ELEFTHERIOS SDOUKOPOULOS
Head of the Environmental and Energy Impacts of Transport Systems Department
Hellenic Institute of Transport – Centre for Research and Technology Hellas
2018–2019 Fulbright Greek Research Student Program to the U.S. Host: The University of Memphis, Tennessee
Maritime management encompasses the overall administration, coordination and supervision of activities related to the sea and the maritime industry. One of its core components is shipping management, which specifically addresses the management of vessel operations with the aim to efficiently plan, coordinate and optimize the movement of goods and passengers via the sea.
To become an expert in maritime and/or shipping management, building a strong maritime educational background is the first step to take. Pursuing a degree in maritime studies or in a related field such as naval architecture, transportation engineering, logistics, etc. will provide the necessary fundamental knowledge. Further specialization may then be pursued via specialized programs or courses offered by reputable institutions worldwide (e.g. Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers), while practical experiences that can be gained via internship positions that numerous shipping companies are offering, are crucial for better understanding day-to-day operations and associated challenges.
Given the wide range of existing operations, commodities, vessel types, technologies, policy frameworks, etc., many different areas of specialization can be pursued. These can include indicatively: shipbroking, shipping finance, vessel chartering, management of liner and tramp shipping operations, shipping environmental management, maritime insurance, maritime safety and security, maritime law and regulations, maritime technology & innovation, port and terminal management, maritime logistics, etc. A degree in maritime / shipping management can offer career development opportunities in any of those business areas, as well as in research and academia that also fulfil an important function.
For addressing the broad range of activities maritime and/or shipping management is being coupled with, relevant undergraduate studies employ a wider approach providing students with fundamental knowledge on a spectrum of thematic areas, looking also at the interrelationships that exist between them. This allows graduates to develop a solid understanding of the sector as a whole, and identify their inclination towards a certain area (or areas), where they can decide to deepen their understanding and further develop their competences and qualifications by enrolling at a relevant postgraduate program.
Photo Credit: Maksym Kaharlytskyi for Unsplash