IMPA Foundation Course for Marine Purchasing and Supply

The online entry-level programme designed by industry experts to educate active and aspiring marine purchasers and suppliers who are new, or relatively new, to the maritime industry.

Why is the maritime industry essential for global trade and who are its main actors? What types of vessels are out there and what does one mean by logistics? What do maritime purchasers and suppliers do in the great scheme of things and how do they assist the supply chain process? What role do various international organisations play in the shaping and operation of international shipping?

In an increasingly more complex industry, IMPA and its wide network of industry experts are delighted to bring a new education programme that will offer students a basic-level understanding of the maritime industry and its main players, the key roles in the marine supply chain, the various elements of marine purchasing, procurement and logistics, as well as the more recent developments in technology and sustainability. Our foundation course offers the opportunity to study across a wide range of modules in the areas of Marine Purchasing and Procurement, Marine Logistics, Supply Chain and Technology, and Sustainability and Procurement.

Our foundation course will develop your understanding of the shipping industry and the job of maritime purchasers and suppliers, improve you intellectual and critical faculties, encourage you to think independently and teach you to present rational, coherent and accurate arguments orally and in writing. It will provide you with an excellent foundation for a career in maritime procurement and supply.

Start Date

17 April 2025

Duration

Minimum 12 weeks

Study Time

4 - 6 hours per week

Study Mode

Online

Download Prospectus

What we look for

As this is an entry-level course delivered in English, our entry requirements are minimal, but include:

The student must be new to or largely unfamiliar with the maritime industry and either strongly considering or has recently taken up an entry-level position as a junior marine buyer or supplier;

The student must have a satisfactory level of English, equivalent to upper-intermediate across writing, listening, speaking and reading bands.

The student must have a stable internet connection and a suitable device at home, such as a computer, laptop or tablet, that can access the online platform we use for the course delivery.

The student must show enthusiasm, commitment and eagerness to learn the basics of the maritime industry and supply chain.

Structure

Delivered online with no time limits, the IMPA Foundation Course for Marine Purchasing and Supply is the perfect choice for professionals or students with busy daily schedules who prefer to take the course in time, at their own pace, and ensures their smoother integration into the maritime world.

Module

Day

FOU01 - Introduction to the Maritime Industry

The ability of shipping to offer both economic and efficient long-distance transport inevitably places it at the centre of the world economy. In this module, the student will gain an overview of why the maritime industry is essential for global trade, develop an understanding about the industry’s key features and actors, including company types, vessel types and sizes, and port locations, as well as gain an initiation into the world of marine procurement and logistics.

Module

Day

FOU02 - Key Roles in the Marine Supply Chain

People are a crucial component in the maritime supply chain. In this module, the student will gain a clear understanding of the various relevant categories of offshore, onshore and port personnel, as well as what each role is designed to do.

Module

Day

FOU03 - Marine Purchasing & Procurement

Procurement sits at the heart of the value creation process for a company. In this module, the student will learn the basics of identifying need, specifying requirements for different categories of goods and services needed, successful supplier relationship management and more.

Module

Day

FOU04 - Marine Logistics

Maritime logistics is the process of planning, implementing and managing the movement of goods and information involved in the ocean carriage.

Module

Day

FOU05 - Marine Supply Chain and Technology

Technology has been reshaping the maritime industry for over two decades. New technologies promise to completely transform shipping.

Module

Day

FOU06 - Sustainability and Procurement

Procurement departments have a huge role in making purchasing decisions that have a lower negative impact on people and the environment. In this role, you will find out what you can do to improve corporate sustainability.

Teaching & assessment

All students will be given 24/7 access to our online learning platform for a duration of 12 months in which they must take the course and pass the final examination.

Teaching will be carried out through a mixture of video seminars that can be watched at your convenience, written lessons and additional reading materials.

During our programmes, students learn as much from each other as they learn from the lecturers; as a result, it is expected of you to display commitment and continually get involved in online group discussions.

Assessment will be by a final multiple-question exam.

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

Fees

GBP 299.00 for IMPA Corporate Members;

GBP 349.00 for non-members.

Packages for both individual applicants and companies applying for a larger cohort of juniors will be available.

Our promise is that we will strive to make pricing fair, accessible and fully reflecting the value on offer.

Funding

One scholarship opportunity every year - The Jan Johannessen bursary

As always with each IMPA course, IMPA is delighted to offer, once per year, one lucky applicant a scholarship opportunity to undertake the course at no cost. Potential applicants to this programme are being asked to write a 1000 word application paper on ‘the importance of education in maritime procurement’.

Keep an eye on this space for when the scholarship application window opens and the link to apply appears. Please do not apply before the scholarship application link appears. Please note we do not accept entries by email.