MacDonnell Group has developed the CPE Certified Port Executive course, being offered this week in Halifax, Nova Scotia, for the first time in Canada, and is also available in the US and other countries.

The advanced training course aims to enable port authorities to train new management personnel from both marine and non-marine industries to the same level of expertise.

The scheme was piloted as a program designed for the Canadian National Defense Force and is based on a training program that was first offered in the United States to port and logistics professionals.

 It syllabus will cover a variety of issues, such as:

- The worldwide intermodal transportation system
- Port and terminal operations
- Cargo management
- Safety and security
- Emergency planning and response
- Public and media relations
- Environmental management
- Strategic, master, and business planning. 

The course is led by Capt. Jeff Monroe, MM, Vice President of Transportation Services North America for MacDonnell, a former President of the North Atlantic Ports Association and Director of Ports and Transportation in Portland, Maine and Deputy Port Director for the Port of Boston. 

Capt. Monroe is a former university professor at the State University of New York Maritime College and Director of Professional Training at Massachusetts Maritime Academy. 

Participants in the debut course include executives from the Souris Harbour Authority, PEI, Port of Yarmouth, NS, Belledune Port Authority, NB, and St. Anthony Port Authority, NFLD.