- Date
- From 02/03/2026 to 13/03/2026
- Registration fee
- €5.950,00
- Deadline to apply
- 27/02/2026
- Downloads
- Download brochure (524 KB)
Why
Understanding legal, economic, financial and environmental factors will determine the success of a port governance model.
Keeping up with the latest trends, and best practices in the field of port governance is therefore essential.
For whom
Executive directors and managers that are active in overall port management, port (development) strategy, regional development strategy (with ports as a driver for regional development), planning & development (commercial and infrastructure) and port relations (port-government-communities). Also those new to port strategy and management are welcome.
What
This programme is designed to support experienced port professionals in making robust, well-informed decisions on short, medium and long-term investments and development pathways. Ports operate in an increasingly complex environment characterised by capital-intensive infrastructure, long asset lifecycles, volatile trade flows, regulatory pressure, climate adaptation requirements and growing private sector involvement. In such a context, decision-making based on intuition or precedent alone is no longer sufficient.
The programme consists of four interconnected modules, complemented by practical case work, port visits and strategic discussions on emerging maritime trends.
Port Governance
- This module focuses on the importance of selecting and adapting governance models that are fit for purpose and aligned with the port’s development ambitions. Particular attention is given to the transition towards landlord port models and the role of Public-Private Partnerships, as these structures directly influence investment capacity, concession design and long-term financial sustainability. Participants gain insight into how governance arrangements shape the credibility of masterplans, the bankability of projects and the ability of the port authority to act as a strategic asset manager rather than an operational bottleneck. Of course, insights on stakeholder management are also foreseen in this module.
Concessions Policy
- Concession frameworks determine how value is created and shared, how risks are allocated over time and how performance is monitored and enforced. Poorly designed concessions often lead to underinvestment, renegotiations or loss of strategic control. This module highlights the importance of concessions as long-term strategic commitments rather than isolated transactions. Participants learn how concession parameters such as duration, investment obligations, tariff freedom and other mechanisms affect project bankability and the financial position of the port authority.
Port Management
- Decisions related to capacity expansion, asset utilisation, maintenance strategies and service quality have a direct impact on competitiveness. This module approaches port management as a decision-making discipline. Participants learn how to assess operational performance in relation to traffic forecasts, infrastructure constraints and investment timing. The focus is on aligning operational improvements with long-term development strategies, ensuring that growth plans are realistic, phased and financially sustainable. Emphasis is placed on the port authority’s role in coordinating multiple actors while safeguarding efficiency and resilience.
Pricing Policy
- Pricing policy plays a decisive role in balancing competitiveness and financial sustainability. Tariff decisions directly influence revenue generation, demand patterns and the port’s ability to reinvest in infrastructure and services. This module focuses on pricing as a strategic management tool. Participants learn how to assess cost structures, demand elasticity and competitive positioning to develop pricing strategies that support sustainable growth. Pricing decisions are explicitly linked to financial projections, allowing port managers to understand their impact on cash flows, investment capacity and long-term viability.
Business Case Development And Financial Modelling
- Across all modules, the programme places strong emphasis on the development and use of business cases and financial models as core decision-support tools for port managers. Participants learn how to translate strategic choices, operational improvements and policy decisions into structured financial projections covering capital expenditure, operating costs, revenues and risk scenarios. The experts explain how financial models are built and used to compare alternative development options.
Port Visits And Practical Learning
- To complement the theoretical and analytical components, the programme includes port visits to selected reference ports. These visits provide participants with direct exposure to different governance models, concession arrangements and operational practices. Observing real-world implementations allows participants to better understand how strategic choices translate into day-to-day management and investment outcomes. During the visits, participants engage with senior port management and key stakeholders to discuss challenges, lessons learned and success factors. The objective is not to replicate models, but to critically assess which elements can be adapted to their own port context.
Maritime And Port Sector Trends
- The programme also addresses key trends shaping the future of the maritime and port sector. These include changes in global trade patterns, increasing vessel sizes, digitalisation, energy transition, decarbonisation requirements, climate resilience and evolving logistics chains. Understanding these trends is essential for avoiding stranded assets and ensuring that investments remain relevant over their full lifecycle. Participants learn how to integrate trend analysis into strategic planning and financial modelling, allowing them to anticipate future demands rather than react to them. This forward-looking approach supports more resilient and adaptable port development strategies.