Unit title: Cargo and Port Operations

Credit points: 20 Unit code: WDD008

FHEQ level: 5 School: Maritime Science and

Engineering
Unit designation: Traditional Programme group: Academic and
Certification Programmes
(WMA)
Unit delivery model: CD

Max & Min Student N/A

no.:

TOTAL STUDENT WORKLOAD

Students are required to attend and participate in all the formal scheduled sessions for the
unit. Students are also expected to manage their directed learning and independent study
in support of the unit.

PRE-REQUISITES AND CO-REQUISITES:

None

UNIT DESCRIPTION
This unit builds on the knowledge and understanding acquired in the cargo elements of the
Cargo Operations unit. It develops the knowledge and understanding required by a senior
officer when carrying out responsibility for the planning, loading, handling, stowage, carriage,
custody, care and discharge of wet and dry cargoes. To meet these requirements the unit
includes exposure to regulations, codes, conventions and other legal instruments that pertain
to port and cargo operations and to the commercial and legal penalties that may apply to their
non-compliance.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
On successful completion of the unit, students should be able to:

Knowledge and Understanding

K1 Demonstrate a thorough knowledge and understanding required by a senior officer of
the requirements for the safe carriage of cargoes by sea on a variety of ship and cargo
types.
K2 Identify and apply the legal requirements for the safe carriage of cargoes by sea.

Cognitive Skills
C1 Use judgement in examining and analyzing the factors that contribute to a safe and
commercially-viable voyage.

Practical and Professional skills

P1 Plan cargo carrying operations efficiently with clear regard to safety and commercial
factors.

Transferable Skills
T1 Independently carry out professional research and present information and findings
convincingly through a report in appropriate format, accurately referenced.

AREAS OF STUDY
Planning
How to create cargo plans for a variety of cargo types to ensure they meet legal and
commercial requirements.

Loading
Overseeing the loading of cargo to ensure that only cargo that meets the description in the Bill
of Lading or other cargo documents is loaded.

Handling
To ensure that cargo is handled in such a way that it reduces to a minimum the possibility of
injury to personnel and damage to the cargo, the ship and cargo handling equipment. There
should be good understanding of the strengths and limitations of ship and shore cargo handling
equipment.

Stowage
Effect the safe stowage of cargo in compliance with the cargo plan and statutory requirements.

Carriage
Understand and implement the means available for monitoring cargo condition during transit.

Custody
Ensuring that all packaged cargo is placed and secured to prevent, so far as is practicable,
damage, theft or pilferage.

Care
Carrying out regular checks of cargo condition at all stages of the voyage.

Discharge
Take as much care during discharge as when loading. Ensure that cargo is only delivered to the
rightful owner. Noting and analysing the cause of any damage that has occurred during the
voyage.

LEARNING AND TEACHING STRATEGY

This unit will be delivered mainly by lecture, backed up by use of electronic and other
media/learning resources as appropriate. Practical cargo planning exercises will be
undertaken, including instruction and practice in the use of industry-standard software.
Students will be expected to undertake independent research to incorporate literature and
internet sourced material into all assessments.

ASSESSMENT STRATEGY
AE1: This will demonstrate the student’s ability to plan cargo carrying operations efficiently
with clear regard to safety and commercial factors and correctly analyse the factors that
contribute to a safe and commercially viable voyage.

AE2: This will assess the student’s ability to evaluate the management of the operational
requirements for specific types of ship and/or cargoes

Throughout the course students will be given the opportunity for formative feedback on
their progress via tutorials and class discussions.

ASSESSMENT
AE1 weighting: 50%
assessment type: Cargo plan
length/duration: n/a
online submission: No
grade marking: No
anonymous marking: Yes

AE2 weighting: 50%

assessment type: Written assignment
length/duration: 1000 words
online submission: No
grade marking: No
anonymous marking: Yes

AGGREGATION OF MARKS
The marks for the two elements of assessment will be aggregated into a single mark for the
unit.

RE-ASSESSMENT ARRANGEMENTS
Students referred in either assessment will be required to resubmit a new piece of
coursework.

Unit Author: V Jai Indiran

Unit history:

Unit Approved/Year Implemented/Code April 2013 2013/14 WDD008

Unit modified/Year Implemented/Code July 2016 2016/17 WDD008