MSc in Maritime Economics and Logistics

The MSc in Maritime Economics and Logistics (MEL) is a unique, postgraduate/post-experience international MSc Course offered by one of the world's top universities, at the shipping, transport and logistics heart of Europe. The Programme is jointly offered by the Erasmus School of Economics and the Rotterdam School of Management, the two world-class Schools of Erasmus University Rotterdam. A careful balance between theory and practice is achieved through close cooperation with The Port of Rotterdam (PoR); Maersk Line; APM Terminals; BIMCO; DVB Bank, ABN AMRO Bank; and Europe Container Terminals (ECT). Participants are required to successfully complete the entire Programme in 12 Months earning the prestigious MSc degree in Maritime Economics and Logistics (MEL).

Duration:	12 months full-time (2 years part-time)
Start of the next class:	1 October 2013
Fees:	For Academic Year 2013/2014: Euro 23,350 (full-time programme) Euro 11,675 (per year for the part-time programme) (All financial arrangements to be completed before the start of the course)
Admissions Criteria:	Bachelor's Degree or (very exceptionally) compensating equivalent professional experience.

Introduction

It is often said that one in three trucks running on European motorways is Dutch. Also, with a cargo turnover of over 400 million tons a year, Rotterdam is the world's 4th biggest port -after Shanghai, Ningbo and Singapore- and, by far, the undisputed European champion, also in container transport and terminal business. By general recognition, Netherlands, the gateway to Europe, is at the forefront of innovation in transport and logistics. The country's shipping policy offers companies one of the most attractive business environments in Europe, successfully challenging all traditional shipping centres. Erasmus, Rotterdam's own university, is at the very centre of all this, distilling the country's knowledge infrastructure in its MSc Course in Maritime Economics and Logistics (MEL); a post-graduate/post-experience international programme aimed at transforming promising young professionals into tomorrow's leaders in business and government.

Our objective is to fast-tracking promising young professionals into tomorrow's leaders in business and government. The program prepares experts with modern economic and management tools for efficient decision-making, providing them at the same time with methods; concepts; and theories to enable them understand and analyze, in a holistic and multidisciplinary way, the complexities of global maritime supply chains. In this way, MEL graduates are expected to be able to act and decide, with managerial style and determination, under complex and uncertain conditions, in a global economic and social environment.

The emphasis of our courses is not on ‘informational’ or ‘ephemeral’ content, but rather on fundamental industrial, economic, and management concepts and methods, of lasting effect, that can be used to explain business practices on the one hand, and policy making processes on the other. To this end, a combination of theory and practice is required. The more conceptual matters are dealt with by University staff while practical aspects are discussed by our partners, such as Maersk Line; APM Terminals; Port of Rotterdam; Europe Container Terminals (ECT); BIMCO; DVB Bank; ABN AMRO Bank.

With students coming from all over the world; more than 50 academic and professional staff from the Erasmus Faculties of Economics and Business Administration; industry partners; visiting professors; and an extensive corporate network, the Erasmus MEL is a spearhead in Holland's maritime cluster and an ambassador of the Nation's leading role in maritime affairs.

MEL is the only taught course of its kind that combines, in a holistic way, shipping, ports, terminal management, and maritime logistics in the academic environment of two of Europe's top Schools: The Erasmus School of Economics and the Rotterdam School of Management. Together with academic excellence, however, MEL strives to achieve a fine balance between theory and practice. This is assured by the selection of our partners and the involvement of our Corporate Network. Through guest lectures, seminars and company visits, MEL students are continuously confronted with the preconceptions of 'conventional wisdom' and learn how to place them in their proper and wider economic perspective.

In addition, our extensive Corporate Network enables MEL students to seek internship and employment opportunities in the most prestigious 'blue chip' organisations and, in many cases, take advantage of their infrastructure and information systems while writing their thesis.

The University's long tradition in transport studies started with the work on shipping and shipbuilding by our late colleague, Professor Jan Tinbergen, Nobel Prize Laureate in Economics. This tradition continues nowadays through the PhD programmes in transport and logistics of the Tinbergen Institute, the Erasmus Research Institute of Management (ERIM), and the Transport, Infrastructure and Logistics (TRAIL) Research Schools. Thus, cutting-edge research, often externally funded, finds its way to the classroom in a top-down manner. Emphasis on applied research is based on our firm belief that, notwithstanding the importance of 'research for the sake of research', in a discipline as applied as transport and logistics the value of research is demonstrated by society's willingness to underwrite it.

I trust that this website answers your questions about MEL, and I look forward to welcoming you to Rotterdam and to our University.

Prof.dr. Bert de Groot
MEL General Manager

Welcome by the Rector

No industry has ever been so global as shipping. In an integrated Europe, no sector can successfully challenge the conventional wisdom of national policies as ports. In an era of global production and sourcing, few would question the importance of transport logistics; an area where, by general recognition, the Netherlands is a pioneer in innovative solutions.

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) has a strong international profile and internationalisation of studies is one of our University's strongest strategies. This strategy is firmly rooted in two beliefs.

First, internationalisation helps us bridge cultural differences and dovetails our vested interests in each other. This can only lead to a more peaceful and harmonious coexistence.

Second, the sheer complexity of globalisation and the increasing interconnectedness among nations pose new challenges to decision-making at all levels. More often than not, narrowly focused decisions in business or government result in sub-optimal, if not completely erroneous or irrelevant, decisions. Only too often have we seen governments being punished for their policies by capital markets and prestigious companies brought to the brink of collapse by failing to comprehend the complexities and implications of the environment in which they operate.

This is the underlying theme of the MSc in Maritime Economics and Logistics (MEL). Undoubtedly, the goal of the programme is to produce experts, but experts who can identify with our philosophy of "think globally, act locally". To adhere to this principle myself, the only thing that remains after having expressed my global convictions is to act locally and welcome you to Erasmus University Rotterdam and to our thriving city, Rotterdam, the gateway to Europe.

prof. dr. Henk Schmidt
Rector Magnificus

Top 10 Reasons to study MEL

Reputation of Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR)

Consistently ranked as one of the top universities in the world by The Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, Times Educational Supplement, etc. EUR is the only European university that can boast three winners of the Nobel Prize in Economics: Jan Tinbergen (1969), Tjalling Koopmans (1975) and Sir Clive Granger (2003).

Fully Accredited

By decision of the EUR Board of Governors, the MEL programme is offered jointly by the Erasmus School of Economics and the Rotterdam School of Management. Both Schools are jointly the degree-awarding bodies. MEL enjoys double accreditation by NVAO (Netherlands Flemish Accreditation Organisation) and AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business). This means that the MEL Degree can be officially certified by the Ministry of Education of The Netherlands and it is therefore a fully recognised degree in Europe and beyond.

Corporate Network

The MEL Corporate Network comprises more than 50 ‘blue chip’ multinational companies and organisations. Most notable among them are the Port of Rotterdam; Maersk Line; APM Terminals; BIMCO; Royal Vopak; Fortis Bank; DVB Bank; Hutchison Port Holdings (ECT); and Neptune Orient Lines (NOL). Companies that join the Corporte Network do so by recognising MEL’s role in educating top maritime professionals, in doing research and being a knowledge and excellence centre in the sector. Corporate Network members provide peer advice on future MEL direction, interact with MEL students through lectures, social events, and internships, recruit among MEL students and, in general, are eager to be associated, in a multitude of ways, with MEL.

Internships

Many MEL students write their theses together with a summer internship in an external organisation, typically a member of the MEL Corporate Network. This is an ideal combination of theory and practice: students’ methodological armoury is applied to an actual business problem, while host companies invariably benefit too from the "fresh" ideas of enthusiastic MEL students. Internship hosts often become the employers of the trainees, following a job well done.

