- info@whitestoneinternationalcollege.org.uk
- +44 20 3727 6493
- Mon - Fri : 08.00-17.00
Whitestone International College of Innovation delivers quality-assured, standards-aligned programmes that integrate academic rigour, industry relevance, and digital fluency to develop principled leaders who deliver measurable impact.
- London, United kingdom
- +44 20 3727 6493
-
Info@whitestoneinternational
college.org.uk
United States
United Arab Emirates
India
Courses
Professional Diploma in Shipping Operations, Chartering & Marine Commercial Practice
The Professional Diploma in Shipping Operations, Chartering & Marine Commercial Practice equips
professionals to manage end-to-end maritime trade—from voyage planning and cargo
documentation to charter party negotiation, laytime calculations, claims handling, and risk
management.
Course Overview
The Professional Diploma in Shipping Operations, Chartering & Marine Commercial Practice equips
professionals to manage end-to-end maritime trade—from voyage planning and cargo
documentation to charter party negotiation, laytime calculations, claims handling, and risk
management. The programme blends operational know-how with commercial acumen so learners
can optimise cost, time, and risk across liner, tramp, and tanker markets.
Why This Course is Important?
- Trade lifeline: Maritime transport moves ~80–90% of global trade by volume; capable operators reduce total landed cost and delays.
- Commercial leverage: Strong chartering and contract management protect margins and reduce disputes.
- Risk & compliance: Sound knowledge of marine insurance, sanctions, and compliance prevents costly incidents.
- Career impact: Readies professionals for roles in ship operations, chartering, brokerage, and marine claims.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this programme, participants will be able to:
- Plan and execute voyage and time-charter operations, including bunker planning and port call optimisation.
- Interpret and negotiate key charter party clauses (e.g., GENCON, SHELLTIME, ASBATANKVOY) and addenda.
- Calculate laytime and demurrage/despatch accurately for bulk, tanker, and general cargo trades.
- Manage cargo documentation and trade terms (Bills of Lading, Letters of Credit, Incoterms® 2020).
- Navigate marine insurance (H&M, P&I, cargo, war risk) and handle notice of readiness, off- hire, and performance claims.
- Apply risk, compliance, and sanctions screening; understand SOLAS/MARPOL/ISPS interfaces with commercial operations.
- Use market analytics (freight indices, spot vs period rates, FFA basics) to inform chartering decisions and hedging.
Target Audience
- Ship Operators and Port/Agency Professionals
- Chartering Executives, Dry/Wet Brokers, and Traders
- Marine Claims & Insurance Handlers
- Freight Forwarders, NVOCC, and Liner Trade Managers
- Bank/LC Officers and Logistics/Compliance Specialists entering maritime
Entry Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience in shipping, logistics, trade, or finance.
- Familiarity with maritime operations or commercial contracts recommended.
- English proficiency (IELTS 5.5 or equivalent suggested).
Programme Structure & Modules
- Liner vs tramp vs tanker economics; market cycles and seasonality
- Vessel types and cargo characteristics; routing and canal constraints
- Freight indices, benchmarks, and market intelligence
- Voyage estimating, bunker planning, weather and speed management
- Port call coordination: agents, pilots, berth windows, documentation
- Performance monitoring, deviation, off-hire, claims prevention
- Forms and clauses: GENCON, NYPE, SHELLTIME, ASBATANKVOY, BALTIME
- Fixture process, recap, subjects, lifting; rider clauses and warranties
- Practical negotiation playbook and case simulations
- Statement of Facts (SOF), time counting, exceptions, WIPON/WIBON
- Bulk and tanker examples with reversible laytime and NOR issues
- Dispute scenarios and settlement approaches
- Bills of Lading (functions, risks, LOIs), charter party bills
- Letters of Credit (UCP 600), documentary collections, bank compliance
- Incoterms® 2020 and risk/ownership transfer across the voyage
- H&M, P&I, cargo insurance; GA, salvage, and limitation
- Claims process: notice, evidence, mitigation; average adjusters
- Sanctions, AML, due diligence, and KYC for fixtures
- SOLAS, MARPOL (EEXI/CII), ISM/ISPS; vetting and rightship/OCIMF basics
- Decarbonisation pathways, fuel choices, and emissions reporting
- Safety culture and human factors in commercial decisions
- FFAs and bunker hedging fundamentals
- Portfolio strategy: spot vs period, COA, optionality
- Pricing, exposure management, and P&L control
Awarding Body
Whitestone International College of Innovation
United Kingdom
Qualification Type
Professional Diploma – Postgraduate Level Qualification
(Industry-aligned, regulated qualification issued by Whitestone International College of Innovation, UK)
Delivery Mode
Classroom – London (UK) / Dubai (UAE) campuses
Live Online – Instructor-led virtual sessions
Blended Learning –Pre-study materials + workshops + capstone project
Duration
10–12 weeks (full-time) or 4–6 months (part-time blended)
Total Learning Hours: 180–200 hours
- Assessment: Individual assignments + capstone dossier presentation
- Certification: Upon successful completion, participants receive the Professional Diploma in
- Shipping Operations, Chartering & Marine Commercial Practice from Whitestone International College of Innovation (UK).
- UK-issued Professional Diploma recognised internationally
- Immediate tools: voyage estimate model, laytime calculator, charter party clause bank, documentation checklist
- Reduced dispute risk and improved fixture quality
- Portfolio artefacts to support career progression
Aligned with BIMCO forms/clauses and guidance, Incoterms® 2020, UCP 600 (trade finance), P&I club best practice, SOLAS/MARPOL/ISM/ISPS frameworks, and IMO decarbonisation measures.
Programme Fees
Clear Fee Structure With No Hidden Costs
£
975
Per Course
-
Industry-focused programmes with global standards.
-
Practical skills for real-world success.
-
Academic excellence with career-ready outcomes.
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