Anatomy of Container Logistics

Container shipping has powered the expansion of World trade and set China on a export growth path perhaps unmatched in history. Without these dynamic changes, all shipping markets would have been less buoyant in recent years.

So what are the prospects for the container sector as the orderbook deliveries continue to erode freight rate potential? Who’s in control of where the industry is going: lines with their expansionist strategies or shippers with their high public profile and influence in political circles? How will the demise of the conference system in Europe test the competitive nature of the business? These and many other questions will be explored during the course which will highlight the following key topics:

congestion and the impact on schedule keeping
demise of conferences and the rise of consortia arrangements
supply chain management methods and their application by lines, NVOCCs and forwarders
e-commerce and its contribution to business performance
intermediaries and infomediaries (3PL/4PL business providers) growing stake in the container business
heightened security arrangements and their effect on the movement of goods internationally

Case Study and Business Game

The Case Study has been developed as a business simulation and is an integral part of the course helping to give practical insight into the complex factors influencing container profitability. The Cambridge Container Line operates a service on the North Atlantic and is seeking to improve its bottom line. Parameters influencing profitability will be highlighted including: ports served, port and terminal charges, frequency of calls, type of service and ship size/speed. In teams participants will compete in an effort to produce the best profit/loss accounts which will be analysed for their sensitivity to operational parameters. Of particular interest will be the effect on profitability of container imbalances and the methods employed to minimize their impact.

Download the Programme

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Course information

2009 dates

To be confirmed

Course fees

The current fee for this residential programme is £2820 (£2400 plus £420 Value Added Tax) and covers tuition, documentation, private en-suite accommodation at Selwyn College, all meals and a social programme. A rendezvous has been arranged at a central London hotel following which there is complimentary transport to Cambridge.

The course was a unique experience which gave us a large amount of information about the shipping industry, by the best team of lecturers. I feel more confident to take on new responsibilities in my career.