Employment Opportunities

One in two MEL students have job offers before graduation and the remaining 50% usually secure employment contracts in less than three months after graduation. This record compares favourably with that of the best MBAs.

Comprehensive Curriculum

MEL places substantial emphasis on including the views, experience and requirements of the industry in the design, contents and development of the MEL curriculum. Intensive industry consultation has proven successful not only in attracting top students but also in gaining recognition of MEL as the leading MSc in the sector. MEL is the program that coined the term maritime logistics, i.e. the holistic, integrated approach to the study of international transport, ports, terminals and global logistics. Following extensive industry consultation, MEL has compiled a curriculum of 13 modules which aim - through their philosophy and individual learning objectives - at composing a holistic and tightly knitted, integrated, approach to the understanding and analysis of global maritime supply chains of production-transport-distribution, where ocean transportation and port and terminal management play a pivotal role.

ERIM Research Institute

In terms of research and education, most of the MEL Resident Faculty participates in the Business Processes, Logistics and Information Systems (LIS) programme of the Erasmus Research Institute of Management (ERIM). ERIM was recently assessed as one of the top three management schools in Europe and it is accredited by the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW).

MEL Research

For years, MEL research has ‘defined’ the field of maritime economics and logistics. Most of our research has been funded by external organisations such as the European Commission and The World Bank. Consultancy work has taken MEL to the four corners of the earth, from Korea to Brazil and from Norway to Greece. The academic staff publishes in leading journals. Cutting-edge research is presented at academic conferences. This research output plays a major part in the MEL curriculum.

Truly International

Several bachelor’s, majors and virtually all master’s programmes of our University are given in English. In recent years the EUR campus has become so international that, walking around these days, you will find it difficult to hear any other language but English. The MEL classroom typically has nationals from between 15 and 20 different countries.

10.

Rotterdam

Indisputably, Rotterdam is a world leader and role model in port, transport and logistics innovation. This state-of-the-art expertise finds its way to the MEL classroom through corporate partnerships, seminars, workshops and case studies. In the last ten years, Rotterdam has been transformed from a ‘working port city’ to one of the most attractive and thriving living environments in The Netherlands. Arts, culture, entertainment and sports make up an enviable cosmopolitan metropolis and popular tourist destination. More than half of Rotterdam’s inhabitants carry a foreign passport.

Programme

The MSc in Maritime Economics and Logistics (MEL) aims at fast-tracking promising young professionals into tomorrow's leaders in business and government. The programme prepares experts with modern economic and management tools for efficient decision-making, providing them at the same time with methods; concepts; and theories to enable them understand, in a holistic and multidisciplinary way, the complexities of global maritime supply chains. In this way, MEL graduates are expected to be able to act and decide, with managerial style and determination, under complex and uncertain conditions, in a global economic and societal environment.

Programme Structure

On the basis of feedback from MEL alumni, academics, and industry experts, MEL Management has designed a new structure for the 2012-2013 Academic Year. In line with the latest insights, the number of courses taken in parallel is limited to three. Each course has a fixed length of three weeks and accounts for 1.5 ECTS credits (42 study hours). The diagram illustrates the overall structure of the MEL programme.

With this new structure, the study load is distributed very evenly and students have only to focus on three different topics at a time. Each block of three weeks has a set of three courses that are taken in that period.

The MEL Programme starts with an introduction to MEL, to Erasmus University Rotterdam, to Rotterdam, and the Netherlands. In this week we also spend time on the practical issues of studying at MEL and the resources that are available to MEL students.

Ater the introduction week, the first block of three modules will start. This will be a course on Marine Technology and Innovation ("C1.1"), an introductory course on Statistics ("C1.2"), and a course on the core elements of Economics ("C1.3").

This pattern is then repeated: each block lasts three weeks and features three courses. Some topics in the programme are taught in a number of courses. The topic of Economics for example consists three closely linked courses that are taught in close succession.

Course Setup

A typical course will have three to four hours of lectures per week. The student on average spends an additional ten hours per course to study the material discussed, to work on assignments, and to revise.

Group work is an integral part of the MEL teaching philosophy. All students bring a unique background to the MEL classroom. The MEL programme embraces its highly diverse student body. The variation in nationalities, educational backgrounds and work experience allows students to actively contribute to the overall MEL experience.

The format of the courses of the current curriculum is translated into the new format during the 2012-2013 Academic Year. MEL management and lecturers are working hard to retain the core values of the programme and use the new structure to its full benefit.

Electives

In the third block students can choose to take a number of electives (EL). The Class of 2013 will be able to select electives that focus on Port Management and Maritime Logistics.

Assessment

This revised programme structure enables an even better implementation of the MEL policy of continuous assessment. The method of assessment varies from a written exam to assignments and term papers. Relatively short modules provide faster feedback to the students. This facilitates the introduction of students with different backgrounds to the educational system at Erasmus University Rotterdam.

Events

The MEL programme features a high-quality range of special events to combine the perspective of the classroom with the applications in industry: the Distinguished Lecture Series, Company Visits and the Professional Development Courses.

The events range from port and company visits to in-house days at prestigious companies. The Distinguished Lecture Series provides MEL students with an opportunity to interact with leading business executives and learn about their latest insights.

The Professional Development Courses are offered in partnership with external organisations and take the form of intensive seminars of two to three day duration.

Schedule

The programme runs for a full year. The breaks after several weeks of intense study provide students with an opportunity to unwind and reconnect with friends and family. The completion of the programme is celebrated at the Graduation Ceremony, which typically features a leader from the maritime industry as the keynote speaker.

NB: The week numbers indicate the weeks within the programme that are used for lecturing. The start of the programme and the breaks are scheduled to align with the official academic and holiday calendars in The Netherlands. Thus, the exact schedule has slight differences for each academic year.

Week	Content
1	Programme Introduction
2	C1.1	C1.2	C1.3	E v e n t s
5	C2.1	C2.2	C2.3
8	C3.1	C3.2	C3.3
11	Methodology
	break
12	C4.1	C4.2	C4.3	E v e n t s
15	C5.1	C5.2	C5.3
18	C6.1	C6.2	C6.3
21	C7.1	C7.2	C7.3
	break
24	C8.1	C8.2	EL	E v e n t s
27	C9.1	C9.2	EL
30	C10.1	C10.2	EL
33	C11.1	C11.2	EL
	break
	Thesis
	Thesis Defense
50	Graduation

Courses

The courses provide the backbone of the MSc programme.

NB: With the introduction of the new programme structure for the 2012-2013 Academic Year, the courses that make up the programme will change. The current courses that are listed here will provide the core of the new programme so all these topics will still be covered. However, the precise module names may change.

Course: Shipping Economics and Policy

Background

Competition and technological advancement in ship construction have lowered transport costs and made ocean transportation an unquestionable facilitator of world trade, growth and prosperity. Shipping management is an extremely complex function. In bulk shipping, high market volatility and unpredictability require lean organisation and effective decision-making, both in operations and asset management. Multimodal transport, logistics and the complexity of global maritime supply chains in liner shipping require highly sophisticated operational solutions. Capital concentration and intensified global competition in shipping require managerial skills that include a thorough understanding of the institutional framework of international shipping and the way it affects the well-being of the company. For instance, the ever-increasing body of international rules and standards with regard to ship safety and environmental protection makes the adoption of a safety management culture a sine qua non in corporate thinking.

Objectives

The objectives of the course are to enable students understand, analyze and appraise, from a research viewpoint, shipping economics theories and trends and the role shipping plays in global maritime supply chains. In addition, the aim is to afford students a broad and thorough understanding of international shipping and trade policy issues, thus offering them the strong comparative advantage of being able to put their managerial decisions in the proper industrial and trade policy perspective.

