulsion and Power Systems

Objectives:
• Describe main engine types and propulsion systems.
• Understand auxiliary systems and power generation.
• Analyse fuel types and consumption.
• Explain manoeuvring and control systems.

Topics:
• Propulsion systems: diesel, gas turbine, steam, electric.
• Propellers: types, cavitation, efficiency.
• Auxiliary machinery: pumps, compressors, generators.
• Fuel systems: HFO, MDO, LNG, emission controls.
• Steering gear and thrusters.
• Power management and electrical distribution.

Day 6: Ship Operations and Safety Management

Objectives:
• Apply safety management systems (ISM Code).
• Conduct risk assessments for cargo operations.
• Understand emergency procedures and drills.
• Recognise environmental protection measures.

Topics:
• ISM Code: safety management system, audits.
• Risk assessment: hazard identification, mitigation.
• Emergency response: fire, collision, grounding, man overboard.
• Ballast water management and treatment.
• Oil pollution prevention (MARPOL Annex I).
• Personal safety: PPE, permit to work systems.

Day 7: Integrated Design Project and Assessment

Objectives:
• Synthesise knowledge into a preliminary ship design.
• Develop a cargo operations plan.
• Present and defend design choices.
• Complete a summative assessment.

Topics:
• Group project: design a small cargo vessel.
• Hull form selection and general arrangement.
• Stability and trim calculations for a loading condition.
• Cargo stowage plan and securing arrangements.
• Propulsion and power system selection.
• Safety and environmental compliance review.
• Presentation of design and peer feedback.
• Written examination covering all days.

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
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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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