Freight Logistics Course

Lesson 1 • Freight Transport in Global Trade

Examines how freight movement underpins international commerce and supply chain value creation. Establishes context for all subsequent technical and operational content.

Lesson 2 • Freight Transport and Supply Chain Strategy

Connects transport decisions to broader supply chain objectives such as cost, speed, and reliability. Frames freight as a strategic lever, not merely an operational function.

Lesson 3 • Core Modes of Transport

Introduces road, rail, ocean, air, and pipeline transport as distinct operational systems. Provides the modal vocabulary needed throughout the course.

Lesson 4 • Key Stakeholders and Industry Actors

Maps the ecosystem of shippers, carriers, freight forwarders, brokers, and regulators. Clarifies each actor's responsibilities and decision-making authority.

Lesson 1 • Customs and Trade Compliance Documents

Explains import and export declarations, certificates of origin, and customs invoices. Compliance with cross-border documentation requirements is essential for clearance.

Lesson 2 • Document Management and Digitization

Addresses electronic documentation systems, e-bills of lading, and paperless customs filing. Digital document management reduces errors and accelerates clearance times.

Lesson 3 • Core Shipping Documents

Covers bills of lading, air waybills, consignment notes, and packing lists as foundational freight records. Accurate document preparation prevents delays and liability disputes.

Lesson 4 • Incoterms and Trade Terms

Teaches internationally recognised trade terms that define risk and cost transfer between buyer and seller. Correct Incoterms selection directly affects freight cost allocation.

Lesson 1 • Ocean Freight Rates and Surcharges

Decodes base freight rates, bunker surcharges, port congestion fees, and peak season charges. Rate literacy is essential for accurate cost forecasting and carrier negotiation.

Lesson 2 • Bulk and Break-Bulk Ocean Shipping

Introduces dry bulk, liquid bulk, and break-bulk cargo handling as alternatives to containerisation. Cargo type determines vessel selection and stowage planning.

Lesson 3 • Port Operations and Terminal Processes

Describes container terminal workflows, gate procedures, and vessel loading sequences. Port process knowledge reduces demurrage and detention exposure.

Lesson 4 • Liner Services and Vessel Scheduling

Covers shipping line alliances, port rotation, and schedule reliability metrics. Understanding liner networks enables accurate transit time planning.

Lesson 1 • Air Cargo Pricing and Chargeable Weight

Explains volumetric weight, density factor, and all-in rate construction. Accurate chargeable weight calculation prevents billing disputes and budget overruns.

Lesson 2 • Unit Load Devices and Build-Up

Covers ULD types, tare weights, and cargo build-up procedures for efficient aircraft loading. Proper ULD planning maximises payload and minimises handling damage.

Lesson 3 • Air Cargo Acceptance and Handling

Details acceptance checks, dangerous goods screening, and temperature-sensitive cargo protocols. Compliance at acceptance prevents flight delays and regulatory penalties.

Lesson 4 • Air Freight Network and Capacity

Maps belly cargo, freighter aircraft, and integrator networks as the three capacity sources. Network structure determines routing options and transit time possibilities.

Lesson 1 • Road Freight Planning and Routing

Addresses route optimisation, load planning, and driver hours regulations. Effective planning reduces fuel cost, transit time, and compliance risk.

Lesson 2 • Cross-Border Surface Transport

Covers customs transit procedures, border crossing documentation, and cabotage restrictions for international road and rail movements. Border compliance prevents costly delays.

Lesson 3 • Road Freight Vehicle Types and Selection

Covers flatbeds, curtainsiders, refrigerated units, tankers, and heavy-lift vehicles. Vehicle selection is driven by cargo dimensions, weight, and temperature requirements.

Lesson 4 • Road Freight Costing and Pricing

Breaks down fixed and variable cost components, fuel surcharges, and spot versus contract pricing. Cost transparency enables accurate freight budget management.

Lesson 1 • Multimodal versus Intermodal Concepts

Distinguishes multimodal transport contracts from intermodal physical operations. Clarity on these concepts prevents contractual and operational misalignment.

Lesson 2 • Freight Consolidation and Deconsolidation

Explains LCL consolidation, groupage services, and cross-docking as tools for cost reduction. Consolidation decisions affect transit time, handling risk, and total cost.

Lesson 3 • Intermodal Equipment and Interfaces

Covers swap bodies, ISO containers, and terminal transfer equipment at modal interchange points. Equipment compatibility is critical for seamless mode transitions.

Lesson 4 • Sea-Air and Air-Road Combinations

Analyses sea-air and air-road hybrid solutions for time-sensitive, cost-constrained shipments. Hybrid routing balances speed and cost when neither pure mode is optimal.

Lesson 1 • Freight Market Structure and Dynamics

Analyses carrier market concentration, cyclical pricing, and capacity dynamics across modes. Market literacy is the foundation for effective procurement strategy.

Lesson 2 • RFQ and Tender Management

Guides the design of freight RFQs, lane data preparation, and bid evaluation methodology. A structured tender process yields competitive rates and comparable proposals.

Lesson 3 • Carrier Qualification and Selection

Covers financial stability checks, safety records, service coverage, and technology capability as carrier evaluation criteria. Rigorous qualification reduces operational and reputational risk.

Lesson 4 • Carrier Performance Management

Establishes KPIs, review cadences, and corrective action processes for ongoing carrier governance. Continuous performance management sustains service quality and cost discipline.

Lesson 1 • Leading Freight Transformation Projects

Applies project management and change management principles to freight improvement initiatives. Students develop skills to lead cross-functional freight optimisation programmes.

Lesson 2 • Freight Risk Management

Identifies supply chain disruption risks, cargo insurance options, and business continuity planning for freight. Proactive risk management reduces financial exposure and recovery time.

Lesson 3 • Sustainable Freight and Decarbonisation

Addresses carbon measurement, alternative fuels, modal shift, and shipper sustainability commitments. Decarbonisation is now a core freight strategy requirement for major shippers.

Lesson 4 • Total Cost of Freight Ownership

Expands cost analysis beyond freight rates to include inventory, handling, damage, and compliance costs. Total cost thinking prevents suboptimal mode and carrier decisions.

Lesson 5 • Freight Network Design Principles

Covers origin-destination analysis, hub configuration, and modal mix optimisation for network design. Network structure determines long-term cost and service performance.