Programme Update

NB: The new MEL programme structure will be introduced in the academic year 2012-2013. This means that the names of some of the courses will change and that most courses will be split into a number of smaller modules. MEL Management is currently working on the new programme and will post updates as soon as information becomes available.

Course: Port Economics and Policy

Background

Trade liberalisation and intensified global competition pose new challenges on the port industry. Ports around the world are losing their traditional character as mere interface points between land and sea and assume a more decisive role, as vital nodes in complex global maritime supply chains. Sophisticated shipping networks and easily accessed hinterlands intensify competition among container terminals, requiring efficient management and strategic vision. Governments are becoming aware of the importance of ports in their export-led growth strategies and are increasingly introducing private sector characteristics in port administration.

Objectives

The objective of the course is to equip students with the necessary knowledge and analytical skills required for the efficient management and development of a port, and to enable them develop and evaluate port policies under a holistic understanding of a port's significance to the national economy and international maritime supply chains.

Programme Update

Course: Maritime Logistics

Background

Container cariers today are taking an important step forward by transforming themselves from pure carriers -just offering port to port services- into fully integrated logistics providers. In this way they aim at gaining control over the global supply chain, for differentiation and competitive advantage. Examples include Maersk, APL, NYK and Cosco, among others. Such carrier strategies are being developed in competition with third party logistics service providers on the one hand, and global terminal operators on the other. Developments in containership sizes and the ensuing hub-and-spoking pose new challenges on efficient distribution and logistics. This highlights the important role of container terminals; the interest of carriers in dedicated facilities; and the need to optimize liner networks jointly with terminal management.

Objectives

The objective of this course is to provide students with a deep understanding of the interrelations between terminal design and operations on the one hand, and liner shipping networks on the other. The essence of the course is in its holistic approach to shipping and terminals, as the only approach in understanding modern day maritime logistics.

Programme Update

Course: Logistics and Supply Chain Management

Background

Trade liberalisation, globalisation and the new international division of labour pose new challenges on the manufacturing process. Global production and sourcing necessitates the integration of manufacturing with advanced marketing strategies and logistics support. This is facilitated by the advances in communications and information technologies that have been real catalysts in logistics control and inventory management, as well as in the more efficient and effective management of the distribution process. Awareness of the value of time has led to advanced Just-in-Time inventory control, and flexible manufacturing systems. In addition, the widespread dissemination of information to consumers is influencing their price/quality decisions, leading to enhanced emphasis on Total Quality Management. These developments pose significant challenges on transportation systems: decisions on the sourcing of inputs, manufacturing, assembly, packaging and warehousing now assume a global perspective, and transport systems play an important part in linking all this together. This is done in such a way as to optimise total operations, minimise costs and prices and lead to increased consumer welfare and growth.

Objectives

This course offers students a thorough understanding of the complexities of international transport logistics as well as of the Decision Support Systems (DSS) required to optimize it. DSS are introduced and some successful applications of DSS related to planning, vessel routing, warehousing and product distribution are taught. The basic philosophy of this course is rooted in the belief that in an era of intensified competition, global production and outsourcing, managers and policy makers with an in-depth understanding of the complex transport-distribution networks are definitely in possession of a strong competitive advantage. Such an understanding becomes essential for effective management, given that transport is no longer an activity outside the domain and control of the manager, but an integral part of company strategy and a critical factor for export / import performance.

Programme Update

Course: Maritime Law

Objectives

Understand the major academic and professional issues in Maritime Law and the way law impacts the efficiency of commercial shipping operations; develop an awareness of the problems and risks arising from the operation of the ship; develop an understanding of how the law in general and contracts in particular can be used to deal with such problems and risks. At the end of the course students should be able to explain the fundamentals of Maritime Law as they pertain to authorities, rights, duties and responsibilities in the commercial operation of sea going merchant ships. They will also be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of maritime laws and rules governing merchant shipping and transport activities. The course comprises the fundamentals of public law international system; maritime zones in the modern law of the sea; shipbuilding contracts; cargo claims; marine insurance; cargo insurance and international trade; CIF and FOB contracts; transfer of risk and property; seller's duties regarding goods and documents and buyer's duty to pay; maritime causalities; collision; salvage; general average; tonnage limitation of liability; issues in arbitration and jurisdiction.

Programme Update

Course: Marine Technology and Innovation

Background

Ships are capital intensive, complex assets of advanced technology, capabilities and earning potential. Their values, both of new and secondhand, critically depend on such characteristics. A good understanding therefore of marine technology and innovation is a prerequisite for efficient shipping operations, sound investments, and competitiveness. Such an understanding includes the rich historical development of ships and their innovations; their technical and legal requirements and restrictions; and a general overview of aspects like main dimensions, hull forms, propulsion and powering systems, the anatomy of a ship, its safety (including stability); and an overview of the design, engineering and production processes including an overview of cost drivers. Based on examples, a formal shipping innovation methodology is presented, which structures the complex process of identifying innovation triggers, performance benchmarking, S-curve shifts and design creativity.

Objectives

The objective of the Marine Technology and Innovation module is to provide students with sufficient knowledge of ship design and operations which will assist them operate as better managers and informed investors or financiers. Students should also understand processes that trigger innovation in shipping and its impact on ports and other parts of the supply chain.

Programme Update

Course: Transport and Regional Economics

Background

Transport infrastructure, including ports, has been invariably seen by governments and local authorities as a growth-pole for regional and national development. Notable examples of this have been the Maritime Industrial Development Areas, or MIDAs, of Rotterdam and Antwerp. Many countries have thus channeled substantial public resources to the development of their infrastructure. At the same time, commercial pressures; government retrenchment from economic activity; and the availability of substantial amounts of private capital, in search of attractive investment opportunities, have changed the parameters of transport project financing. These developments have also led to a more commercially oriented approach to the management and pricing of infrastructure and to the design of transport policies that are demand-driven and user-oriented. Contributing factors to these changes are globalisation, the advent of global supply chains, and an increasingly stronger voice for sustainable transport systems, able to contain transport externalities such as congestion and environmental pollution. As a result, transport planning, operations and pricing require the use of accurate and scientific models for the objective evaluation of costs, benefits and other impacts of transport infrastructure development. Given the conflicting economic, social and political interests at play, this is not always easy. For example, the European Union stresses the importance of a level playing field in intra-European transport; national governments design policies focussing on national issues; and individual operators seek policies that optimise their own business results. This intricate web of interconnected interests provides the setting for policy-makers who now have to function with more flexibility, knowledge, innovation and open-mindedness in a rapidly changing socio-economic environment.

Objectives

The course aims at enabling students understand, discuss and elaborate on the key aspects of Transport and Regional Economics in a global supply chain context. At the end of the course, students should be able to carry out economic modelling of transportation problems; appraise transport management and related practices; and critically evaluate transport policies. In essence, students will be able to take decisions with reference to transport policy and transport company management and identify, understand and contextualize the economic concepts underlying such decisions.

Programme Update

Course: Management Science

Background

The complexities of international transport and global maritime supply chains and the formulation of related policies often require analysis and decision making through advanced modeling and related tools. Examples of such complexities include pricing strategies; traffic forecasting; port queuing problems; impact analysis; shipping demand/supply modeling; vessel routing and scheduling; purchasing function and inventory control.

Objectives

The aim of this course is to provide students with the required tools and analytical skills in Operations Research, Statistics and Econometrics, to enable them understand, design and critically evaluate business strategy, policy formulation and research/consultant reports.

