Course Topics

Management of the ship/shore interface activities of a marine custody transfer movement is in fact the management of the entire movement, from determining the initial cargo requirement, choosing the ship it is to be carried on, the ports the ship can go to, how the cargo is to be loaded and discharged and how it should be measured and accounted for and, above all, how to do it safely. The better the various interfaces are managed the more successful and safer the operation will be. Topics to be discussed during the course will be such as these:


  • Understanding Supply Chain Requirements

  • Time is of the Essence in Shipping

  • Identification of Participants

  • Establishment of Communication

  • General Characteristics of Cargoes

  • Chain of Authority Ship/Shore (PIC)

  • Specific Cargoes Being Carried / SDS

  • Ship Suitability – In General

  • Types of Ships – Regulatory Bodies

  • Types of Contracts in Use

  • Purchase / Sales Agreements – GTCs / PTCs

  • Charter Parties – Types and Uses

  • Buyer / Seller Responsibilities

  • Terminal Terms and Conditions - Performance

  • Matching Laydays – Ship vs Shore

  • Contracts of Carriage – COGSA – Hague Visby

  • Relative General Maritime Law

  • Exemptions from Responsibility of Loss

  • Communication Problems/Solutions/Language

  • Establishment of Verbal / Hand Signals

  • Key Meetings – Measurement / Safety

  • Review of Pre-Loading / Discharge Checklists

  • Types of Terminals – Functions – Use

  • Hose / Arms Requirements

  • Precautions – Before-During-After Cargo Ops

  • Pre-Load / After Discharge Tank Inspection

  • Vessel Berths – Types and Use

  • Hose / Fender Supports

  • Line Fill Verification and Allocation

  • Bad Weather Precautions

  • Bunker Requirements

  • Vessel / Terminal Vetting – Questionnaires

  • Bunker Note and Bunker Delivery

  • Handling of Bunker Samples

  • Bunkers – Stemming and Receiving / Sampling

  • Types / Size of Ships / Flag

  • Bills of Lading and LOIs

  • Classification Societies / Governing Bodies

  • Bill of Lading vs Vessel Load Comparison

  • Ship / Shore Measurement Methods

  • Ship / Shore Safety Checklists

  • Bunkers – Bunker Note and Checklist

  • Disport - Cargo Reconciliation

  • Calculation of VEF / ROB / OBQ

  • Issuing of NOR to Charter / Terminal

  • Cargo Operations – Open/Closed Systems

  • Safety / Security - ISM/ISPS - TMSA

  • Additional Topics as Requested and Required


Program Objective:  To raise the awareness of the participant to the importance of proper ship and shore interface during cargo operations…as well as the critical impact the personnel conducting the key meetings and those in attendance can have--both before loading and discharging of the vessel--making the difference between a good and safe custody transfer or a possible catastrophe.