LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course, paving on a managerial approach, aims to analyse the operations and strategies of firms operating in maritime sectors. The course focuses on main theoretical concepts and perspectives related to transport demand and segmentation, transport capacity deployment and management, marketing, as well as competitive and growth strategies. Emphasis will be given to multinational corporations operating in the transport sectors, diversifying risk and their business portfolio.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Attendance and active participation in the proposed training activities (lessons, business cases and business testimonials) and individual study will allow the student to:

• know in depth the different businesses in which the maritime port cluster is articulated and in particular recognize the specificities of the different sectors (tramp vs. liner shipping);
• apply the main theoretical constructs and conceptual models inherent to the management of shipping companies both considering extraordinary and day-by-day type operations;
• identify the main players in the shipping supply chain, understanding their role and critical success factors;
• acquire appropriate terminology in relation to strategic, technical and managerial profiles about shipping companies (e.g., basic strategic options, growth strategies, collaborative agreements, etc.);
• know and empirically apply the main theoretical models aimed at examining the shipping market and applying dominant marketing techniques;
• know and empirically apply the main theoretical models to properly manage the generation of positive revenues and cash flows originated by the ship (e.g.; chartering, line services, etc.);
• know and empirically apply the main theoretical models aimed at properly structuring costs and managing the operational processes that characterize the ship;
• monitor and control the ship's capability to generate positive cash flows through the voyage/trip using technical and management tools such as voyage cash flow analysis;
• identify opportunities to optimise and improve the overall corporate performances of shipping companies;
• apply the main theoretical constructs for understanding the operational, technical and strategic implications on port activities and inland logistics services imposed by the increasing use of mega-ships;
• assess opportunities for energy efficiency and green strategies, during the navigation and in port areas, related to the management of the ship, its equipment (e.g., the main engine and auxiliary systems, etc.) and the loading/unloading operations of cargoes and the embarking/disembarking of passengers.

PREREQUISITES

There are no specific prerequisites for this course, taking into account its specificities respect to the overall educational programme.

TEACHING METHODS

Lessons (which will be held according to the current applicable legislation via distance learning), analysis of best/common cases and company testimonials. In particular, the course is based on telematics lessons, related to theoretical in-depth parts, and company testimonials focused on the operational management of the ship and the adoption of strategic decisions related to shipping companies.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The course is aimed at acquiring the managerial know-how for the efficient management of shipping companies, considering the specificities of the different businesses in which the industry is articulated. The course, in particular, involves lessons held by Prof. Giovanni Satta.

The course program includes 8 parts:

Part I – The different sectors of the shipping industry: maritime services, ship types and port terminals

Part II – The actors of the maritime-port cluster: roles, business activities and responsibilities

Part III – Shipping operations: management profiles, processes and activities

Part IV – Corporate and business strategies in the shipping industry

Part V – Revenue generation in the shipping industry

Part VI – The cost structure of shipping companies

Part VII – Cash flow generation and control regarding the ship asset

Part VIII – Energy management and sustainability in the maritime and port industries.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Slides provided during the lessons and other teaching materials will be made available for students in the specific section on “aulaweb” dedicated to the course. For attending students, the notes taken during the lessons and the documentation made available on aulaweb constitute sufficient material for the exam preparation.

Professor will indicate the textbooks and additional teaching materials at the beginning of the lessons.