Introduction to Shipping
This course offers an insightful and engaging introduction to the fascinating world of shipping.
Delivered in-person by an industry expert, participants benefit from small class sizes and an exciting experiential component.
All scheduled courses are fully catered and run from 09:00 to 16:00 unless otherwise stated.
Course modules
See what you’ll be learning.
The role of shipping
Explore the immense scale of the world’s seaborne trade and its vital role in powering global supply chains and economies, as well as the scope of activities that comprise international and domestic shipping.
Ship dimensions and measurements
Shipping has plenty of bewildering terms and expressions often rooted in ancient history, and this module aims to demystify the lexicon while providing a useful background on how ships are measured.
Ship types
Get to know the major vessel categories and the many types of ships that are in use around the world, along with fascinating insights into their history, the cargo they carry, and significant statistics.
Commercial operations
Understand the activities needed to safely manage and run a ship, plus explore the international nature of vessel ownership, management, operation, crewing, registration, and more.
Vessel operations
This module covers everything you need to know about getting a ship from A to B, including crewing, passage planning, navigation, ballast and bunkers.
Shipping regulations
More than just an overview of key shipping regulations, you’ll learn about past maritime disasters and how they changed the world for good.
A look at the future
Glimpse the future of shipping with insights into low-carbon fuels, clean-hull technologies, and AI-powered solutions to increase efficiency.
An experience to remember
Introduction to Shipping’s course content is complimented by an experiential component that really brings your learning to life.
Each course offers a unique experience, which have in the past included ship tours, a visit to a safety training facility, venturing atop a port control tower, and exploring some of Australia’s newest simulated training centres.
Meet our expert facilitators
Captain Brett Whiteoak
Brett spent his first 20 years in the shipping industry sailing on BP, Esso, Mobil and Shell Australian and UK flagged tankers. He was Master of the Tasman and Mobil Flinders, Australia’s largest oil tanker. Over the following 20 years he held ship management roles with Mobil Oil, Silver Fern Shipping, BP Shipping and North West Shelf Shipping in Melbourne, Wellington, London and Tokyo. Since 2002 Brett has held Directorships of IGTC (Bermuda), Silver Fern Shipping (NZ), Coastal Oil Logistics (NZ), NWSSSC, the Australian Maritime College, AMC Search and was Chairman of AMOSC for the last three years.
Mark Pointon
Mark Pointon is an experienced Master Mariner, maritime educator and dynamic positioning practitioner.
A strong advocate of lifelong learning who is passionate about the role of simulation and autonomous technologies to assist in achieving offshore maritime safety, Mark is excited to share a wealth of knowledge gained in the offshore oil and gas and tanker sectors.
Tony Cousins
After qualifying as a Master Mariner under the Australian merchant flag, Tony enjoyed an international executive career in stevedoring, marine towage and port management. Now at the helm of his own marine consultancy business and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD), Tony is a Non-executive Director of the Victorian International Container Terminal (VICT), a Councilor of the Australian Mariners Welfare Society, the Chairperson of Wylie’s Baths Trust and a Director of the Sydney Amateur Sailing Club.
Wes Oswin
Wes has over 30 years of experience in commercial vessel and port operations, business management, marine regulation, emergency management and environment protection. Wes has held senior roles in the private sector as well as government. His former roles include Victorian Manager – Auriga Marine Pilots, General Manager Operations – Searoad Ferries and Head of the Marine Search and Rescue office within Emergency Management Victoria. Wes has also held senior roles at Marine Safety Victoria and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority.
Frequently Asked Questions
A single ticket for Introduction to Shipping is $645 including GST.
MIAL members pay $445 including GST.
We aim to schedule courses in capital cities based on historic demand.
Check out What’s on to see when a MIAL courses is taking place near you.
Alternatively, register your interest and we’ll let you know about upcoming courses you might be interested in.
The not so small print
Please note the following terms and conditions:
- Course participants will receive a certificate upon completion.
- Participants may be required to sign an indemnity in order to participate in the offsite shipping-related tour.
- This is an in-person event and numbers may be restricted to provide the best possible experience for attendees
- MIAL reserves the right to cancel this event at short notice, particularly if insufficient participants are registered to make the course viable – in the unlikely event that this happens, registered attendees will be notified and receive a refund or credit to attend a future session. MIAL strongly recommends flexible travel arrangements are made for this reason.
- Photographs of the course and activities may be taken for promotional purposes. This is acknowledged within the terms and conditions. If you do not wish for your photograph to be published (including on social media) please advise MIAL and your course facilitator on the day.
