Thematic areas / Port Management
Port Management
TRAINFORTRADE’s Port Management Programme
The UNCTAD TRAINFORTRADE Port Management Programme (PMP) supports port communities in developing countries in delivering more efficient and competitive port management in the future. 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 and strengthen talent management and human resources development in port communities.
The PMP’s main objectives are to:
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Strengthen institutional capacity and management efficiency of ports and related agencies.
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Promote port community participation and public-private partnerships.
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Enhance the competitiveness of ports and the quality of their services.
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Improve the environmental sustainability and social responsibility of ports.
The PMP provides technical assistance in various areas, including port planning, management and operations, logistics and supply chain management, port security, safety and environmental protection, and legal and regulatory frameworks. It also organizes training courses, workshops, and seminars, as well as conducts research and analysis on port-related issues.
The key activities of the PMP include:
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Port Performance Monitoring and Benchmarking
This involves collecting and analyzing data on port performance indicators to assess the efficiency and competitiveness of ports and identify areas for improvement.
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Port Reform and Modernization
This includes providing technical assistance to port authorities and governments in developing and implementing policies and strategies for port reform and modernization.
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Port Community Participation
This involves promoting the participation of all stakeholders in the development and management of ports, including private sector, labor unions, and local communities.
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Capacity Building and Training
This includes organizing training courses, workshops, and seminars for port personnel and other stakeholders to enhance their skills and knowledge in various areas related to port management and operations.
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Technical Assistance and Advisory Services
This includes providing technical assistance and advisory services to port authorities and governments on various issues related to port management and operations.
Overall, the PMP is an important program that plays a significant role in supporting the development of efficient, competitive, and sustainable ports in developing countries, and promoting their integration into the global trading system.
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Core Features
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Worldwide networks of port entities
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Public-private partnerships
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Sustainable training & capacity building programme
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Talent management scheme & value-added solutions in port communities
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Robust methodology for digital knowledge (LCMS)
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“Modern Port Management” high-end course
TRAINFORTRADE’s Port Management Programme
- The Modern Port Management course consists of 240 hours of instruction over a two-year period.
- Participants must successfully complete eight modules and defend a final dissertation in order to obtain the UNCTAD Certificate.
- The course content is adapted to local contexts, and the final dissertation identifies challenges within the participants’ respective ports and proposes concrete management solutions.
Topics covered by the 8 modules
- International trade and transport
- Organisation of a port system
- Functioning of a port system
- Future challenges to ports
- Methods and tools of port management
- Economic and commercial management
- Administrative and legal management
- Technical management and human resources development
Collaboration
North-South, South-South, and triangular regional and international cooperation on knowledge sharing enhanced in line with SDG 17
Partnerships have been developed with European ports that are sharing their knowledge and expertise through the UNCTAD Port Networks in Asian, African, Latin American and Caribbean port communities. Annual regional meetings bring together port officials from different countries, promoting sharing of experiences and expertise. South-south exchange of instructors are regularly conducted inside the Networks in order to increase instructors’ exposure to different port set-up, as well as to facilitate the transfer of knowledge and best practices.
PORT MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME COVERAGE 60 COUNTRIES
The Port Management Programme operates through 3 language-based networks (English, French, and Spanish) in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America. Training in beneficiary ports is delivered by local instructors from the port community, supported by experts from UNCTAD and European ports associated with the programme. Senior managers from the participating ports are also trained to serve as local instructors in order to ensure programme sustainability and local ownerships. Up to now the programme benefited more than 9’500 port managers around the world.
The programme has a strong long-standing presence in Africa covering most of coastal countries from West African corridors as reflected on the map below:
| English speaking network | French speaking network | Spanish speaking network | Portuguese speaking network | Partners |
| Bangladesh Cambodia Ghana India Indonesia Jamaica Kenya Malaysia Maldives Namibia Nigeria Philippines Serbia South Africa Sri Lanka United Republic of Tanzania |
Algeria Benin Cameroon Comoros Congo Côte d’Ivoire Djibouti Gabon Guinea Haiti Madagascar Mauritania Seychelles Senegal Togo Tunisia |
Argentina Bolivia (Plurinational State of) Chile Colombia Costa Rica Cuba Dominican Republic Ecuador El Salvador Guatemala Mexico Nicaragua Peru Uruguay Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) |
Angola Brazil Cape Verde East Timor Guinea Bissau Mozambique Sao Tome & Principe |
Belgium France Ireland Portugal Spain United Kingdom (NI) |
Partner of the month UNCTAD
South-South Cooperation on UN website: Click to visit
Testimonials & video
"The Port Management Programme unites port professionals from developed and developing countries to work on the same challenges. It’s a matter of working together and changing knowledge and experiences."
"I would recommend the port management training to be followed by all management to senior executive levels to refresh and update their knowledge. At the top level, most executives tend to perceive that they know everything, a management myopia to be seen in most organisations."
"The knowledge acquired during this course will have a great impact on ourselves and the domestic ports at large to operate in a standard/world-class manner.”
“The TrainForTrade Port Management Programme ensures a change in leadership behaviour, improves communication skills, and boosts proactive knowledge to facilitate global trade.”
“I am so in love with this work! For those ladies who aspire to work in the field that is not so common for women my advice is – be yourself! Think big and don’t listen to people who tell you that it can’t be done. If I can skillfully handle this crane, why can’t you? Women are both beautiful and hardworking.”