Advanced Marine Terminals Technology, Operations & Safety

Course Introduction

Marine terminals are critical infrastructure for the safe and efficient transfer of oil, gas, LNG, petrochemicals, and other bulk commodities. With increasing environmental concerns, stringent safety regulations, and advanced technologies, professionals managing or operating terminals must be equipped with up-to-date knowledge in design, technology, operations, safety, and risk management.
This course provides participants with the knowledge and tools to ensure safe, efficient, and environmentally compliant terminal operations while adopting best international practices.

Course Objectives

By the end of this program, participants will be able to:

• Understand the design and layout of marine terminals and supporting infrastructure.

• Apply international standards and regulations (ISGOTT, OCIMF, MARPOL, ISPS, SOLAS, etc.).

• Manage safe ship-shore interface, loading/unloading operations, and cargo transfers.

• Identify and mitigate risks related to fire, explosion, spills, and other terminal hazards.

• Implement safety management systems and emergency response procedures.

• Integrate technology, automation, and best practices for efficient and safe terminal operations.

• Conduct audits, incident investigations, and apply lessons learned for continuous improvement.

Who Should Attend

This course is designed for:

• Marine terminal managers and supervisors

• Operations and maintenance engineers

• HSE and risk management professionals

• Port authority officials and regulators

• Marine pilots and shipping officers

• Oil, gas, and petrochemical logistics coordinators

• Safety inspectors and compliance auditors

• Anyone involved in marine cargo transfer, storage, and safety operations

 Course Outline

Day 1: Marine Terminal Fundamentals & Regulatory Framework

• Introduction to marine terminals: types, layouts, and functions

• Cargo types: crude, refined products, LNG, LPG, chemicals

• Cargo properties and safety considerations

• International guidelines and standards: ISGOTT, OCIMF, MARPOL, SOLAS, ISPS Code

• Local/national regulatory compliance requirements

• Case study: overview of past terminal accidents and regulatory responses

Day 2: Marine Terminal Technology & Infrastructure

• Storage tanks: fixed vs. floating roof, pressurized tanks, inspection & maintenance

• Pipelines, pumping systems, and flow control

• Loading and unloading systems: marine loading arms, hoses, quick connect couplers

• Berth, jetty, and quay structures – design and safety considerations

• Instrumentation and control systems: SCADA, alarms, sensors, and automation

• Environmental aspects: spill containment, vapour recovery, emission controls

Day 3: Safe Operations & Ship–Shore Interface

• Pre-transfer planning and ship/shore safety checklists

• Vessel approach, berthing, mooring, and unberthing procedures

• Cargo transfer operations: oil, LNG, LPG, chemicals

• Weather, tidal, and sea condition impacts on operations

• Communication protocols between ship and shore

• Emergency shutdown systems and safety interlocks

• Workshop: ship–shore transfer simulation exercise

Day 4: Risk Management, Fire & Explosion Protection

• Hazard identification and risk assessment techniques (HAZOP, LOPA, FMEA)

• Fire and explosion risks in terminals: ignition sources, vapour clouds, BLEVE

• Hazardous area classification and intrinsically safe equipment

• Fire protection systems: foam, water spray, deluge, fixed & portable extinguishers

• Emergency release couplings and spill response systems

• Emergency response planning and drills

• Case study: major fire/explosion incident in a marine terminal – lessons learned

Day 5: Safety Management, Emergency Preparedness & Continuous Improvement

• Safety management systems (SMS) and safety culture development

• Incident investigation and root cause analysis

• Environmental protection and sustainability practices

• Auditing and compliance monitoring in marine terminals

• Performance improvement: KPIs, benchmarking, and operational excellence

• Technology innovations: IoT, digital twin, remote monitoring

• Group exercise: develop a safety and efficiency improvement action plan

• Course review, open discussion, Q&A, and assessment