Introduction to Shipping – Geelong

Description

Time: 9:30am – 4:30pm, Wednesday 11 February 2026

Venue: Spirit of Tasmania, 136 Corio Quay Rd, North Geelong

Subjects covered:

The role of shipping in world trade

Explore how shipping is the key mover of resources and good across the globe and how international and domestic freight policy influences the industry.

Ship dimensions and measurements

See the key elements involved in physical dimensions of ships and different ways of measuring ship weights.

Ship types

A comprehensive look at the vast range of ships available to industry depending on the task at hand, including bulk carriers, cargo ships and heavy lift vessels.

Commercial operations

Discover how ships are owned and chartered through various arrangements. See requirements for registration, insurance and the roles shipping agents and ports play.

Vessel operations

Explore the requirements for crewing, what ratings mean, as well as projects to increase Indigenous and female participation in the industry. See how ballast and dry docking are key elements in a ship’s operations.

The regulatory environment

With many overarching regulations, shipping is governed by many different regulators nationally and globally. Explore the historical context of obligations and safety mechanisms.

The future

With decarbonisation a key issue in the industry, find out key drivers behind new ship builds and prototypes.

Catering

The course is fully catered for with morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea. Please advise of any dietary requirements at time of booking.

Experiential component

A tour of a Spirit of Tasmania vessel!

Course facilitator

Capt. Brett Whiteoak

Brett spent 20 years in the industry sailing with BP, Esso, Mobil and Shell Australian and UK-flagged tankers. He was Master of the Tasman and Mobil Flinders – Australia’s biggest oil tanker – and held ship management roles with Mobil Oil, Silver Fern Shipping, BP Shipping and North West Shelf Shipping in Melbourne, Wellington, London and Tokyo. Brett has been a Director of companies including IGTC (Bermuda), Silver Fern Shipping (NZ), Coastal Oil Logistics (NZ), NWSSSC, the Australian Maritime College, AMC Search and was most recently Chairman of AMOSC.

Who should attend

This course may especially benefit:

• new entrants to the maritime sector, as well as non-specialists who are currently working in the industry
• government personnel, advisors, and policy makers operating at state, federal and local government level
• administrative staff working in law firms, auditing societies, banks companies, and class financial companies, shipbrokers, insurance companies, transportation companies, and ports, who seek general knowledge about the maritime sector

Course participants will receive a certificate upon completion.

Please note:

• 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.

Contact

Gemma Gooding:

• 0474 477 411
• gemma.gooding@mial.com.au