| SHORT COURSE OUTLINE |
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| International supply chains are the lifeblood of the global economy, facilitating the movement of goods, services, capital, and information across vast geographical distances. As firms expand beyond national borders, the ability to manage increasingly complex supply networks has become a crucial determinant of competitiveness, resilience, and long-term sustainability. Maritime transport, the oldest and most globally integrated mode of organised transport, continues to underpin these global flows. Maritime economist Martin Stopford noted that its 5,000-year history reflects a profound and enduring impact on civilisations, commerce, and economic development. |
| Within the international supply chain management framework, maritime transport emerges not merely as a logistical enabler but as a strategic force embedded in broader geopolitical, economic, and environmental processes. Its influence extends to the organisation of trade flows, the configuration of supply networks, and the evolution of market structures. Critical aspects include business model innovation, service differentiation, and responsiveness to global regulatory and sustainability demands. |
| Contemporary global supply chains function as complex, interconnected systems linking suppliers, manufacturers, logistics providers, and end markets through integrated transport infrastructure and digital coordination. Pursuing cost-efficiency, speed, and reliability has transformed local and regional exchanges into vast, technologically enabled global networks. These networks operate under the influence of trade agreements, policy shifts, technological advancements, and exposure to systemic risks. |
| Understanding international systems' structure, interdependencies, and vulnerabilities is essential to addressing current and emerging challenges, including supply chain disruptions, decarbonisation imperatives, and regulatory compliance across multiple jurisdictions. When viewed through a strategic lens, maritime transport offers critical insights into how supply chains are shaped and reshaped in response to global pressures. Combining analytical frameworks with practical case evidence enables a robust examination of the evolving landscape of international trade and transport and the strategic decisions underpinning its continued development. |
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| Key topics include: |
| TOPIC 01. International Trade. Explore the foundations of global commerce, examining the trends, drivers, and impacts of international trade on supply chain development. |
| TOPIC 02. Who is Behind the Trade? Identify the key players and stakeholders involved in cross-border trade, including manufacturers, traders, freight forwarders, and logistics service providers. |
| TOPIC 03. The International Supply Chain. Understand how global supply chains are structured, coordinated, and managed across different sectors and markets. |
| TOPIC 04. International Infra- and Super-structures. Examine the physical and organisational frameworks, ports, terminals, regulatory bodies, and service platforms, that support international trade and logistics. |
| TOPIC 05. International Contracts. Learn the basics of contractual arrangements in global trade, including the legal frameworks that define rights, responsibilities, and risk allocation. |
| TOPIC 06. International Terms of Payment. Understand the financial mechanisms used in international transactions, from letters of credit to open account arrangements, and their role in mitigating risk. |
| TOPIC 07. International Documents. Review the essential documents used in international trade, from commercial invoices and bills of lading to certificates of origin, and understand their function in ensuring smooth, compliant transactions. |
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| The primary objective of this Short Course is to equip participants with a strategic, analytical, and practice-oriented understanding of international supply chains, with particular emphasis on the pivotal role of maritime transport as a global enabler. The course aims to develop participants’ capacity to assess the structure and performance of international logistics networks critically, understand the interdependencies among their various components, and recognise the evolving dynamics that shape global trade. Participants will explore key challenges such as regulatory complexity, supply chain disruptions, environmental compliance, and digital transformation. They will also gain insight into the influence of international trade agreements, shipping policies, and geopolitical shifts on supply chain operations. Through case studies, real-world scenarios, and interactive tools, learners can apply practical frameworks to optimise cross-border logistics, enhance resilience, and improve cost-efficiency. By the end of the course, participants will be better equipped to design, manage, and adapt global supply chains in a rapidly changing world. |
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| TARGET AUDIENCE |
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| This Short Course targets all Players interested in Distribution Channels, Logistics and Maritime Economics issues. It includes University Students, Importers / Exporters, Shippers, Shipping Companies, Vessel Operators, Shipping Agents, Freight Forwarders, Supply Chain Managers, 3PLs, Port Authorities, Port Terminal Operators, International and/or Intermodal Transport Companies, Maritime Lawyers, Consultants, and other parties with interest in the subject matter. |
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SHORT COURSES AT WORLD OF SHIPPING PORTUGAL
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| At World of Shipping Portugal, our Short Courses are thoughtfully designed to provide participants with a well-rounded understanding of key maritime and logistics topics. These courses are: |
| Broader in scope, allowing learners to explore a subject in depth while connecting it to a wider industry context. |
| Structured to deliver essential background knowledge, they bring together a range of interrelated topics, offering a cohesive and comprehensive learning experience. |
| Balanced between theory and practice, combining academic concepts with real-world applications, case studies, and industry examples to ensure practical relevance. |
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| Whether you’re seeking to strengthen your professional knowledge, explore a new field, or complement your academic studies, our short courses offer an accessible and engaging route to upskilling. |
| Short courses are available in-person and online, and are delivered in Portuguese or English, making them flexible and inclusive for a diverse audience of learners and professionals. These short courses are ideal for those who value both academic insight and industry relevance, taught by experienced professionals who understand the challenges and opportunities of the maritime world. |
| A certificate of completion will be awarded to all participants who successfully complete any of our short courses, serving as a formal recognition of their professional development in international trade and maritime transport. |
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| MEET OUR GUEST LECTURER: ANA CASACA, PhD, FICS |
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Ana Casaca was, first and foremost, a Deck Officer responsible for navigational watches. Being at sea gave her a thorough perspective of the operational side of the shipping industry. She holds a B.Sc. (Honours) in Management and Maritime Technologies from Escola Nautica Infante D. Henrique (Portuguese Nautical school), an MSc in International Logistics from the University of Plymouth and a PhD in International Transport/Logistics from the University of Wales-Cardiff. Next, she became an Experienced Lecturer, Researcher and Peer Reviewer in Maritime Economics and Logistics.
In between, numerous functions and roles. For more than 20 years, she has been an External Expert for the European Commission, evaluating R&D/CEF proposals within the scope of maritime transport. In parallel, she has carried out other projects. She has delivered training and has been invited, since 2002, to peer review academic papers submitted to well-known international Journals. She is the author of several research papers published in well-known academic journals and member of some journals’ editorial boards, namely, Maritime Business Review Associate Editor, Journal of International Logistics Editorial Board Member, Universal Journal of Management Editorial Board Member, Frontiers in Future Transportation Review Editor, and Journal of Shipping and Trade Guest Editor.She is also the founder and owner of ‘World of Shipping Portugal’ a website initiative established in 2018 focused on maritime economics. In addition, she is a Member of the Research Centre on Modelling and Optimisation of Multifunctional Systems (CIMOSM, ISEL), Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (ICS) and Member of the International Association of Maritime Economists (IAME). |
 : Ana Casaca, PhD, FICS |
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