PIANC UK, the British section of PIANC

PIANC UK

Navigation, Ports and Waterways

News

PIANC AGA Hull May 2026

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The UK will be hosting the PIANC AGA in Hull, “Navigation to Net Zero”, on 13th to 15th May 2026.

This pivotal event will bring together policymakers, industry leaders, academics, and innovators from around the world to explore collaborative strategies, share cutting-edge solutions, and forge a collective path toward a net zero future. We look forward to welcoming you in Hull as we work together to navigate the challenges and opportunities of decarbonisation on a global scale.

Registration opens in January 2026.

For further details see the official website for the event www.pianchull2026.org.

Annual BS6349 workshop – 6th October 2025

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The annual BS6349 “Continuous Improvement by Design” workshop is taking place on the 6th October at the ICE London – One Great George Street.

Location: ICE London – One Great George Street
Date / Time: 6th October 2025 – 10:00 to 16:15
Cost: £120+VAT

For further information and to register attendance please visit the ICE website: https://www.ice.org.uk/events/upcoming-events/pianc-bs-6349-maritime-works-oct-2025

Professionals from the maritime industry will be gathering to discuss the status of BS6349, there will be refreshments and networking during the event and it is a great CPD opportunity for attendees.

Call for members of Capacity Augmentation and Structural Expansion of Existing IW Facilities (WG 266) – deadline 31st August

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New MarCom Working Group 266 on Capacity Augmentation and Structural Expansion of Existing IW Facilities

This group aims to provide guidelines and provide a framework to help increase the capacity of existing IW facilities.

The main goal of WG is to systematically compile and critically evaluate a diverse range of international case studies and technological advancements in navigation infrastructure enhancement, which may help to increase Capacity of Existing IW Facilities. This initiative seeks to:

  • Establish a robust framework for assessing and enhancing the throughput capabilities of critical inland navigation hubs.
  • Identify and integrate best practices and innovative technologies to elevate the operational efficiency and capacity of existing navigation structures.
  • Develop comprehensive guidelines for the expansion and modernization of navigation facilities, underpinned by proven engineering solutions and adaptive project management strategies.

Please see the Terms of Reference on the PIANC website (https://www.pianc.org/ongoing-working-groups) for further details.  

If you would like to join the group please send a short CV to pianc@ice.org.uk before 2 June 2025.  YP members are also very welcome

PIANC UK YP Seminar – 8th September 2025

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Join us for the annual PIANC UK YP seminar event where YPs will be presenting their involvement in recent projects.

Location: ICE London – One Great George Street
Date / Time: 8th September 2025 – 18:00
Cost: Free
Register attendance: https://www.ice.org.uk/events/upcoming-events/pianc-uk-young-professional-seminar

This year’s PIANC UK YP seminar event will be taking place in the usual location at the ICE London and features a great line-up of speakers:

Jeremy Littlejohn – Hengistbury Head Long Groyne Replacement
Matt House – Cockett Wick Sea Wall: A Collaborative Approach to Sustainable Coastal Defence
Sam Robinson – Physical modelling and navigation simulation of the towage of a floating offshore wind (FLOW) turbine in shallow water
Alexander Marr – Future Port Talbot – driving the decarbonisation revolution
Rafael Tavares – PIANC institution

Following the presentations, there will be an opportunity for refreshments and networking with fellow professionals and industry peers.

Call for members of Off-Shore wind ports working group (deadline 2nd June)

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New MarCom Working Group 269 on Design Guidelines for Off-Shore Wind Ports

This group aims to provide guidelines to determine the specific demands that wind energy projects place on ports, with a focus on the progression from onshore to offshore wind.

The groups’ goal is to offer practical insights and recommendations to guide future port developments, considering the entire lifecycle of offshore wind projects and the types of terminals needed, such as marshalling ports, assembly/manufacturing ports, WTG integration ports, O&M bases, and logistics hubs. Provide guidance for port layout and navigation related to the above facilities, including addressing functional flow to ensure high rates of production and utilization.

Please see the Terms of Reference on the PIANC website (https://www.pianc.org/tor-marcom-wg-269) for further details.  