Compulsory reading

Course: Research Methodology & Thesis Proposal

Background

MEL is a research-oriented MSc. It is therefore paramount to ensure that students approach the challenges offered by the maritime industry with a scientific attitude and well equipped with the latest tools and concepts available. For this reasons all MEL courses are rigorously built on the scientific expertise of MEL faculty and research methods are widely used and explained in all modules. In addition since 2005 MEL has introduced a course in Research Methodology and Thesis Proposal. Originally meant to equip the students with foundations of the scientific method to write an academically defensible thesis, the course has expanded to provide students with a wide range of concepts that are also helpful for the successful completion of the other modules and will be useful in their careers as maritime professionals.

The methods and approaches discussed in Research Methodology and Thesis Proposal constitute an important addition to the skills of our graduates. In particular the ability of identifying reliable information, elaborate this information with scientific rigour and produce quality analysis has become a requirement for professionals in all sectors. Professionals in all disciplines are faced regularly with the difficulties of finding reliable data sources or collecting meaningful data. The web has become a valuable and essential source of information, provided that this large availability of data is matched by the ability of the researcher or professional to navigate through it, assess its reliability and summarise and archive the data for later use or for the advantage of others.

As part of their Research Methodology classes, students are also required to spend considerable time in the library/internet on their Thesis Proposal project. Through the study/perusal of scientific journals and other literature/materials, students are expected to identify possible research areas for their thesis. They are thus also expected to draw up a Thesis Proposal which they finally present to students and staff. Often, their actual thesis results from such a Thesis Proposal.

Objectives

The course aims at providing the students with the essential tools of research design and thesis preparation. It illustrates the research process dwelling upon the ethical considerations involved in doing research. The course also explains the role and importance of the literature review; primary data collection and sampling; sources of data in the maritime sector and the advantages/difficulties of using secondary data; and questionnaire design. Particular attention is dedicated to practical examples of data collections in the MEL research domains.

Programme Update

Course: Shipping and Transport Finance

Background

Shipping finance has always played an essential role in the development and growth of the maritime industry. As a matter of fact, MEL has introduced ‘finance’ as a ‘fifth’ shipping market, together with chartering; secondhand transactions; ship recycling and shipbuilding. The traditional, equity-based, methods of ship-financing are nowadays a thing of the past. New, highly complex, financial products have been developed, ranging from structured finance and lease-charterback deals to IPOs and private equity finance. A thorough understanding therefore of sources and methods of ship-financing is a sine qua non for the shipowner/investor who needs to optimize his capital structure under conditions of risk and uncertainty. Diversification, sound financing and risk management are the most crucial elements for long term survival and profitability in shipping: the most central and important component of global supply chains of bulk and containerized goods.

Objectives

In cooperation with MEL partners, ABN AMRO Bank and DVB Bank, the Shipping and Transport Finance Course is aiming at providing students with the understanding of the key issues in the financing of ships, ports, transport and other infrastructure projects. At the end of the course students will be able to develop, appraise, negotiate and choose among alternative investment proposals under conditions of risk and uncertainty; they should know how to hedge against risk through such instruments as Forward Freight Agreements and other derivative products; and they should have acquired a thorough all-round understanding of the ship-finance banking business.

Programme Update

Course: Statistics and Econometrics

Background

The complexities of international transport and global maritime supply chains and the formulation of related policies often require analysis and decision making through advanced modeling and related tools. Applications of statistical methods and tools need to be emphasized in order for the managers to solve real business problems. It is also vital to be able to identify the correct statistical technique by focusing on the problem objective and data type. “Statistics and Econometrics” is one of the courses with which MEL students are trained in necessary quantitative skills to address maritime related problems.

Objectives

The objectives of this course are to enhance the students’ comprehension and practical skills by using data-driven examples, exercises and cases that cover the various functional areas of maritime business. In addition, this course aims to prepare a common platform and refresh the students’ knowledge and tools that are necessary for the Core Courses.

Programme Update

Course: International Economics

Background

The study of international trade and money has always been an especially lively and controversial area in economics. Through international trade in goods and services, as well as international flows of money, the economies of different countries and regions are more closely linked to one another now than ever before. This trend is known as globalization. At the same time, the world economy is much more turbulent than it has been in many past decades, leading to a more volatile commercial environment. The volume of international trade is also obviously linked very closely to the prosperity and profitability of the maritime industry. An understanding of trade and money flows and their composition is a fundamental prerequisite for the understanding of shipping and global maritime supply chains.

The objective is to equip the student with a profound understanding of the workings of the international economy and its linkages and interdependences with international production, transport and distribution. This includes institutional arrangements (like the European Union, North American Free Trade Agreement, the World Trade Organisation, the International Monetary Fund), and the economics of international trade, international money and finance. Traditional concepts like comparative advantage are explored, as well as the role of industry structure and multinational corporations in international commerce.

Programme Update

Compulsory Reading

Van Marrewijk, C. (2006), 'International Economics', Oxford University Press, 2006, Oxford

Thesis and Internship

The thesis is a major part of the curriculum. The objective is to enable students to apply the knowledge acquired in the course, through the methodological analysis of an applied transport problem. Although, as usual, originality or scientific rigour are not prerequisites for a successful MSc thesis, it is the latter theses that would qualify applicants to be considered for a PhD Programme.

Writing, research and presentation skills are taught in the Research Methodology course. The subject of the thesis is decided by the student in consultation with a faculty member, an internship host, or with the student's own affiliation.

The thesis is finalised in the period July- September and is normally 50 to 70 pages in length. It is defended in public prior to Graduation.

To the extent possible MEL has a policy of involving students in current research conducted by members of staff or external partners. Mutual benefits are thus derived and it is common that students identify the subject of their thesis through this engagement. If they wish, foreign students are allowed to spend part or whole of the July- September period in their home country to write their thesis. This is particularly desirable when the subject is related to a country-specific problem, if an internship has been arranged in that country or if the thesis is intended to be written on a subject pertinent to the student`s own organisation. In such cases, supervision requirements are agreed in consultation with an EUR faculty member.

Internships

The MSc in Maritime Economics & Logistics (MEL) has a strong policy of encouraging graduate students to spend part of their thesis-writing period as interns (stagiers) in the environment of an external Organization. Mutual benefits can thus be derived for both host and intern.

Organisations that have hosted MEL interns:

ABN AMRO Bank
APL Logistics (NL; D; USA)
APL, Oakland (USA)
APM Terminals (NL; Nigeria)
Athens University of Economics and Business (GR)
BIMCO (DK)
Busan Port Authority (Korea)
Cap Gemini Ernst & Young (NL)
Capespan International
Ceres Paragon Terminals (NL)
CMA CGM (FR(
Continental Juice (NL)
COSCO (NL; CN)
Cross Ocean B.V. (NL)
Dar es Salaam Maritime Institute
Deloitte
Delta Logistics Ltd
Det Norske Veritas (Norway)
DVB Bank
DVB Bank (NL)
ECORYS (NL)
Eemskip
EMO - Dry Bulk Terminals (NL)
Europe Container Terminals (ECT) (NL)
Evergreen
FinShip (NL)
Fortis Bank
Genchart B.V. (NL)
Glencore (NL)
Golden Cargo (GR)
HCI Capital (D)
Heerema Marine Contractors (NL)
Hewlett Packard (CN)
Holland Marine Equipment (NL)
Hoyer Global Transport
Hoyer- Odfjell B.V. (NL)
Hyundai Merchant Marine (Korea)
Indonesia Port Corporation
ING Bank
Instituto Superior de Economia e Gestao (ISEG) (Portugal)
International Shipbrokers Co. (GR)
Jo Tankers (NL)
Keelung Port
Koppies & Stevens (NL)
Korea Maritime Institute (KMI)
Lattakia International Container Terminal (Syria)
Maersk Line (NL)
Ministry of Transport, Public Works & Water Management (NL)
Mitsui OSK (Japan)
Napier University (UK)
Nathan Associates (USA)
National Technical University of Athens (GR)
Nedcargo B.V. (NL)
Neptune Orient Lines (Singapore)
NIBC Bank
NYK Line (NL)
Ocean Bulk (GR)
P&O Nedlloyd (NL)
Pacific International Lines (Singapore)
Panama Canal Authority
Port of Altamira
Port of Amsterdam Authority
Port of Rotterdam Authority
Royal Haskoning (NL)
Samskip
Samsung Electronics European Distribution
Sealift Coordination Center (B)
Shell International (NL)
Simpson, Spence and Young (SSY) (UK)
Smit International (NL)
Stadshavens N.V. (NL)
Stichting Noordzee (NL)
Stolt Nielsen (NL)
Swissmarine Inc.
TBA (NL)
Transammonia (Switzerland)
UNCTAD (Switzerland)
University of Piraeus (GR)
University of St Gallen (Switzerland)
University of Washington Seattle (USA)
Vopak (NL)
W. Wilhelmsen (N)
Witteveen + Bos
Wuhan University of Technology (CN)

