Ship Management Course

Lesson 1 • Shore-Side Management Structure

Maps the departments within a ship management company and their interfaces. Students understand how shore and sea teams coordinate daily operations.

Lesson 2 • The Global Shipping Industry

Overview of maritime trade, cargo segments, and market dynamics. Provides the industry context needed for all subsequent management topics.

Lesson 3 • Roles and Responsibilities Onboard

Defines the shipboard hierarchy from master to ratings and their management duties. Establishes accountability structures referenced throughout the course.

Lesson 4 • Vessel Types and Their Operations

Covers tankers, bulk carriers, container ships, and specialized vessels. Links vessel design to operational and management requirements.

Lesson 1 • Safety and Pollution Conventions

Covers the core safety-of-life-at-sea and pollution prevention conventions. Students identify certificate requirements and compliance timelines.

Lesson 2 • Flag State and Classification Societies

Distinguishes flag-state statutory duties from classification society technical surveys. Students manage survey schedules and maintain class status.

Lesson 3 • Crew Certification and Labor Standards

Addresses seafarer certification, watch-keeping standards, and labor rights. Links crew compliance to vessel trading eligibility.

Lesson 4 • International Maritime Organization Overview

Explains the IMO's mandate, structure, and rule-making process. Connects international conventions to day-to-day ship management obligations.

Lesson 1 • Internal Audits and Continuous Improvement

Trains students to plan and conduct SMS internal audits and close findings. Connects audit outcomes to ongoing safety performance improvement.

Lesson 2 • ISM Code Principles and Requirements

Explains the International Safety Management Code structure and mandatory elements. Provides the regulatory foundation for all SMS design work.

Lesson 3 • Emergency Preparedness and Response

Covers contingency planning for fire, flooding, collision, and man-overboard events. Students design drills and evaluate response effectiveness.

Lesson 4 • Accident Investigation and Reporting

Applies root-cause analysis methods to maritime accidents and near-misses. Students produce investigation reports and corrective action plans.

Lesson 1 • Hull and Machinery Inspections

Covers underwater hull surveys, machinery condition monitoring, and thickness gauging. Students interpret survey findings and plan corrective work.

Lesson 2 • Machinery Failure and Troubleshooting

Applies failure mode analysis to main engine, auxiliary, and deck machinery faults. Students develop troubleshooting protocols and repair strategies.

Lesson 3 • Dry-Docking Planning and Execution

Guides students through dry-dock specification writing, yard selection, and on-site supervision. Links dry-dock outcomes to class renewal and hull performance.

Lesson 4 • Planned Maintenance Systems

Introduces computerized planned maintenance systems and maintenance scheduling logic. Students configure maintenance intervals and assign responsibilities.

Lesson 1 • Seafarer Welfare and Mental Health

Examines fatigue, isolation, and mental health risks unique to seafarers. Students implement welfare programs and access support networks.

Lesson 2 • Seafarer Recruitment and Selection

Covers sourcing strategies, competency-based interviewing, and pre-employment screening. Students build recruitment pipelines for different vessel types.

Lesson 3 • Seafarer Contracts and Employment Terms

Addresses employment agreement structure, wage scales, and collective bargaining. Students draft compliant contracts aligned with international labor standards.

Lesson 4 • Manning Levels and Crew Planning

Explains safe manning certificates, relief scheduling, and rotation planning. Students produce crewing matrices that balance cost and compliance.

Lesson 1 • Claims Handling and Recovery

Guides students through claim notification, evidence preservation, and settlement negotiation. Covers subrogation and recovery actions against third parties.

Lesson 2 • Protection and Indemnity Cover

Explains P&I club membership, mutual structure, and covered liabilities. Students identify when P&I cover applies and manage club correspondence.

Lesson 3 • Hull and Machinery Insurance

Covers H&M policy scope, agreed value versus market value, and deductibles. Students assess coverage gaps and negotiate renewal terms.

Lesson 4 • Cargo and Freight Insurance

Addresses cargo policy types, carrier liability limits, and freight insurance. Students advise shippers and charterers on appropriate coverage levels.

Lesson 1 • Laytime, Demurrage, and Dispatch

Explains laytime calculation, demurrage accrual, and dispatch entitlements. Students resolve laytime disputes using charter party language.

Lesson 2 • Voyage Estimation and Profitability

Teaches voyage cost calculation, break-even freight rates, and TCE analysis. Students build voyage estimates to evaluate commercial opportunities.

Lesson 3 • Vessel Deployment and Fleet Optimization

Applies portfolio thinking to multi-vessel deployment across trades and seasons. Students balance commercial returns against operational constraints.

Lesson 4 • Freight Markets and Rate Analysis

Analyzes spot and period freight markets, indices, and rate drivers. Students interpret market data to support commercial decision-making.

Lesson 1 • Cash Flow and Treasury Management

Manages vessel cash flow, owner advances, and foreign exchange exposure. Students build cash flow forecasts and recommend treasury controls.

Lesson 2 • Capital Expenditure and Vessel Valuation

Applies net present value and payback analysis to major vessel investments. Students evaluate dry-dock, retrofit, and newbuilding decisions financially.

Lesson 3 • Vessel Accounting and Financial Reporting

Covers vessel-level profit and loss, owner disbursement accounts, and audit trails. Students produce monthly financial reports for vessel owners.

Lesson 4 • Budget Preparation and Control

Guides students through annual budget construction, approval, and variance monitoring. Links budget discipline to management fee structures.