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MacDonnell Group - Port Operations Certification & Marine Security Training

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Certified Port Executive Program, Port Security, Ship & Vessel Security, and Ferry Security Training in Canada, North America & Worldwide

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Located in Halifax NS, MacDonnell Group is a firm of professionals specializing in innovative engineering, management consulting, Security training and cultural productions. Ports, buildings, bridges, land developments, major events and conferences are the business of the company. Halifax is the base and services are delivered globally.

MacDonnell offers learning programs that strengthen the industry training and talent development. The CPE Certified Port Executive Program™ has developed an extensive alumnus of over 500 senior managers from the seaport and terminal operations industry. MacDonnell offers MARAD and Transport Canada approved instructor-led and online training solutions for the more than 4 million port workers in North America.

The only program of its kind in North America is a making a difference in the management and competitiveness of North American ports. The CPE Certified Port Executive Program gives participants the tools and knowledge to make their organization more competitive.

MacDonnell also offers cost-effective and timely training programs which help you meet the objective of remaining abreast of regulatory changes initiated by Transport Canada, best practices in the industry, and changing technology and Security requirements. Understanding these training needs, emerging technologies, and national and international security initiatives are at the core of the success of our training program.

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Certification & Training

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Certification Program

  • CPE Certified Port Executive Program: This five-day course will give participants tools and knowledge to make their organization more competitive. The program provides participants with a professional education related to the transport system and the operations of ports, vessels and marine terminals. The course covers rapidly changing regulations and requirements that affect ports, marine facilities, inter-modal transportation providers, vessels, and many diverse service providers. Over six hundred participants have participated in the program to date.
  • The CPE Course will cover Knowledge of the marine transportation system and operations; Port governance, port authorities and organizations; Recognizing types of vessels and their uses; Port and terminal management; Roles of port professionals; Managing communications, media, port and terminal administration; Emerging requirements and regulations that affect ports, marine facilities and vessels; Managing risks and threats in the port environment; The scope of port security and safety plans; Comparing various methods of Cargo storage and handling; Examining harbor geography and aids to navigation; and Preparing a strategic plan, master plan and business plan.
  • The CPE program is useful for Port Authorities, Marine Terminal Operators, 3PLs, Rail Companies, Vessel Operators, Importers and Exporters, Intermodal Transport Companies, Dockyard, Nay and Military Personnel, Coastguard Officials, Local State/Provincial and Government Officials, Maritime Lawyers, and Consulting Engineers.

Port Training Programs

  • PORTSTAR Seaport Security Training Program: PORTSTAR is a comprehensive online seaport security training system that was developed as an affordable training for all workers who come on secure areas of US seaports and terminals. More than twenty thousand workers have become users on the program. The program covers nine individual courses covering all regulated training requirements for employees and first responders in secure areas of seaports.

Port Facilities Security Training  

  • MFSO Marine Facility Security Officer: This course framework has been developed to meet the requirements of the ISPS Code for global standards of Port Facility Security Officer roles and responsibilities as set out in the guidelines of IMO Model Course 3.19.
  • Maritime Security Audit Training: It is designed to meet the needs of those individuals requiring the skills to perform internal audits of security activities performed under a marine facility security plan and to satisfy auditing requirement set out in the Marine Transportation Security Regulations. The focus of the course is on group workshops and hands-on practical auditing experience.
  • PWSR - Persons With Security Responsibility: This program provides the required training for persons with security responsibilities under the MTSR. Persons With Security Responsibilities working in compliant marine facilities or vessels are required to obtain relevant training
  • PWSA - Persons With Security Awareness: Employers of port personnel and vessel crews are required by the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code) to have some basic Maritime Security awareness training.  In Canada, the training topics are defined in Section 214 and Section 308 of the Marine Transportation Security Regulations.

Ship and Vessel Security Training              

Ferry Security Training

  • FFSO - Ferry Facility Security Officer: 3-day This program provides the training for persons responsible for implementing security at Ferry Terminals under the Marine Transportation Security Regulations (MTSR).
  • FSO - Ferry Security Officer: This 3-day course will provide a comprehensive overview of the security requirements of the Domestic Ferries Security Regulations as they relate to the day-today operations of a vessel.

Other Training Programs

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Transport Canada Approved Online Training Programs: 

LAST UPDATED ON Apr 19, 2023