Sea and Beyond, in collaboration with tutor Capt Madan Kumar, offers a comprehensive video course for ICS students preparing for the Port and Terminal Management exam. This engaging series, spanning approximately 10 hours, blends theoretical insights, practical applications, and exam-focused strategies to equip students with a deep understanding of port operations and management. The course is structured into chapters, each summarizing key concepts, followed by Q&A sessions based on past exam papers to guide students in tackling various question types effectively.

Chapter 1 introduces the foundational role of ports in global trade, exploring their economic significance and operational efficiency. It covers how ports drive economic development, the costs of congestion, and their integration into global supply chains, emphasizing the impact of globalization and port-related industries.

Next the chapter delves into the evolution and development of ports, examining their strategic location, modern redevelopment, and the challenges and opportunities they face. It highlights specialized commodity ports, classifications, and operational types like artificial harbors and non-tidal river ports.

Chapter 2 examines the relationship between cargoes and ships, categorizing cargo types such as unitized, bulk, and liquid bulk. It discusses ship design considerations tailored to trade routes, tonnage, and cargo requirements, providing a foundation for understanding maritime logistics.

It continues the exploration of ship types, focusing on specialized vessels like crude oil, product, chemical, LNG, LPG, dry bulk, and container ships. It introduces concepts like TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) and operational tanker designs.

Chapter 3 covers the essentials of port management, including organizational structures, marine and cargo operations, and safety and security protocols. It introduces statutory bodies that regulate port activities, laying the groundwork for understanding governance.

Next it builds on statutory oversight, delving into immigration control, port health authorities, and support businesses. It emphasizes value-added services and overall port performance, highlighting their role in operational success.

It continues to focus on measuring port performance through key performance indicators (KPIs) like vessel turnaround time, cargo volume, and handling speed. It explores optimization strategies and the role of capital investments in enhancing global trade contributions.

Chapter 4 introduces port finance, covering financial statements, depreciation, and accounting controls. It examines financial performance through ratios like gearing, liquidity, and profitability, providing tools to assess port operations' fiscal health.

It further explores the financial and economic evaluation of port investments, including cost-benefit analyses, net present value (NPV), and internal rate of return (IRR). It addresses funding models like PPP, leasing, and concessions, alongside risk management strategies.

Chapter 5 tackles legal frameworks in port management, covering international conventions, jurisdiction, and environmental regulations like MARPOL and SOLAS. It discusses port planning, employment laws, and security measures under the ISPS code.

Chapter 6 analyzes port competition through economic lenses, exploring perfect and imperfect competition, SWOT analysis, and competitive strategies like cost leadership. It examines inter- and intra-port competition and factors driving industry dynamics.

Chapter 7 introduces port marketing, focusing on strategies to attract users through product, price, and place-based promotion. It covers tools like websites, advertising, and port fairs, emphasizing data-driven approaches to engage stakeholders.

Chapter 8 addresses operational and strategic port planning, including berth, yard, and intermodal system planning. It explores performance monitoring, resource allocation, and traffic forecasting to manage congestion and optimize capacity.

Chapter 9 details port equipment and terminal setups, focusing on general-purpose and container terminals. It covers ship-to-shore equipment like harbor cranes and forklifts, alongside cargo storage and yard management systems.

It further continues the focus on port equipment, exploring RoRo terminals, pallet systems, dry bulk, and tanker terminal equipment. It addresses future challenges in terminal operations and infrastructure.

Chapter 10 examines port ownership models, comparing public, private, and hybrid systems like BOT/BOOT. It includes case studies and debates on privatization, weighing its benefits and challenges.

Q&A 1 and Q&A 2 provide practical exam preparation, analyzing May and November 2024 question papers, respectively. These sessions guide students on structuring answers and addressing various question formats effectively.

This course offers a structured learning path, progressing from foundational concepts to advanced topics, with Q&A sessions ensuring exam readiness. For more details or access, students can contact Sea and Beyond.