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3.7. Port Engineering (PTE)

This knowledge area encompasses the planning, maritime hydraulics, coastal and berthing structures, dredging, cargo handling, and operations and safety of port facilities.

Knowledge Area (KA)	Core Tier1	Core Tier2
3.7.1 Port Planning	Elective
3.7.2 Maritime Hydraulics for Ports	Elective
3.7.3 Breakwater and Coastal Structures	Elective
3.7.4 Berth and Quay Design	Elective
3.7.5 Dredging and Bathymetry	Elective
3.7.6 Cargo Handling and Yard Design	Elective
3.7.7 Port Operations, Safety, and Environmental Management	Elective

3.7.1. PTE/Port Planning ↑ Back to top

Port master planning, site selection, port system planning, and cargo and vessel traffic demand forecasting.
Topics:
Core

• Port master planning process
• Site selection criteria for port development
• Port system planning within national and regional logistics networks
• Cargo and vessel traffic demand forecasting

Learning Outcomes:
Core:

1. Develop a port master plan [Usage]
2. Evaluate candidate sites for port development [Assessment]
3. Describe how a port fits within a national or regional logistics network [Familiarity]
4. Forecast cargo and vessel traffic demand [Usage]

3.7.2. PTE/Maritime Hydraulics for Ports ↑ Back to top

Wave analysis, tide and current characterization, harbor agitation and resonance, and design metocean conditions for port facilities.
Topics:
Core

• Wave generation, propagation, and transformation analysis
• Tide and current characterization for port design
• Harbor agitation and resonance (seiche) analysis
• Design metocean conditions and return-period selection

Learning Outcomes:
Core:

1. Analyze wave generation, propagation, and transformation at a port site [Usage]
2. Characterize tides and currents relevant to port design [Familiarity]
3. Assess harbor agitation and resonance risk for a proposed layout [Assessment]
4. Select design metocean conditions for a given return period [Usage]

3.7.3. PTE/Breakwater and Coastal Structures ↑ Back to top

Breakwater design, revetments and shore protection, armor layer stability, and rubble-mound versus vertical breakwater selection.
Topics:
Core

• Breakwater design fundamentals
• Revetments and shore protection works
• Armor layer stability and unit sizing
• Rubble-mound versus vertical breakwater selection

Learning Outcomes:
Core:

1. Design a breakwater cross-section for specified wave conditions [Usage]
2. Describe revetment and shore protection alternatives [Familiarity]
3. Size armor layer units for hydraulic stability [Usage]
4. Select between rubble-mound and vertical breakwater types for a given site [Assessment]

3.7.4. PTE/Berth and Quay Design ↑ Back to top

Quay wall design, berth dimensioning, mooring systems, and fender system selection and design.
Topics:
Core

• Quay wall design (gravity, sheet pile, and piled structures)
• Berth dimensioning for design vessel classes
• Mooring systems and bollard layout
• Fender system selection and energy absorption design

Learning Outcomes:
Core:

1. Design a quay wall for specified soil and loading conditions [Assessment]
2. Dimension a berth for a design vessel class [Usage]
3. Lay out a mooring system and bollard arrangement [Usage]
4. Specify a fender system based on berthing energy absorption requirements [Assessment]

3.7.5. PTE/Dredging and Bathymetry ↑ Back to top

Access channel design, dredging methods, disposal of dredged material, and bathymetric survey principles.
Topics:
Core

• Access channel and turning basin design
• Dredging equipment and methods selection
• Disposal and beneficial reuse of dredged material
• Bathymetric survey principles and data processing

Learning Outcomes:
Core:

1. Design an access channel and turning basin for a design vessel [Usage]
2. Select appropriate dredging equipment and methods for given site conditions [Assessment]
3. Evaluate disposal and beneficial reuse options for dredged material [Familiarity]
4. Process bathymetric survey data to support channel design [Usage]

3.7.6. PTE/Cargo Handling and Yard Design ↑ Back to top

Cargo handling equipment selection, container and bulk cargo yard layout, and container terminal design.
Topics:
Core

• Cargo handling equipment (ship-to-shore cranes, yard cranes, conveyors)
• Yard layout and storage capacity planning
• Container terminal design and throughput sizing
• Bulk and break-bulk cargo facility design

Learning Outcomes:
Core:

1. Select cargo handling equipment appropriate to a given cargo type [Familiarity]
2. Plan yard layout and storage capacity for projected throughput [Usage]
3. Size a container terminal for projected throughput [Usage]
4. Describe design requirements for bulk and break-bulk cargo facilities [Familiarity]

3.7.7. PTE/Port Operations, Safety, and Environmental Management ↑ Back to top

Terminal capacity and throughput analysis, intermodal integration with logistics chains, ISPS Code security requirements, and port environmental management.
Topics:
Core

• Terminal capacity and throughput analysis
• Intermodal integration with inland logistics chains
• Port facility security under the ISPS Code
• Port environmental management and sustainability

Learning Outcomes:
Core:

1. Analyze terminal capacity and throughput [Assessment]
2. Describe intermodal integration with inland logistics chains [Familiarity]
3. Explain port facility security requirements under the ISPS Code [Familiarity]
4. Assess port environmental management and sustainability practices [Assessment]