Examinations

In the MEL programme structure, each module is assessed individually. This can be any combination of individual take-home assignments, group projects and an individual exam. Resits can be taken at the end of the teaching period. Students are allowed to fail only a limited number of courses. In this case, a resit takes place in July. Students who have fulfilled their academic requirements, including the successful submission and defence of a thesis, are awarded the MSc Degree in Maritime Economics and Logistics (MEL). A student's final assessment takes into account his/her performance in the Distinguished Lecture Series; Professional Development Courses; Company Visits and other MEL activities and events.

A Certificate of Attendance is awarded to students who finish the course without fulfilling all academic requirements.

Professional Development Courses (PDC)

PDCs are offered in partnership with external organisations and take the form of intensive seminars of two to three day duration. These courses mainly address the career development needs of active professionals and they are marketed and priced independently. For MEL students, PDCs constitute an integral part of their curriculum (thus at no extra tuition cost). Mingling active and busy professionals with full-time students has proven a worthwhile endeavour, highly evaluated by both groups. Current PDCs consist of the BIMCO DAYS, the Terminal Operations Conference (TOC), and the Hamburg/Bremen Study Tour.

For more information: Professional Development Courses 2009

Professional Development Courses 2010

Event		Date
Vopak Day		7 April 2010
BIMCO Days		29-31 March 2010
TOC Europe		8-10 June 2010
PDC Germany		14-17 June 2010

Professional Development Courses 2009

Event		Date
Vopak Day		1 April 2009
BIMCO Days		28-29 April 2009
TOC Europe		16-18 June 2009

Scholarships

The MEL Scholarship Trust Fund (STF) may award up to 6 scholarships to nationals or residents of Scandinavia, Greece, Japan, USA/Canada, The Netherlands, and the Rest of the World. The MEL STF scholarships are awarded on the basis of an essay competition.

The STF Scholarships have a maximum of 75% of the MEL tuition fee and are valid for the MEL Programme only.

Candidates who are in need of financial assistance should explore all sources of financial aid that may be available in their own countries. Information on fellowships is also available at your local diplomatic office of the Netherlands government, the Netherlands Organization for International Cooperation in Higher Education - NUFFIC, the World Bank, regional development banks and charitable foundations. Additional scholarship providers, per country or region, can be requested from the MEL Office (info@maritimeeconomics.com).

Links:
Grantfinder

STF Scholarship Competition

The MEL Scholarship Trust Fund (STF) may offer a partial tuition fee waiver scholarship to candidates with the best essay on the topic listed in the table below.

Country/Region	Topic	Condition
Greece	Ship Management	The Candidate must be a national or permanent resident of Greece.
Scandinavia	Shipping Finance	The Candidate must be a national or permanent resident of Denmark, Sweden, Norway or Finland.
Japan	Logistics in Asia	The Candidate must be a national or permanent resident of Japan.
USA and Canada	Multi-Modal Transport	The Candidate must be a national or permanent resident of the United States of America (USA) or Canada.
The Netherlands	Port Management	The Candidate must be a national or permanent resident of The Netherlands.
Rest of the World	Maritime Safety and the Protection of the Marine Environment	-

Conditions
Candidates must be eligible to be admitted to the MEL Programme so they must submit their application for the MEL programme before they submit their STF Scholarship essay. A submission to the Scholarship Competition must be original work by the candidate. The winner should join MEL in the same Academic Year of application and the Scholarship cannot be transferred to a subsequent year. All other expenses, such as housing, travel, insurance, etc., are borne by the candidate.

Eligibility
The deadline for the Essay and complete MEL Application forms is 1 June 2013. Next to the STF Scholarship Form, the essay should also carry the indication: MEL Scholarship Competition. Participation in the Essay Competition does not affect admission to MEL which is assessed independently. The scholarship is awarded by a Jury consisting of MEL Faculty and, occasionally, business executives.

Essay Requirements
The essay should be a minimum of 3000 words and a maximum of 6000 words, including tables, figures and bibliography. The latter should consist only of works cited in the text. Evidence of plagiarism will automatically disqualify the essay. Through the essay, the applicant should be able to demonstrate his/her academic potential and good writing skills. The essay must be submitted by email to: info@maritimeeconomics.com.

Decision
The winner will be notified late in June and the decision of the Jury is final.

Company Visits

Based on the Netherlands' state-of-the-art transport infrastructure and technology, the Center organises a number of company visits, where students can see how theory is applied in practice. Company Visits include port terminals, shipping companies, banks, warehouses, logistics centers and distriparks. Company visits are part of the curriculum and aim at providing a hands-on approach to concepts that have been studied in class. The Company Visits taking place during the Academic Year are adjusted to fit with the curriculum. Past visits include:

NYK Benelux
Mitsui OSK
EMO Bulk Terminals
The Port of Antwerp
Damen Shipyards
Samsung Distribution Centre
District Parks and Distribution Centres of well known retailers

Stolt- Nielsen Transportation Group Ltd
Shell Terminal
The CERES- Paragon Terminal at the Port of Amsterdam
The Port of Amsterdam Authority
Europe Container Terminals (ECT)-Delta Container Terminal, Port of Rotterdam
The Port of Rotterdam Authority
Hoyer- Odfjell B.V.
Port of Bremerhaven
Port of Hamburg
Oceanco

MEL: a Fully Accredited MSc

This means that the MEL Degree can be officially certified by the Ministry of Education of The Netherlands and it is therefore a fully recognised degree in Europe and beyond. As a result of the Bologna Convention such recognition is increasingly demanded by employers and accreditation organisations in the students’ home countries.

