TRASPORTI MARITTIMI E LOGISTICA INTEGRATA

The course aims to provide the fundamental knowledge and tools to understand the functioning of maritime transport and port systems, with particular reference to port planning and management, the organization of maritime transport, intermodal transport, and the integration of transport systems and logistics. Special attention will be paid to the relationships between the port, the city, and the surrounding territory; the role of hinterland and inland port infrastructure; and issues related to last-mile freight distribution.

Knowledge and understanding

Students will acquire knowledge regarding the organization and operation of maritime transport, the key characteristics and functions of ports and port systems, and the criteria for planning and managing port infrastructure. The course will also address the principles underlying the organization of maritime and intermodal transport and the integration of transport and logistics, focusing specifically on the role of hinterland and inland port infrastructure and last-mile distribution processes.

Furthermore, the main issues concerning the environmental and energy sustainability of ports will be analyzed, including a discussion of innovative solutions and technologies (e.g., cold ironing). Particular attention will be devoted to the interactions between port activities and the urban and territorial context, as well as the port-city relationship.

applying knowledge and understanding

Through practical exercises and applied activities—including case study analysis—students will acquire the fundamentals needed to apply their knowledge of port and logistics system planning and management.

Specifically, students will be able to analyze a port system and its relationships with the transport network and the territory; identify the key functional elements of a port system and its associated infrastructure; and apply basic criteria for defining planning and management interventions. They will also be able to analyze the interactions between port activities, mobility, and the urban context, and to identify potential solutions aimed at the environmental and energy sustainability of ports and the efficiency of logistics systems.

Making judgments

By the end of the course, students will be able to identify and select relevant information for analyzing a port and logistics system based on the study's objectives; interpret the key relationships between port infrastructure, transport systems, logistics, and the urban and territorial context; critically compare potential planning and management solutions for port and logistics systems; and evaluate, at a basic level, the implications of various alternatives regarding sustainability and efficiency goals for transport and logistics systems.

Communication skills

Students will develop the ability to clearly and appropriately communicate and discuss content, analyses, and results related to port systems, maritime transport, and integrated logistics, through targeted exercises and discussions regarding the choices made, using appropriate technical language. Any group activities will also contribute to developing collaboration skills and the ability to engage with other members of the working group.

Learning skills

Students will be encouraged to develop an autonomous learning method based on consulting and analyzing technical, scientific, and regulatory sources regarding maritime transport, port systems, and logistics. They will also be encouraged to engage with case studies and the evolution of technologies and innovative solutions for the sustainability of port and logistics systems. The skills acquired during the course will provide a foundation for independently updating and deepening their knowledge in the fields of maritime transport, port planning, and integrated logistics. The skills acquired during the course contribute to achieving Goals 9, 11, and 13 of the 2030 Agenda, with particular reference to the development of sustainable and resilient infrastructure, the sustainability of urban systems, and the reduction of environmental impacts and emissions associated with transport.

The course includes:

- frontal lessons

- guided exercise(s)

- guided tours

The acquisition of skills will be verified by means of an oral test which will cover both the theoretical topics and the assigned exercises.

If the course is delivered in blended or remote mode, appropriate adjustments may be made to the above, in order to ensure consistency with the syllabus.

1. Maritime transport in the sea-land first-/last- mile
• Introduction and economics of maritime transport
  
• Mechanics of locomotion
• Marine vehicle types
• Marine traffic


2. Port organization, planning and management
• Conception, organization and management of ports
  
• Maritime terminals
• Environmental sustainability of maritime transport
• Elements of port planning
• Tourist ports
• Innovations in port management
  
 

3. Port-city relationship
• Port-city relationship
  
• Integrated port-city planning
• City logistics
• Sustainable Urban Logistics Planning


4. Intermodal transport and integrated logistics
• Logistics chain and integrated logistics
  
• Intermodal transport
• Container transport

Targeted exercises based on the course topics (e.g. AIS data analysis, logistics problem resolution, terminal capacity calculation)

1. Ricci, S., Ritossa, G. (a cura di), 2019. Ingegneria dei trasporti navali. Tecnologie, metodi ed applicazioni. EGAF. ISBN: 978-88-8482-958-0
2. Ministero delle Infrastrutture e dei Trasporti, Marzo 2017. Linee guida per la redazione dei Piani Regolatori di Sistema Portuale.
3. Rodrigue, J. P., 2013. The greography of Transport Systems. Routledge (Third edition)
4. Marcucci, M., Gatta, V., Le Pira, M. (a cura di), 2023. Handbook on City Logistics and Urban Freight. Edward Elgar. ISBN: 978 1 80037 016 6
5. Dalla Chiara, B., Marigo, D., Benzo, G., 2002. Interporti e terminali intermodali. Hoepli
6. Hillier, F. S., Lieberman, G. J.. 2001. Introduction to Operations Research. McGraw-Hill Education

At least 7-10 days before the date of the final exam, the student must send a draft of the report about the practical excercise on the class topics via mail. Once revised, the student should bring a copy of the final version of such a report the day appointed for the finals.

During the finals,the student should answer, generally, three-four oral questions about the topics of the course (please refer to the Most frequent questions below).

The evaluation will be based on the:

- quality of the report on practical applications (50%);

- completeness and clarity of the answers to the oral questions (50%).

Active participation to class work will be also accounted for.

Learning assessment may also be carried out on-line, should the conditions require it. To ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with current laws, interested students may request a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures based on educational objectives and specific needs. Students can also contact the CInAP (Centro per l’integrazione Attiva e Partecipata — Servizi per le Disabilità e/o i DSA) referring teacher within their department (https://www.cinap.unict.it/content/referenti).

- port management: the port system authorities

- port planning tools

- environmental problems in ports

- maritime terminals

- container transport

- integrated logistics

- problems related to urban logistics

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