If you would like to join the group please send a short CV to pianc@ice.org.uk before 2 June 2025.  YP members are also very welcome

PIANC UK Site Event – Poole Harbour (12th June)

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Join us for the annual PIANC UK site event, where members will be sharing their knowledge and experience from recent local projects around Poole.

Location: Port of Poole, PAX Terminal, North Lounge, New Harbour Road South, Poole, BH15 4AF
Date / Time: Thursday 12th June 14:00 – 16:30
Cost: Free
Register attendance: Registration through ICE – https://www.ice.org.uk/events/upcoming-events/pianc-uk-site-event-poole-harbour

This year’s PIANC UK event will be taking place at Poole Harbour. Presenters from a range of maritime firms will be presenting on recent local projects in the Poole and Dorset area, including the construction of new berthing facilities to the management and operation of Poole Harbour. Refreshments and networking to follow after the presentations.

Schedule:
14:00 – Phil Armstrong from Poole Harbour Commissioners – Port activities, masterplan and navigation.
14:20 – Nick Gibb from Knights Brown – Portland Port Development
14:40 – Paul Datson from Boskalis – Hengitsbury Head Long Groyne
15:00 – Joe Parsons from RHDHV – Poole South Quay development
15:20 – Q & A
15:40 Refreshments and networking

Committee Meeting + Sir William Harris Lecture

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26th February 2024 18:00 – 20:00 (SWH lecture)

On the 07 March 1665 tragedy struck in the Thames estuary, when the warship London exploded with the loss of over 300 souls. Today, more than 350 years later, the tragedy continues as the wreck site washes away with every passing ship and tide. Located not far from Southend pier, a small team of experienced local divers brave the dark and treacherous waters to recover artefacts for public display in Southend Museum.

Hear about the tragedy, the discovery of the wreck as well as the ambitious and exciting plans to try to save the assemblage for future generations to enjoy.

Recent PIANC publication – Smart Shipping on Inland Waterways’

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PIANC WG 210 (InCom) – ‘Smart Shipping on Inland Waterways’
has been released! 

Dear all,
 
We are pleased to announce that PIANC InCom Working Group (WG) 210 – ‘Smart Shipping on Inland Waterways’ has been released today. Please click here to download the press release.

PIANC members can download their free copy in the PIANC Members Only Section, non-members can purchase their copy at https://www.pianc.org/publications/inland-navigation-commission/wg210.  

Enjoy reading our latest publication! 

Call for UK representatives

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InCom WG 242 – Permanent Floating Houses along the Inland Waterway Banks and Infrastructure

MarCom WG 243 – Design, Maintenance and Sustainability of Container Terminal Pavements – update WG 165

For each WG we are looking for:

  • A full member and
  • A young professional member (under 40)

For InCom WG 242 *Besides applying for membership of this Working Group (InCom WG 242), interested candidates can also put forward their candidacy to chair the WG.

The attached Chair’s letter and documents from PIANC International provide more information on these positions.  Applicants should be an Individual or an employee of a Corporate PIANC member or otherwise be willing to join as a member. 

If you or one of your colleagues would like to be considered for one (or both) of these positions, please provide a CV that clearly highlights relevant experience, to the PIANC UK Secretariat pianc@ice.org.uk, no later than 9am on Wednesday 23rd March 2022.

PIANC MarCom 2022 Webinar on ‘Recent WG-Reports and the Ever Given’

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‘Sign up for the free MarCom webinar on 8 February 2022 on MarCom’s recent publications and a presentation on the ‘Ever Given’, which will be held from 05:00pm until 07:00pm (UTC+1). 
On the programme, you will find the following presentations: 
 An Introduction on PIANC MarCom by Chairman of MarCom Egbert van der WalA presentation on PIANC WG 208 on ‘Automation of Container Terminals’ by Mr Ashebir JacobA presentation on PIANC WG’s 145 and 211 on ‘Fender Design’ by Mr Alfred RoubosA presentation on ‘The Ever Given Suez Canal Incident’ by Mr Evert Lataire 
There will be a Q&A-session after each presentation and after all the presentations, a panel discussion and some break-out sessions will be organised. Please click here to find the flyer containing all information and the registration link to sign up. 

We hope to welcome many of you at the webinar! 
 

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