What Our Students Say

"The success of MEL is in that they teach you how to think. I deeply believe I am already different and able to face challenges in a changing shipping world."	"As time goes by, my heart assures me that MEL is the course I have been longing for in the previous years of my work and the one that I will be benefiting from for the rest of my career."
Zhendong Lu Managing Director W.H.M.International Trading (Shanghai) Company Ltd. P.R. China	Hongbin Zhang Ministry of Communications, PR of China P.R. China
"On selecting MEL for my MSc there was only one criterion: if you can join the top, why bother with second best."	"Seeing the big picture requires knowing where to look, MEL with its first-class Corporate Network will show you."
Martin Ilmer Marketing Manager P&O Nedlloyd The Netherlands	Sven Schroder Hamburg Süd Germany
"This condensed and refined program combines ideally theory and practice in maritime economics and logistics. Its alumni network, English-speaking environment, research and business opportunities through internships (I had mine at CMA-CGM in Marseilles, France) and interaction with people from the industry plus its location near the world’s biggest port, make MEL second to none. Its reputation can be matched only by that of Erasmus University Rotterdam. As a young Chinese shipping professional, I believe that MEL has endowed me with a strong lifelong qualification."	"Studying Maritime Economics and Logistics at Erasmus, near the world’s largest port, is an unrepeated experience combining advanced knowledge with precious business contacts through the numerous Company Visits, the Erasmus Maritime Seminars and the various internship opportunities. Working in a multicultural environment such as this of Erasmus really exemplifies the meaning of globalisation."
Zhongyi (John) Su Area Manager-Europe Asia Trade CMA CGM Head Office France	Kazuo Uezumi Economist Port and Harbor Department Pacific Consultants International Japan
"The no.1 maritime program worldwide and the first choice for a successful career in the shipping and logistics industries."	"The programme's extensive Corporate Network has enabled me to create valuable contacts with people in the industry, from the largest shipbroking companies to shipping banks."
Anastasios Karagiannis Group Financial Controller Allianz AG (Holding) Germany	Bjorn-Morten Batalden Operations Officer Royal Norwegian Navy Norway
"Participating in the MEL Programme is no doubt the best and most successful investment I have ever made. The academic excellence provided by MEL combined with it’s extensive Corporate Network, at one of the most prestigious universities in Europe, has prepared me and given me the knowledge required for a challenging position in the shipping industry. The international and dynamic environment of the city of Rotterdam - encompassing one of the largest ports in the world - is the perfect arena for anyone with the ambition to become one of tomorrow’s leaders in the industry of shipping. The great value the Programme places on extra-curricular events, such as seminars led by prominent speakers from shipping and Company Visits in the shipping cluster of Rotterdam, gave the extra edge. Additionally, it gave me the opportunity to meet interesting professionals and create great contacts. As an integral part of the programme, I did my internship at Jo Tankers, Rotterdam. Writing my thesis – Bunker Hedging Analysis- in the creative environment of this state-of-the-art company, gave me the opportunity to put the knowledge acquired from the course into practice. After this year, I take great pride in belonging to the selected group of MEL."	"I’ve learned a lot not only from well designed courses, but also from the well organized seminars given by experts from all over the world. Besides, I like the internationalization here; the global network of lecturers and colleagues will give me great help in my career, for shipping is the most international industry in the world. Actually, I’m already reaping the benefits of studying at Erasmus, since immediately after my graduation and thanks to the additional experience I obtained through an internship in the chartering department of Simpson, Spence and Young in London, I was appointed General Manager of my company’s chartering department."
Carl Daniel Tornqvist Chalmers University Sweden	Wengzhong Xiao General Manager Chartering Division Lian Yaun Iron & Steel Co. Ltd. P.R. China
"Between three offers to do my Masters Degree in Transportation and Logistics (UK, USA and The Netherlands), I decided to do the Erasmus MEL and my choice has shown a great payback. The mix of nationalities and cultures, different backgrounds and experiences among students, brought the necessary and fruitful spirit of team work. The combination of rigorous academic work with lectures from the business sector allowed the right blending of scientific and professional knowledge. What is more, I got the opportunity to test my knowledge against widely-respected and well-reputed professionals, and apply it in real life situations thanks to my internship with the Netherlands Economic Institute (NEI). Moreover, seminars and company visits were the most useful introduction to the business community of the Netherlands. The beauty and great city of Rotterdam? Hope I had more spare time to enjoy it!"	"I would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone at MEL very sincerely for everything you have done for me over the last 12 months. The tuition, overall, was 1st class and I found the interactive format of classes excellent. The warm welcome I received was very much appreciated and will remain with me. In this regard, I would like to think that we have made a contact which will last for many years to come, and from my side I would like to extend an invitation to you all to stay in touch, either in a personal or professional capacity in the future."
Adelino Mesquita Port Director CFM Mozambique	James McConachie Marketing Manager Carisbrook Shipping Ltd. UK
"Working in multicultural teams and the close interaction with Rotterdam's maritime business community are two of MEL's strongest points."	"The reputation of Erasmus made my decision easy. And I was proven right in every respect. Top programme really!"
Juana Lourido Regional Commercial Director Port of Buenaventura Colombia	Mari Kallinen Harbour Master and Port Security Officer Port of Rauma Finland
"Returning from the industry to the classroom, we have been supplied with very relevant theoretical and practical knowledge. The MEL course is an intensive program, covering a wide spectrum of subjects in shipping, transport, and logistics. These subjects are looked at with an economic approach, and are complemented by expertise lectured by managers working at key positions within the industry. We also took advantage of the location and had the opportunity to see professional shipping in practice with our own eyes, at ports and offices. Myself in particular had the unique opportunity and pleasure of being introduced to the fascinating and highly sophisticated world of freight derivatives. Through its extensive company network, MEL gave me the opportunity to further extent my knowledge on this fascinating topic through an internship in the freight futures department of one of the world’s leading shipbrokers, Simpson, Spence and Young (SSY) in London."	MEL is not only a fundamental tool but, more important, a way of thinking.
Alon Margoshes Futures and Operations Oil Refineries Ltd. (ORL) Israel	Marco Schiavone Export Management Consultant Aermar Italy
"The harmonious diversity of cultures and backgrounds, strengthened by an outstanding level of lecturers and a deep immersion in the shipping industry makes me confident that the decision for MEL was the best to face the challenges ahead."	"The right master, at the right place, for the right price!"
Eduardo Greco de Morais Information Services Consultant Public Sector Unisys Corporation Brazil	Rafael Lemaitre Universidad de lass Americas Mexico
"The most comprehensive and advanced MSc programme by one of the world’s best Universities. I couldn’t believe we would be choosing among top international jobs even before finishing the course, or taking internships at prestigious companies all over the world (in my case Nathan Associates, USA), while writing our thesis."	"Studying MEL in Rotterdam, feels like studying music in Vienna, here we can find wings to fly for our dreams."
Jacobo Garcia Elizondo Operations Manager Transportes Ainhoa Mexico	Xin Zhao Hong Kong International P.R. China
(M)inister to students' need for knowledge and innovation. (E)xcellent corporate network that permits constant interaction. (L)earning through internship and research. MEL!	"To MEL or not to MEL ! A clear choice for every Maritime professional."
Capt. Lim Woon Teck Lecturer Singapore Maritime Academy Singapore	Justus Schoemaker Manager Port Repair & On Voyage Services Curacao Drydock Company Netherlands Antilles
"Welcome to the Maritime Metropolis of Rotterdam."	"If I can fly highly in my career, I should definitely owe this to MEL: The "West Point" of maritime education."
Apatsanee Seemakucp Sales coordination in European and Mediterranean Trade, K-Line (Thailand) Limited Thailand	Lei (Robin) Gao Senior Sales Manager Chiao Feng Shipping Ltd. China
"The courses MEL offers complement nicely my previous studies in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering. In this way I can better fulfill my professional expectations."	"MEL a course second to none, encompassing the best of all worlds - theory, business and diversity; in essence a master's that creates opportunities."
Konstantinos Mavroeidis National Technical University of Athens Greece	Panagiota Pondikoglou Rand Afrikaans University South Africa

Admissions Procedure

We welcome applications from highly motivated and ambitious persons, with a good academic background, who are prepared to undergo the rigorous demands of MEL. We invite candidates keen to pursue a career in maritime transport and logistics and wish to dedicate a period of their lives to our course, aiming at employment in a shipping, port, transport, finance or logistics company. These positions are available in public as well as private organizations, such as banks, accounting firms with a shipping subsidiary, other financial institutions, port management organizations, shipping companies, governmental institutions, transport companies with an international orientation or multinational corporations with a transport department. Graduates may also opt for a career as shipping market analysts, senior account managers with insurance and financial institutions, transport consultants, etc.

