120 Credits | 48 Weeks | Instructor-Led Weekend Program

This is flagship professional program of Marex Academy, designed to prepare aspiring professionals for operational and management roles within the global maritime industry.

Developed through extensive research into industry skill gaps and employer expectations, this comprehensive program equips participants with the knowledge, practical insight, and operational capabilities required to work in shore-based roles across shipping companies, ship management firms, ports, and maritime service organizations.

The PDSM program is structured to develop these capabilities through a progressive learning journey that begins with industry foundations and advances toward professional-level ship management competencies.

The program is delivered through live instructor-led virtual sessions conducted on weekends over 48 weeks, making it suitable for students and working professionals who want to develop specialized maritime knowledge while continuing their current commitments.

The curriculum has been designed by experienced maritime professionals and industry veterans, ensuring participants gain practical, industry-relevant knowledge aligned with real-world maritime operations.

No prior experience in shipping is required to enroll in the program.

Who Should Enrol

This program is designed for individuals who want to build a career in the global maritime industry, particularly in shore-based operational and management roles.

The program is particularly suitable for:

• University students in their second year or final year who want to prepare for maritime careers

• Graduates seeking entry into the global shipping industry

• Professionals working in logistics, supply chain, international trade, or port operations

• Individuals planning to transition their careers into maritime organizations

The program is suitable for both male and female professionals and focuses specifically on office-based roles within the shipping industry rather than sea-going careers.

Why This Program Matters

Shipping companies require professionals who understand how ships are technically managed, how voyages are commercially operated, and how maritime businesses function within global trade systems.

The PDSM program prepares participants to:

• Understand the structure and operations of the global maritime industry

• Develop knowledge of technical ship management and vessel maintenance systems

• Learn the commercial operations involved in managing shipping voyages and cargo movements

• Gain exposure to international maritime regulations and compliance frameworks

• Develop business and management capabilities required in shipping companies

The program bridges the gap between academic education and real industry

Career Opportunities After Completion

Graduates of the Professional Diploma in Ship Management are prepared to pursue entry-level and junior management roles across maritime organizations.

Typical career pathways include:

• Ship Operations Executive

• Technical Management Executive

• Chartering / Pre-Fix Executive

• Post-Fix Operations Executive

• Port Agency Executive

• Crewing Operations Executive

• P&I and Marine Insurance Executive

• Compliance and Regulatory Executive

• Marine Procurement Officer

• Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) Executive

• Maritime Documentation Specialist

These roles exist across shipping companies, ship management firms, ports, maritime service providers, and logistics organizations worldwide.

Program Duration and Learning Structure

The Professional Diploma in Ship Management is a 120-credit program delivered over 48 weeks through structured instructor-led learning.

Each credit represents approximately 45 to 60 minutes of guided learning, delivered through interactive virtual sessions led by industry professionals.

The curriculum follows a progressive structure, beginning with the foundations of global shipping and gradually advancing toward technical and commercial ship management expertise.

Program Structure

The program consists of four comprehensive modules that together provide a complete understanding of ship management from both technical and commercial perspectives.

Module 1 - Global Shipping & Maritime Trade - 24 Credits

This module introduces the global maritime industry and the role shipping plays in international trade. Participants gain a foundational understanding of shipping markets, trade routes, and the broader maritime ecosystem.

Topics covered include:

• Shipping and Global Trade

• Evolution of Shipping

• Maritime Geography

• Trade Routes and Geopolitics

• Maritime Industry Ecosystem

• Ports and Maritime Infrastructure

• Ship Types and Cargo Markets

• Regulation, Contracts and Maritime Business Framework

This module establishes the industry foundation required for understanding professional ship management functions.

Module 2: Maritime Business Management - 32 Credits

Shipping companies operate as global commercial enterprises requiring strong business management capabilities. This module develops the managerial and strategic understanding needed to operate maritime businesses effectively.

Topics covered include:

• Structure of Commercial Enterprises in Shipping

• Internal Organisation of Shipping Companies

• Maritime Trade Ecosystem

• Shipping Economics and Market Dynamics

• International Trade Systems and Documentation

• Strategic Management in Shipping

• Innovation and Competitive Advantage

• Financial Management and Ship Finance

• Ethics, Governance and Maritime Institutions

• Business Communications in Shipping

Participants gain insight into how shipping companies make commercial decisions and operate within international trade systems.

Module 3: Technical Ship Management - 32 Credits

This module focuses on the technical management of vessels and compliance with international maritime regulations.

Topics covered include:

• Global Maritime Regulatory Institutions and Governance

• Core Maritime Conventions and Management Standards

• Organizational QSHE Management and Maritime Security

• Risk Assessment and Safe Shipboard Operations

• Accident Reporting, Investigation and Human Element

• Crewing Operations and Seafarer Recruitment

• Crew Deployment and Crewing Administration

• Technical Ship Management and Maintenance Systems

• Marine Procurement and Maritime Supply Chain

• Drydocking and Technical Project Management

• Financial and Commercial Management in Technical Ship Operations

Participants learn how ship management companies maintain vessel safety, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency.

Module 4: Commercial Ship Management - 32 Credits

The final module focuses on commercial shipping operations and voyage management, covering the operational and financial aspects of moving cargo across global trade routes.

Topics covered include:

• Structure of Global Commercial Shipping Operations

• Cargo Characteristics and Global Trade Routes

• Voyage Estimating and Commercial Decision Making

• Bunker Management and Voyage Cost Control

• Voyage Instructions and Commercial Vessel Operations

• Cargo Operations and Port Terminal Coordination

• Voyage Documentation and Laytime Management

• Port Agency Operations and Port Service Coordination

• Port Documentation and Disbursement Accounting

• Charter Parties, Bills of Lading and Cargo Liability

• Maritime Legal Framework, Insurance and Dispute Resolution

• Integrated Ship Management Practices

This module provides the commercial operational knowledge required to manage shipping voyages and cargo logistics.

Learning Experience

The program is delivered through live instructor-led online sessions conducted on weekends, allowing participants to balance learning with academic or professional commitments.

Key learning features include:

• Instructor-led virtual classes

• Interactive discussions and industry case studies

• Structured weekly learning progression

• Exposure to real-world maritime operational practices

• Insights from experienced maritime professionals

Certification

Participants who successfully complete the program and meet the academic requirements will be awarded the:

Professional Diploma in Ship Management (PDSM)
Issued by Marex Academy

This certification demonstrates that the participant has acquired comprehensive knowledge of ship management, maritime business operations, and global shipping practices.

Entry Pathways

Participants who have previously completed the Foundation Certificate in Global Shipping & Maritime Trade (PCGM) can apply their 24 earned credits toward the Professional Diploma in Ship Management.

This allows learners to progress into the diploma program with advanced standing, reducing the total learning required to complete the full professional qualification.

Build a Career in the Global Maritime Industry

The Professional Diploma in Ship Management is designed to serve as a career-launching program for the maritime industry.

By combining industry knowledge, technical understanding, and commercial operational insight, the program prepares participants to confidently pursue professional opportunities within the global shipping sector.

For aspiring maritime professionals, this diploma provides a structured pathway to enter one of the world’s most essential and globally connected industries.