Digitalisation in Port Terminals Course
Online 300-hour course in digitalisation in Port Terminals. 6 modules covering Regulation (EU) 2019/1239, the European maritime single window environment, Directive (EU) 2022/2555, NIS 2 and Navis N4. Personal tutor assigned and enrolment open.
Digitalisation in Port Terminals Course — studying from Malta
Malta's civil engineering sector is active, driven by ongoing construction, infrastructure upgrades, coastal works and urban regeneration projects across the islands. Demand for civil engineers is closely linked to public works, land development and the modernisation of transport networks. Smart city initiatives, including digital mapping, traffic management and sustainable urban planning, are increasingly relevant. Engineers typically find employment with contractors, consultancies, government departments and utility providers managing infrastructure in a densely populated environment.
Fees for Malta: €448 (Euro), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Malta
Typical roles
Questions from Malta
Which Maltese bodies regulate civil engineering and related professional practice?
The Chamber of Engineers (KSU) regulates the use of the title 'engineer' in Malta under the Engineering Profession Act. Planning and development matters fall under the Planning Authority, and public works and transport infrastructure involve government agencies including Transport Malta. A SEIUM qualification does not itself grant a regulated title; recognition is decided by employers or the relevant body.
What employers in Malta would value civil, rail or smart city engineering skills?
Malta's construction, infrastructure, consultancy and public sector firms are the main employers, along with transport and utilities bodies. Smart city and digital infrastructure work is growing in some areas. Employers typically look for chartered-level experience and licensing, so a private qualification should be seen as supporting your professional development rather than a substitute for those requirements.
How can I study this while working on site, and what support is there?
The programme is delivered entirely online in English, so you can study from anywhere in Malta without a student visa. Each student has an assigned technical tutor, and the course ends with a final project. Time commitment depends on the programme length, from 300 to 1,900 hours. Ask about instalment payments and employer sponsorship to help manage costs.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Understand the processes of a port terminal and its digital maturity.
Manage the functions of a Terminal Operating System.
Evaluate automation and IoT solutions in terminals.
Apply analytics, simulation and digital twins to operations.
Integrate cybersecurity into port digitalisation.
Calculate the return on digital investments.
Prepare a digitalisation roadmap for a terminal.
Who it's for
- Port digital transformation manager who wants to specialise in Digitalisation in Port Terminals.
- Terminal operations analyst who wants to specialise in Digitalisation in Port Terminals.
- Port automation engineer who wants to specialise in Digitalisation in Port Terminals.
- Smart Port consultant who wants to specialise in Digitalisation in Port Terminals.
- TOS systems specialist who wants to specialise in Digitalisation in Port Terminals.
- Logistics data analyst who wants to specialise in Digitalisation in Port Terminals.
- Graduates in engineering or sciences who want to enter port terminals.
What you'll work with
- Regulation (EU) 2019/1239, European maritime single window environment
- Directive (EU) 2022/2555, NIS 2
- UN/EDIFACT, electronic data interchange standards (SMDG)
- ISA/IEC 62443, security of industrial automation and control systems
- ISO 28000, supply chain security management systems
- ISO/IEC 27001, information security management systems
- IMO FAL Convention, facilitation of international maritime traffic
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Terminal types: containers, bulk and ro-ro1.2Terminal processes: quay, yard and gate1.3Classic productivity indicators1.4Digital maturity of terminals1.5Port 4.0 and Smart Port1.6Agents and systems in the port ecosystem1.7Data exchange standards1.8Cases from Rotterdam, Singapore and Valencia1.9Barriers to digitalisation1.10Case study: digital diagnosis of a terminal
2.1Terminal Operating System: functions2.2Berth planning2.3Stowage and discharge planning2.4Yard management and block allocation2.5Gate management and truck appointments2.6Equipment systems: STS and RTG cranes2.7Integration with port community systems2.8EDIFACT messaging: BAPLIE, COPRAR and CODECO2.9Maritime single window2.10Workshop: stowage plan with BAPLIE messages
3.1Automated and semi-automated terminals3.2Automated guided vehicles3.3Automated and remotely operated cranes3.4OCR, RFID and container recognition3.5Equipment sensors and predictive maintenance3.6Private 5G connectivity3.7GNSS positioning of equipment3.8Functional safety in automation3.9Employment impact and transition3.10Practice: IoT architecture for crane maintenance
4.1Port data platforms4.2Productivity analytics and bottleneck analysis4.3Arrival forecasting using AIS data4.4Optimisation with operational research4.5Terminal simulation with discrete events4.6Port digital twins4.7Machine learning applied to the yard4.8Visualisation and dashboards4.9Data quality and governance4.10Laboratory: yard simulation with AnyLogic
5.1Threats to port systems5.2ENISA guidelines for ports5.3OT security in terminals5.4Port incident response5.5Organisational change management5.6Staff training5.7Procurement of technology solutions5.8Return on digital investment5.9Transformation roadmap5.10Case study: lessons from the NotPetya attack on Maersk
6.1Terminal characterisation6.2Digital maturity diagnosis6.3Objectives and use cases6.4Terminal systems architecture6.5Process automation plan6.6Data and cybersecurity plan6.7Economic analysis of digitalisation6.8Digitalisation roadmap6.9Report and presentation6.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine study with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Navis N4, AnyLogic, Microsoft Power BI, Python with pandas, MarineTraffic, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real procedures for diagnosing a terminal's digital maturity, simulating yard operations and designing a port systems architecture. Assessment is continuous across each module plus the final integrating project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Understand the processes of a port terminal and its digital maturity.
Manage the functions of a Terminal Operating System.
Evaluate automation and IoT solutions in terminals.
Apply analytics, simulation and digital twins to operations.
Integrate cybersecurity into port digitalisation.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior degree is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient command of Spanish to follow technical regulatory texts.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme comprises 300 hours in total, spread over 3 to 5 months. That is between 10 and 15 hours per week on average, compatible with a full-time job.
You will work with Navis N4, AnyLogic, Microsoft Power BI, Python with pandas, MarineTraffic. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
An SEIUM own diploma on passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. It is in-house training, not an official Ministry qualification.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area can be credited towards the advanced programme. Check the credit transfer policy when you enrol.
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