Applications are assessed on a continuous basis as they are received. Strong interpersonal and communication skills, qualities of leadership and professional maturity are valued in our selection. The Admissions Committee reserves the right to interview applicants prior to making the final decision. We would also like to make use of the interview to seek additional understanding of your professional and personal aptitudes. Some of the interviews may take place by phone or through MEL alumni in your country. We will also schedule interview appointments at the request of the applicants.

Admissions Requirements

The Programme is open to candidates from a wide variety of professional, educational and cultural backgrounds. To be considered for admission to the Programme, candidates need to have earned a bachelor's degree or (exceptionally) equivalent professional experience. Previous academic records are closely examined. Work experience is a distinctive advantage in the selection process, while the combination of the two is ideal.

Demonstrated proficiency in the English language is required, often verified through a personal interview. All students must be able to read with ease, follow lectures and express their thoughts in fluent written and spoken English. Although not a strict admissions requirement, non-native English speaking applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their Test Of English as a Foreign Language [TOEFL] score and/or their International English Language Testing System [IELTS] score in support of their application. For IELTS we require a minimum overall band score of 6.5. Other proficiency tests (e.g. Cambridge Proficiency) may also be taken into account by the Admissions Committee.

Finally, special attention is given to the required two letters of recommendation, which give indication of your aptitudes and capabilities for graduate study. The Admissions Committee prefers that at least one of the reference letters is work-related. The second letter of reference may come from someone who knows you in an academic setting.

Living and Other Expenses

Tuition Fees

The fee includes some course materials but adequate provision should be made for the purchase of additional books. Also, the purchase of a portable personal computer (laptop) is an advisable expenditure. Housing and living expenses can vary considerably depending on personal lifestyles, but a typical cost for a single student (including housing, insurance and health care) is estimated to be around Euro 1,000 per month.

Application Form

You can find an online application form on our website or you can contact the MEL Office to order a hardcopy.

NB: You must submit authenticated transcripts from each higher educational institution you have attended (or you are attending). Applications can not be processed in the absence of such authenticated transcripts.

Applications should be made as soon as possible in the year of the proposed entry if not earlier; if you are planning to apply for the Essay Competition Scholarship, you need to be aware of the closing dates, see the Scholarships section.

DEADLINE
Due to an overwhelming number of applications and the need to inform applicants on their application status as soon as possible, the MEL Academic Council has decided to set the 15th of June as the deadline for receipt of complete applications. Only under exceptional circumstances, or applicants, will applications be considered beyond this deadline.

Application Form

Download our application form (and reference form).

The application form can be viewed with Adobe Acrobat Reader, which can be downloaded free of charge by clicking here

You can also download the application form as an MS-WORD document

Facilities and Services

Students of the Maritime Economics & Logistics programme have full access to the excellent services and facilities of Erasmus University Rotterdam. Check out the videos about Erasmus University Rotterdam to get a feel for the university and the city of Rotterdam.

Most MEL events are planned in the Q-building. This building is dedicated to executive Master programmes.

University Library

The University Library comprises more than one million titles and subscribes to 5,400 journals and periodicals. It is accessible through an on-line catalogue, also allowing remote access by internet. The system allows unlimited possibilities for further searches, for example in on-line contents, an index of journal articles that includes 14,000 periodicals, and the Dutch Central Catalogue, a database with the holdings of hundreds of Dutch libraries. In addition, inter-library loans can be requested through the University Library, directly through the PC (with a special code and account number) or by fax or email.

The Library is an Official Depository of publications from the Dutch Statistical Office (CBS) and is recognised by the European Union as a European Documentation Centre.

Statistical information is compiled and maintained in different forms (publications, on-line, CD-ROM). Data sources include Data-stream, Central Banks, National Statistical information sources and international organisations such as the United Nations, International Monetary Fund (IMF), Eurostat, OECD and ILO.

The Library has numerous reading rooms, as well as rooms where recent and back issues of international and Dutch periodicals are kept. These rooms are accessible to students who want to study for exams or prepare for lectures.

MEL subcribes to a number of specialized periodicals and databases such as Lloyds List, Fairplay, Journal of Commerce, Containerization International etc., while a section of the main university library is dedicated to MEL-specific titles.

Transport-related Information Centres

A number of important maritime-related research institutes and library facilities are in the vicinity of EUR. They include the Technical University Delft (only 15 minutes from Rotterdam), maintaining the most extensive maritime library in the Netherlands and one of the most extensive and user-friendly in the world. The library of the Port of Rotterdam keeps a very broad collection of maritime literature, with a special focus on ports. Furthermore, the EUR University Library provides access to the catalogue of the Dutch Ministry of Transport and Public Waterworks, containing references to all available material on transport, infrastructure and logistics.

Housing Department (ICIR)

The Housing Department of the Information Centre for International Relations arranges accommodation for all foreign guests of Erasmus University Rotterdam. The Information Centre for International Relations (ICIR) is the central checkpoint and information service for all foreign guests who temporarily study or work at Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam (EUR). ICIR provides foreign guests with information on the University and on the city of Rotterdam, Dutch culture, health care in the Netherlands, et cetera. ICIR's Housing Department arranges suitable accommodation for foreign guests visiting or studying at Erasmus University. ICIR has rooms and apartments at its disposal, especially for foreign guests, but foreign guests are also housed in rooms or apartments belonging to students or staff of Erasmus University who are themselves temporarily abroad. Please refer to the ICIR Website for the procedures how you can apply for accommodation and how things are taken care of after your accommodation request has been processed.

Computer Facilities

The School of Economics has several computer labs equipped with more than 250 up-to-date personal computers, (colour) laser printers, and a full range of professional and academic software. This includes the uniquitous Microsoft Office but also more specialised packages such as Minitab (statistics), TeX (typesetting beautiful documents), Arena (discrete event simulation), and Matlab (mathematical as statistical processing). The computer labs are kept in immaculate condition and feature regular, fully automated updates of the software.

The University is a multi-license client for most popular and specialised Windows software. Students can purchase steeply discounted licenses of a wide range of software packages for use on their own computers. (As an example, a copy of the current version of Microsoft Office is available for around 10 euro.) Purchases can be made on campus at the Erasmus Shop and online at the Surfspot shop.

The labs provide full access to library, internet and email services, and are accessible during University opening hours. Virtual Private Network facilities allow students to access information services that require campus-licenses (such as the online databases of major publishers of academic literature) from any location on the Internet.

University Restaurants & Sport Complex

University Restaurants
The Woudestein campus hosts two canteens, two à la carte restaurants, coffee bars, and two pubs. The Carrousel and the Grand Sienna are self-service restaurants offering snacks, lunches and hot meals at fairly low prices. The à la carte restaurants are called L'etage and The Faculty Club, and lunch and dinner here are possible after reservation. There are several coffee bars, including a Starbucks branch. The Sports Complex and the Faculty of Business Administration (T-Building) house two pubs.

Sport Complex
The University has a modern on-campus Sports Complex offering facilities and instructions for every sport activity including baseball, golf, boxing & martial arts, rugby, fencing, hockey, ice-skating and horseback-riding. In addition, there are six on-campus tennis courts, while in the immediate vicinity of the University there are football fields, swimming pools, a golf course and other sports and training facilities provided by the City of Rotterdam.

A number of Erasmus students attain international acclaim in sports (including two gold medals in rowing and hockey at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games) due to the special support they receive from the University and the Dutch government. Read more...

Expo and Conference Centre

The University has a state-of-the-art Expo and Conference Centre on the Woudestein campus, one of the largest and most modern in the Netherlands. The Center has its own on-campus premises comprising of conference rooms, auditoriums, amphitheatres, meeting areas and 2,000 sq.m. of exhibition space.

