Career in Shipping and Port Management

About Shipping and Port Management

Shipping and Port management which plays a crucial role in international trade and commerce, falls in the department of logistics. As almost 90% of world’s overall trade is done through sea route, these ports need to be managed well. When trade across countries flourished, movement of freight by means of ships was considered the most cost effective means of transport.

This increased the need of professionals in this area to manage port activities. Port Management is a mishmash of transportation, materials and goods handling and storage, ship operations and safety and health management.

Eligibility and Educational Qualification

Educational requirement for this career is post graduation i.e Post graduate Diploma or MBA in shipping and port management. Only those students who are graduates with good marks in science/technology/engineering/management can go for a course in port management. Some institutes allow any degree holders with at least 50% marks provided they qualify the entry level examination. At present the course is available in only a few institutes in India.

Personal attributes

The candidate should possess excellent verbal and written communication skills, decision making ability and a willingness to learn. The ability to work well with all levels of staff, self-motivation, confidence, a high level of numeric ability, and commercial awareness are all very important.

Job prospects

With increasing importance of international trade, the need for skilled individuals to manage ports has increased. Services of shipping and port management professionals are required by both government agencies and private sectors.

One can find work in the shipping and navy departments as ship manager, port captain / manager, Merchant officer etc. Port captain is responsible for the wetting of tankers and cargo supervision. Ship management involves crew management, Technical and commercial management. Technical department is responsible for the smooth, safe and economic operation of vessels. The job profile of a ship manager in the technical department involves preparation and overseeing of dry dock operation.