TrainForTrade Port Management Programme Training of Trainers of the English-speaking network 2026
16 February – 1 April 2026
Belfast, United Kingdom
Belfast Harbour, United Kingdom
Credits: Belfast Harbour Commissioners
The UNCTAD TrainForTrade Port Management Programme supports port communities in developing countries in delivering more efficient and competitive port management services. In order to increase trade flows and foster economic development, the programme creates port networks bringing together public, private and international entities. The aim is to share knowledge and expertise between port operators as well as strengthen talent management and human resources development in port communities. Over the past 25 years the PMP has trained over 12’000 port managers across Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean in three language-based networks (English, French and Spanish).
In the framework of the English-speaking network of the UNCTAD TrainForTrade Port Management Programme, a Training of Trainers 2026 will be held from 16 February to 1 April 2026. The workshop is co-organized by Belfast Harbours Commissioners, with the kind support of Irish Aid and in cooperation with the Port of Cork Company and Dublin Port company.
Programme
The event will cover the following four modules of the Modern Port Management course:
5. Methods and Tools of Port Management
6. Commercial and Economic Management
7. The Administration and Legal Management of Ports
8. Technical and human Resources Development Management
1st part: e-Learning (learn.unctad.org)
The first part of the training is a mandatory distance learning session from 16 February to 15 March 2026. Candidates will complete the tests during the online sessions in order to qualify for the final certification.
Completing the modules individually and in advance in this blended-learning format ensures thorough knowledge sharing, leaving room for dynamic in-person interactions during the gathering in Belfast.
2nd part: Face-to-face workshop in Belfast
The face-to-face session will be hosted by Belfast Harbour Commissioners from 25 March to 1 April 2026 in Belfast, United Kingdom.
During the face-to-face workshop, participants will contribute to the delivery of the content of the modules alongside the experts from the port partners and UNCTAD. Group exercises will be conducted to stimulate knowledge sharing between the participants. During the same period, a technical port visit will be organised and the Port Endeavor Game will also be played with all the participants as part of the training and capacity building programme.
Objectives
The 3 main objectives are to:
- Train senior and executive managers from the port communities with the knowledge and skills to deliver the “Modern Port Management” course of UNCTAD’s Port Management Programme.
- Develop a framework for the replication of the training in the port communities of the beneficiary countries. At the end of this workshop, the senior managers will have the skills and knowledge to serve as trainers in their own countries; they will be able to use the pedagogical material of UNCTAD Port Management Programme to replicate the training at the national level for the benefit of port managers from their own port community.
- Revise the training package and validate the content during the sessions with port managers
Side events
Technical visit to the Belfast Harbour
A dedicated technical visit of the port facilities of Belfast Harbour will be organised for the participants, providing a comprehensive view of the latest developments in Belfast and its importance to its local economy.
Port Endeavor Game
At the end of the workshop, the Port Endeavor game will be played by the participants with the moderation by the TrainForTrade team and a representative of the International Association of Ports and Harbors. This dedicated session on UN Sustainable Development Goals in ports is a cheerful, interactive and impactful way to conclude the event.
Attendees
The total of 29 port senior managers (12 women), including Chief Executive Officers, from 9 countries (Kenya, Malaysia, Maldives, Namibia, Nigeria, Philippines, Serbia, Solomon Islands and United Republic of Tanzania) will join the event, alongside experts from port partners and international organizations.