Rotterdam and The Netherlands

The Netherlands is one of the world's smallest and most densely populated countries. Situated in the Rhine estuary, the Dutch have taken full advantage of their favourable geographical location. With main-ports, hubs and hinterland connections, the Netherlands is famous for its transport, infrastructure and logistics systems. Dutch multinationals such as Shell, Philips and Unilever contribute to the country's industrial standing. With cities such as Amsterdam, the Hague and Rotterdam linked into one unique metropolitan structure, the Netherlands has created a heterogeneous urban environment with a lively multi-cultural climate, while reflecting the traditional values of tolerance, respect and entrepreneurship. The moderate climate, sandy beaches, inland forests, open country and lakes also contribute to an attractive living environment. The innovative and pro-liberal spirit of the Dutch people has made Holland one of the most prosperous places on earth and a must for every individual, especially of young age, to visit study, work or even live in.

Rotterdam

Rotterdam is the largest commercial port in the world, the economic, social and cultural center of the Rijnmond region (the estuary of river Rhine), and the industrial heart of the Netherlands.

Over a million people live in the region, almost 600,000 of which within the city boundaries. On 14 May 1940, German bombing shattered the city centre, challenging the people of Rotterdam with the huge task of rebuilding their city from scratch. And what a fine job they did!

Rotterdam combines a taste for grandeur with the typical modesty of the Dutch. This is reflected in the city's architecture offering the visitor a harmonious blend of the grandiose municipal City Hall with the famous avant-garde landmark of Rotterdam's yellow cube houses.

Business

As the saying goes, "shirts are sold in Rotterdam with the sleeves rolled up". Rotterdam and its people are loved and feared for their matter-of-factness, straight-forwardness and pride in their work. It is this Rotterdam working spirit that makes its business community and its port a pillar of the Dutch economy. An attractive business environment, and a flexible, well-educated, multilingual workforce have made Rotterdam one of the most appealing business centers in Europe. Almost all major multinationals, including Shell, Unilever, Exxon, BP, General Motors, Mitsubishi and Hyundai, have established a commercial presence in the region. They are facilitated by Rotterdam's own regional airport, high speed rail connections to London, Brussels and Paris and, in general, the region's superior infrastructure, including state-of-the-art telecommunications and a research community in Erasmus attuned to the needs of the industry. Moreover, Rotterdam takes pride in hosting probably the most extensive maritime cluster and thriving shipping community in the world, thus making it the world's premier one-stop shop for maritime services.

Port of Rotterdam

The Port of Rotterdam holds an important position in the Dutch Economy. Inland navigation along the river Rhine; superior land infrastructure; sophisticated short-sea-shipping networks; and state-of-the-art logistics and EDI advancements consolidate the position of Rotterdam as the gateway to Europe. This is strengthened by the increasing number of East Asian countries opening trade centers in Rotterdam. An additional factor contributing to Rotterdam's attractiveness is that the combined purchasing power of more than 200 million consumers lies within 500 kilometers off the city.

The port is a pacesetter at the heart of the highly industrialised Rijnmond area that contributes with more than 7% to Dutch GDP. Over 300 million tons of cargo are handled each year by the port, making it the world's largest. In terms of containers too, the port is a market leader in Europe: in 2003, 7,106,778 containers were handled, compared to 6,138,000 in Hamburg and 5,445,437 in Antwerp. The port is by far the largest container hub port in Europe and the seventh largest in the world. The port of Rotterdam prides itself on the innovative spirit and high level of professionalism of its workforce. This has resulted in the development of state of the art container handling operations, such as the fully automated Delta Container Terminal with its Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs), which are unique to the world guaranteeing ever increasing productivity and setting the pace for other container ports to follow!

The Dutch Maritime Environment

The Netherlands is a nation with a very long maritime tradition. Due to its central position and the keen trading attitude of its people, the country has become an important centre for international trade. More than 10% of Europe's external trade passes through the port of Rotterdam; an impressive figure that explains the importance the port ascribes to the development of state-of-the-art logistics, distribution and EDI systems.

The Dutch government has introduced a new shipping policy aimed at establishing the Netherlands as one of the world's main maritime centres. The policy offers an attractive business environment and culture to entice shipping companies to flag their vessels in and conduct their operations from the Netherlands. Read more...

A particular area of spectacular success is ship finance, where, in the past few years, the Netherlands has developed into one of the world's major ship-finance centres. Read more...

The Rotterdam Mainport Development Corporation was recently set up to create space to further the growth of the port and industry in the main port of Rotterdam and to improve the quality of the living environment in and around the port. Read more...

Culture and Nightlife

Luckily, Rotterdam is not all about doing business. A thriving city such as this could not but excel in the things that make up the much-envied European lifestyle: culture, arts, entertainment and sports.

The city hosts the De Doelen concert hall, home of the famous Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, the Boijmans van Beuningen Museum, the Kunsthal (Art Gallery), the Prince Hendrik Maritime Museum, World Museum Rotterdam (former the Museum of Ethnology), the Dutch Institute for Architecture and the Dutch Photographic Institute.

Numerous cinemas, restaurants, cafes and pubs - many of them staging live jazz, rock and popular music - make up Rotterdam's nightlife. What is more, Ahoy Rotterdam is the venue where concerts by the biggest names in the world music scene today are given. In 1997 Ahoy Rotterdam paid host to the 1997 MTV European Music Awards. Each summer the North Sea Jazz Festival attacts music lovers from all around.

At the end of January each year, Rotterdam hosts the International Film Festival attracting film producers and spectators from all over the world. Other festivals include the Antillian Carnival in July/August, the Dunya Festival in June (poetry, ethnic music and culinary delights), and the Metropolis Festival of new trends in Rock and Dance music in July. Read More...

The Latins used to say Anima Sana in Corpore Sano (a healthy spirit resides in a healthy body). Rotterdamers strive for this through hockey, tennis, swimming, judo, kickboxing and many more, and of course, football! Three professional teams, Feyenoord, Sparta and Excelsior, are based in Rotterdam, each with its own stadium.

And if all this is not enough, Rotterdam still has the solution: it is only one hour away from the nation's capital, Amsterdam, twenty minutes from the administrative capital, The Hague, and for those that really want to go international, Antwerp's (Belgium) seafood restaurants are just an hour away too. (Amsterdam, Antwerp, Brussels and Paris can easily be reached via high-speed rail connections Fyra and Thalys.)

Tourist office

MSc in Maritime Economics and Logistics

Introduction

Welcome by the Rector

Top 10 Reasons to study MEL

Programme

Programme Structure

Course Setup

Electives

Assessment

Events

Schedule

Courses

Course: Shipping Economics and Policy

Background

Objectives

Programme Update

Recommended reading

Course: Port Economics and Policy

Background

Objectives

Programme Update

Recommended reading:

Course: Maritime Logistics

Background

Objectives

Programme Update

Recommended Reading

Course: Logistics and Supply Chain Management

Background

Objectives

Programme Update

Recommended Reading

Course: Maritime Law

Objectives

Programme Update

Recommended Reading

Course: Marine Technology and Innovation

Background

Objectives

Programme Update

Recommended reading

Course: Transport and Regional Economics

Background

Objectives

Programme Update

Recommended Reading

Course: Management Science

Background

Objectives

Compulsory reading

Course: Research Methodology & Thesis Proposal

Background

Objectives

Programme Update

Recommended reading

Course: Shipping and Transport Finance

Background

Objectives

Programme Update

Recommended Reading

Course: Statistics and Econometrics

Background

Objectives

Programme Update

Recommended reading

Course: International Economics

Background

Programme Update

Compulsory Reading

Recommended Reading

Thesis and Internship

Internships

Organisations that have hosted MEL interns:

Examinations

Professional Development Courses (PDC)

Professional Development Courses 2010

Professional Development Courses 2009

Scholarships

STF Scholarship Competition

Company Visits