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 in the heady years prior to the Credit Crunch.

So what are the prospects for the container sector, for whilst order book deliveries may have slowed, both volumes and utilization levels are again on the rise? 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? Having successfully shackled the Conference System, will European bureaucrats now seek to limit the activities of Consortia and Vessel Sharing Agreements? How might Asian Governments react to the calls from the various Shippers' Councils to follow the European precedence for liner shipping reform? These and many other questions will be explored during the seminar which will highlight the following key topics:

slow steaming and its 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
selection of carrier partners and contractual negotiations
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 Simulation

The Case Study has been developed as a business simulation and is an integral part of the programme helping to give practical insight into the complex factors influencing container profitability. The Cambridge Container Line operates a service on the main Asia – Europe trade 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.

The effect on profitability of container imbalances and the methods employed to minimize their impact will also be analysed. Of particular interest to shippers and cargo interests will be the revelation of the economic forces which account for much of shipping lines’ strategic decisions in recent years.

Port Visit

This optional half-day visit has been arranged to the Port of Felixstowe, operated by Hutchinson Ports (UK) Ltd, the UK division of the largest port and container terminal operator in the World. After a short introductory lecture on the features of a terminal, a tour of the facilities will be undertaken highlighting container yard operation, stack management, landside and shipside equipment, quayside cranes and berth utilisation.

Download the Programme

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Course information

2010 dates

5-9 September 2010 at Selwyn College

Course fees

The fee for this residential programme is £3407.50 (£2900 plus £507.50 UK Value Added Tax) which 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.