Assessment Brief – Maritime Operations and Regional Trade Risk

Institution and Module Details

University: University of Strathclyde, Glasgow (UK)

School: Strathclyde Business School

Programme: MSc International Shipping and Logistics

Module Title: Global Maritime Operations and Risk

Module Code: ML937

Academic Level: SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate)

Assessment Type: Individual Coursework Report (Assessment 2)

Weighting: 60% of module grade

Word Count: 2,500 words ±10% (excluding references and appendices)

Assessment Title

Port Performance, Trade Risk and Operational Resilience in Emerging Maritime Corridors: A Comparative Analysis of Nigeria, Southeast Asia and the South China Sea

Assessment Context

Global shipping increasingly depends on complex regional corridors where operational reliability, governance quality and geopolitical stability directly affect performance outcomes. West African ports, particularly in Nigeria, continue to experience congestion, security pressures and infrastructural constraints. Southeast Asian hubs face different pressures related to capacity growth, digitalisation and regulatory fragmentation. The South China Sea introduces additional complexity through geopolitical tension, freedom of navigation issues and strategic competition.

This coursework requires critical analysis of how regional characteristics shape maritime operations and how firms and authorities can strengthen resilience in contested or fragile operating environments.

Task Description

Produce an analytical report that evaluates how regional risk factors influence port efficiency and maritime operational performance across three regions: Nigeria, Southeast Asia and the South China Sea.

Your report must address all of the following:

• Critically assess structural challenges affecting port operations in Nigeria, including governance, infrastructure and security.
• Analyse operational performance trends in at least two Southeast Asian ports (for example Singapore, Tanjung Pelepas, Jakarta, Manila, Ho Chi Minh City).
• Evaluate the impact of geopolitical tension in the South China Sea on shipping routes, insurance, scheduling reliability and commercial decision-making.
• Apply relevant theory from maritime logistics, risk management or supply chain resilience.
• Provide evidence-based recommendations for shipping companies, port authorities or regulators.

Learning Outcomes Assessed

• Critically evaluate regional maritime operational environments.
• Apply logistics and risk theory to real-world maritime contexts.
• Demonstrate advanced analytical reasoning using credible academic and industry sources.
• Communicate complex analysis in structured postgraduate academic writing.

Submission Requirements

• 2,500 words ±10%
• Formal report structure with headings and subheadings
• Harvard referencing (Strathclyde Business School standard)
• Minimum of 12 academic or professional sources
• Submission via MyPlace (Turnitin enabled)

Recommended Report Structure

1. Introduction and scope
2. Regional analysis: Nigeria
3. Regional analysis: Southeast Asia
4. Regional analysis: South China Sea operational risk
5. Comparative discussion
6. Recommendations
7. Conclusion

Indicative Marking Criteria

Persistent congestion at Nigerian ports reflects governance weaknesses rather than physical capacity alone. Evidence from recent studies shows that port efficiency improves where regulatory predictability and digital clearance systems are prioritised (Notteboom, Pallis and Rodrigue, 2021, https://doi.org/10.1080/03088839.2021.1900811). Commercial routing decisions in Southeast Asia increasingly favour hubs that demonstrate reliability under disruption. Strategic uncertainty in the South China Sea continues to influence insurance premiums, voyage planning and long-term investment decisions across liner shipping networks.

 Peer-Reviewed and Authoritative References

Notteboom, T., Pallis, A. and Rodrigue, J.-P. (2021) ‘Port economics, management and policy: Contemporary themes and debates’, Maritime Policy & Management, 48(3), pp. 369–386. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/03088839.2021.1900811

UNCTAD (2023) Review of Maritime Transport 2023. Geneva: United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. Available at: https://unctad.org/publication/review-maritime-transport-2023

Onyemechi, C. and Anyanwu, O. (2020) ‘Port efficiency and trade facilitation in Nigerian seaports’, Journal of Transport Geography, 87, 102810. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2020.102810

Yap, W.Y. and Lam, J.S.L. (2019) ‘Competition dynamics between container ports in Southeast Asia’, Transportation Research Part A, 129, pp. 119–134. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tra.2019.08.012

Zhang, J. and Lam, J.S.L. (2020) ‘Maritime risk and geopolitics in the South China Sea’, Ocean & Coastal Management, 190, 105159. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2020.105159