The eThekwini Maritime Cluster, in partnership with Transnet Port Terminals and the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education, recently hosted a teachers’ workshop followed by a site visit at Pier 1 of the Durban Container Terminal. The initiative was designed to provide Maritime Economics educators with practical, real-world insight into port and terminal operations – a key component of the Maritime Economics curriculum.

The programme began with a comprehensive safety briefing, outlining the strict safety protocols required when operating within a high-activity port environment. Educators were then taken through an overview of terminal operations, including the rules and regulations governing imports and exports, cargo handling procedures, and the broader port value chain.

During the tour, teachers gained first-hand exposure to both waterside and landside operations. They observed how containers are received from vessels, offloaded using specialised equipment, stacked in the yard, and transported through coordinated logistics systems before final dispatch. The session also highlighted the planning and coordination required to ensure efficiency, productivity, and compliance within terminal operations.

By bridging classroom theory with practical industry experience, the workshop equips educators with deeper insight into cargo movement, logistics systems, and port processes. The aim of this initiative is to strengthens the teaching of Maritime Economics and inspires learners to consider careers within South Africa’s maritime sector.

Activities such as these reinforce the importance of collaboration between industry and education in shaping a knowledgeable and future-ready maritime workforce.