On-Demand Course

View Important Policies and System Requirements for this course

Interested in registering 5 or more engineers for a course? Contact us for information and rates.

This course is sponsored by the Coasts, Oceans, Ports & Rivers Institute and part of the Port Engineering Certificate Program.

INSTRUCTOR: 
Thomas Ward, P.E., S.E., M.ASCE

Purpose and Background

This course will provide a fundamental understanding of how containerized commerce drives container terminal operations, and how those operations drive infrastructure. The course will show how the demands for capacity, efficiency, and safety drive equipment selection, properties, and impacts configuration and layout of wharf, yard, gate, rail, and support areas. It will also demonstrate how these demands impact building sizing, placement, and access patterns, human movements and activities on the terminal and the essentials of the basis of design. Although specific to containers, many of the concepts are applicable to the design of roll-on/roll-off, breakbulk, and dry bulk port operating facilities. Similarities and differences will be highlighted.

Benefits and Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

  • Explain how to develop concentrated, compact, and wide-area container-induced ground loads for containers in any storage configuration.
  • Explain how to develop the transverse geometrics of a container wharf as a function of vessel size, berth configuration, and transport equipment.
  • Develop the striping geometry of a container wharf as a function of transport equipment and circulation requirements.
  • Estimate the maximum practical throughput capacity of a container berth and wharf, and estimate the required cranes.
  • Estimate the ground area required to serve specific throughput demands.
  • Prepare a safe container yard ground striping plan for specific equipment types.
  • Prepare a safe layout for worker and equipment parking.
  • Estimate the working and storage track required to serve specific rail throughput demands.
  • Size the major elements of an entry/exit gate complex and prepare a safe flow plan.
  • Prepare a conceptual plan for the distribution of power and water across a terminal.
  • Correctly characterize the pavement domains in a terminal.

Assessment of Learning Outcomes

Achievement of the learning outcomes by attendees will be assessed through (3) exams.

Who Should Attend?

  • Port authority master planners
  • Port authority engineering designers
  • Consulting port planners and engineers
  • Terminal development or operating company engineers
  • Goods movement transportation professionals

How to Earn your CEUs/PDHs

This course is worth 2.4 CEUs/24 PDHs. To receive your certificate of completion, you will need to complete (3) exams and receive a passing score of 70% or higher.

How do I convert CEUs to PDHs?

1.0 CEU = 10 PDHs [Example: 0.1 CEU = 1 PDH]

Course Outline

Week 1: Containers and Logistics
Course Introduction
What are Containers, and Why?
Container Ships
Kinds of Containers
Learning Exercise
Shipping Stuff Around the World
Stakeholders
Security
Learning Exercise
Conclusion

Week 2: Vessel Operations I: Ship and Dock
Week Introduction
Ship Stow
Cranes
Mooring
Learning Exercise
Lashing
Dock Striping
Loads
Learning Exercise
Conclusion

Week 3: Vessel Operations II: Dock and Yard
Week Introduction
Berth Capacity
Stow Planning
Learning Exercise
Horizontal Transport
Sequencing and Circulation
Hatch Lids
Workers on the Dock
Learning Exercise
Conclusion

Week 4: Yard Operations I: Logistics and Space
Week Introduction
Full Empties
Dwell Time
Space Allocation
Learning Exercise
Storage Demand
Storage Density
Yard Capactiy
Learning Exercise
Conclusion
Exam: Week 1-4

Week 5: Yard Operations II: Modes & Equipment
Week Introduction
Wheeled
Rubber Tired Gantries
Front End Loaders
Learning Exercise
Rail Mounted Gantries
Automated Stacking Cranes
Straddle Carriers
Learning Exercise
Conclusion

Week 6: Yard Operations III: Special Considerations
Week Introduction
Reefers
Hazardous Material
VACIS
Learning Exercise
Intermodal
Special Inspections
High, Wide and Heavy
Conclusion

Week 7: Rail Yards
Week Introduction
Rail Freight
Intermodal Rail Cars
Railroad Operations
Learning Exercise
Tracks
Operations
Rail Yard Capacity
Learning Exercise
Conclusion

Week 8: Gates I: Logistics and Process
Week Introduction
Drayage
Imports
Exports
Learning Exercise
Gate Demand
Security, Identity, Scanning
Confirmation and Processing
Learning Exercise
Conclusion
Exam: 5-8

Week 9: Gates II: Infrastructure and Instruments
Week Introduction
Maneuvering
Security and Scanning
Truck Processing
Learning Exercise
Performance and Sizing
Conclusion

Week 10: Support Areas I: Buildings
Week Introduction
Management
Operating Labor
Maintenance and Repair
Learning Exercise
Equipment Parking
Workers on Foot
Security
Learning Exercisev Conclusion

Week 11: Support Areas II: Utilities and Infrastructure
Week Introduction
Drainage
Lighting Hydrants
Water
Learning Exercise
Power and Fuel
Pavement
Learning Exercise
Conclusion

Week 12: The Integrated Grand View
Week Introduction
Containers and Logistics
Vessels and Docks
Container Yard
Learning Exercise
Rail Yard
Gate
All the Other Stuff
Interaction
Conclusion
Exam: Week 9-12