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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Describe the role and function of a port authority in maritime transport 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
244456  Describe the role and function of a port authority in maritime transport 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Transport and Logistics Operations 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 11 - Services Transport, Operations and Logistics 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 
2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard provides a detailed synopsis of the role played by a port authority in the maritime transport system. The qualifying learner will be able to describe various types of ports and their functions, explain the role and function of a port authority and describe the internal and external workings of a port. This underpinning knowledge will form the basis for practice in port operations.

Qualifying learners will be capable of:
  • Explaining the maritime transport industry.
  • Analysing different types of maritime ports.
  • Describing the role of the National Ports Authority.
  • Describing the external functions of a maritime port.
  • Describing the internal functions of a maritime port. 

  • LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that a learner will be competent in:
  • Communication at NQF level 4 or equivalent.
  • Mathematical Literacy at NQF level 4 or equivalent. 

  • UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Explain the maritime transport industry. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Concepts to explain the maritime transport industry includes, but is not limited to:
  • Economies of scale, grouping of trade movements, optimal usage of available capacities, range of services and marketing. 

  • ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The role of the maritime component of the supply chain is described in terms of international trade. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The role of the maritime component of the supply chain is described in the South African context. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Liner services and trampers are defined in terms of long term contract of usage of ships. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The strategic reason for pools and consortiums is explained in relation to maritime transport. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Analyse different types of maritime ports. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Different types of ports are compared in terms of international maritime operations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The physical layout of ports is described and compared in terms of maritime port types. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Infrastructure of ports is described and compared in relation to each maritime port type. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    State and privatised ports are differentiated according to their operations. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Explain the role of the National Ports Authority (NPA). 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The role of the NPA is described in relation to the spheres of government (national, regional and local). 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Commercial Marine services provided to ships are described according to legislation pertaining to ports. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Range of services include, but is not limited to:
  • Pilotage, Tugboats, Signalling, Vessel Tracking, Dredging, Lighthouses, Fire fighting, Ship repair, Security and Bunkering Services.
     

  • ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The relationship between the NPA and terminal operators are analysed in terms of services provided. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Facilities for seaborne traffic are described in terms of NPA provisions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Optimum utilisation of available capacity is determined according to port facilities and infrastructure. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Describe the external functions of a maritime port. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The requirements for ships regarding the access channel are explained in terms of ships' characteristics. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The characteristics of the outer harbour are described for a typical maritime port. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The impact of the breakwaters is described in relation to ship handling. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The procedure leading to the berthing of a ship is described in accordance with port operations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The procedure leading to the sailing (outbound) of a ship is described in accordance with maritime port operations. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Describe the internal functions of a maritime port. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Ship docks are described in terms of their characteristics. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The types of berths are described as required by shipping companies. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Mooring facilities are described according to their characteristics. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The handling of goods is described (Containerisation & Storage) in terms of the berthing plan. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Environmental protection within the berth areas are explained in terms of relevant environmental protection legislation. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Relevant environmental protection legislation includes, but is not limited to:
  • Port Rules, Marine Pollution [Prevention of pollution from ships], ISO 14 000 and MARPOL guidelines regarding Ballast water management.
     


  • UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard and the related Exit Level Outcomes of the Qualification must be accredited by the relevant Education and Training Quality Assurance (ETQA) body.
  • External Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA at its discretion.
  • The accredited Training Provider will oversee internal moderation of assessment.
  • Internal and external moderation should encompass achievement of competence described in the specific outcomes of the unit standard as well as the integrated competence described in the purpose of the unit standard. 

  • UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • International maritime transport industry.
  • Types of ports and their functions.
  • Role and function of the National Ports Authority.
  • Internal and external functions of a port.
  • Marine Pollution (Prevention of pollution from ships) Act 2 of 1986.
  • Port rules relating to pollution.
  • ISO 14 000.
  • MARPOL guidelines regarding Ballast water management. 

  • UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems associated with the role and function of the National Ports Authority by employing responsible decision-making and creative thinking. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group or role-players in applying the functions of the National Ports Authority. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively in fulfilling the role and function of the National Ports Authority. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using appropriate modes of oral and/or written persuasion in dealing with all role-players to fulfil the mandate of the National Ports Authority. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world, as a set of related systems by recognising that problem solving in maritime transport exists in a variety of related contexts. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
  • Assessors must be registered as assessors with a relevant ETQA or an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Assessors must be in possession of a relevant qualification at a minimum of National Qualifications Framework (NQF) level 6. 

  • REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    Supplementary Information:

    For the purpose of this unit standard "port" refers to a harbour or a place where ships berth. 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  58759   National Certificate: Ports and Harbours  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered" 
    2015-06-30  TETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 



    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.