OVERVIEW

The course introduces students to the most significant and topical issues in the discipline by introducing them to the various maritime transport markets (passenger and freight; liner and demand transport), the variables that define their short- and long-term trends and the costs associated with ship construction and operation.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course provides students with basic knowledge about the economics of shipping and the specificities of the industry and its contribution to international trade and economic growth, both at global and local scale. During the course, the evolution of the maritime industry will also be linked to the ongoing technological and organisational changes and the achievement of the 2030 Agenda goals.  

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims at providing students with the fundamental and preparatory knowledge for an in-depth analysis of the functioning of the complex maritime transport system. 

In particular, as more extensively described in the teaching programme/content, the sector is analysed from the point of view of the determinants that influence the demand - in its economic and political aspects - and the supply of maritime transport. In-depth studies are devoted to the shipbuilding industry, the theory of optimal ship size and the effects of the implementation of new practices and technologies in the industry. 

At the end of the course the student will be able to analyse transport problems using properly the categories of economic analysis, and to identify problems, critical issues and solutions in the context of possible case studies submitted to his/her attention.

Case studies and group work will enable the development of alphabetical-functional competence at an advanced level

PREREQUISITES

No prerequisites are necessary

TEACHING METHODS

Lectures, interactive teaching, and (on a voluntary basis) participation in workshops, individual or group research.

Attending students who develop case studies will have the opportunity to work on alphabetical-functional competence at an advanced level.

Working students and students with certified Specific Learning Disorders, disability or other special educational needs are advised to contact the teachers at the beginning of the course to agree on teaching and examination methods that, while respecting the teaching objectives, take into account individual learning patterns

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Introduction: How transport affects economy and society. 

Part I: International trade and sea transport flows. The economic and political determinants of transport demand. The role of canals (Suez, Panama), straits (Malacca, Gibraltar) and ports in ocean navigation. 

Part II: Sea transport. The segments of sea transport: bulk, liner, special transports. Cruise transport. The organisation of the supply: analysis of the fleet for the different market segments, chartering contracts, determination of the freight rate. 

Part III: Ship life cycle. Ship construction, operation and demolition costs. The optimal ship size. Determinants of shipbuilding industry cycles. 

Part IV: The organisation of sea transport. Conference agreements, consortia and alliances in liner shipping. The actors involved in the maritime supply chain. 

Part V: Innovation and maritime transport. The characteristics of the innovation process in the maritime industry. Barriers to innovation. Organisational and social effects. Policies and Trends. IMO and UNSDG. Case studies (including: new fuels, IoT, automation, digitisation).

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

In addition to slides and other teaching material distributed in class, the textbook "Maritime Economics" by Martin Stopford, last edition, Routledge.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

CLAUDIO FERRARI (President)

LUCA PERSICO

ALESSIO TEI (President Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Lessons will start in the second semester in accordance with the official calendar

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

For students attending the lectures, examinations may include written tests, oral interviews, short essays, and workshops on topics that combine the application of concepts and problems addressed in the course with an in-depth study of specific themes proposed to the student, also linked to current events in the world of sea transport. The detailed schedule will be communicated at the beginning of the course on Aulaweb.

For students not attending lectures, examinations will consist in an oral examination

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The examination is aimed at ascertaining the student's understanding of the concepts discussed in the course and his or her ability to return them, even in synthetic form.

Exam schedule