Skip to main content
Unit outline_

ITLS6300: Maritime Management and Logistics

Semester 1, 2023 [Normal day] - Remote

This unit conveys the fundamentals of maritime logistics and positions each student to become a competent practitioner with an understanding of the key concepts, techniques and management methods of maritime logistics. The unit commences with a review of world seaborne trade, trends and cycles in the industry. This includes a review of ship types, ship life cycles, and the markets for new and second-hand ships. There is an analysis of competition and efficiency in maritime logistics, including the impact of vertical and horizontal integration, alliances, freight stabilisation agreements and conferences. Ship owning, financing, chartering and insurance are covered in detail. Ship certification, flag state control, and the role of the IMO are described. Intermodal supply chains are studied for both bulk and containerised freight. Tramp and liner shipping is covered, with a detailed look at routing and scheduling for liner operations. Presentations by maritime professionals will complement the lectures and provide students with windows on the workings of the industry.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Transport and Logistics Studies
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
ITLS5000 or ITLS5020 or ITLS5100 or ITLS5250 or TPTM5001 or TPTM6241
Prohibitions
? 
TPTM6200
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Michael Bell, michael.bell@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Supervised exam
? 
Final exam
Long answer questions
40% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Presentation Individual presentation
Oral presentation
15% Multiple weeks 5 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Tutorial quiz Quiz
Short answer questions
10% Week 10
Due date: 01 May 2023 at 09:00

Closing date: 02 May 2023
30 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Assignment Individual assignment
Essay
35% Week 13
Due date: 24 May 2023 at 23:59

Closing date: 04 Jun 2023
3000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO4

Assessment summary

  • Quiz: The quiz will consist of three short questions to be answered under exam-like conditions online as a prelude to the final exam. The intention is to give students the experience of a written exam in Canvas to help them prepare for the final exam.
  • Individual presentation: As part of a group project on an aspect of maritime logistics, each student will be expected to make a five-minute individual presentation relating to an aspect of the group project. The presentations will be held online in weeks 11 and 12. All students are expected to be present for the presentations.
  • Individual assignment: Each student will submit an essay on a topic of their own choosing but in agreement with the unit leader. To get agreement, a title and brief description (in a few sentences) of the essay should be emailed to the unit leader, who will advise on the appropriateness or otherwise of the chosen topic. This may be done at any time, but students are advised to do this as early as possible so as not to hold up work on the essay.
  • Final exam: There will be an online final exam to test understanding of the subject matter taught in the unit. Following 10 minutes reading time, each candidate is expected to attempt all five questions in two hours.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school. 

Distinction

75 - 84

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Credit

65 - 74

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Pass

50 - 64

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school. 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 1. Introduction; 2. Group design exercise: Projects explained Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 02 1. The economics of trade; 2. Cycles in shipping Lecture (3 hr) LO1
Week 03 1. Regulatory framework and enforcement; 2. Shipping safety and security Lecture (3 hr) LO1
Week 04 1. Intermodal freight; 2. Alliances and vertical integration Lecture (3 hr) LO1
Week 05 1. Dry bulk; 2. Liquid and break bulk Lecture (3 hr) LO1
Week 06 1. Maritime container terminals; 2. Terminal operating systems, PCS and SW Lecture (3 hr) LO1
Week 07 1. Port ownership and operation; 2. Ports and port cities Lecture (3 hr) LO1
Week 08 1. Shortsea shipping; 2. Cruise shipping Lecture (3 hr) LO1
Week 09 1. Port-centric logistics and IMTs; 2. Ship building and scrapping Lecture (3 hr) LO1
Week 10 1. Green shipping; 2. Future shipping and automation Lecture (3 hr) LO1
Week 11 1. Presentations 1; 2. Presentations 2 Presentation (3 hr) LO3 LO4
Week 12 Presentations 3 Presentation (3 hr) LO3 LO4

Attendance and class requirements

Lecture recording: All lectures and seminars are recorded and will be available on Canvas for student use. Please note the Business School does not own the system and cannot guarantee that the system will operate or that every class will be recorded. Students should ensure they attend and participate in all classes.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

See the ITLS6300 Canvas site for general recommended reading. Lectures are self-contained but there will be accompanying reading to support and supplement each lecture.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Explain the important concepts, principles and stakeholders of maritime logistics in global supply chains.
  • LO2. Analyse problems in maritime logistics and recommend appropriate solutions.
  • LO3. Develop effective team work strategies to collectively address emerging trends and challenges within the global maritime industry.
  • LO4. Communicate and present solutions to critical audiences.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.