Ports are infrastructure intended for the purporse of vessels docking to load and unload goods or people. Harbours are bodies of water where ships, boats and barges can be docked. Ports and harbours may be situated along coastal or in-land waterways.
The planning of ports is an inherently multidisciplinary activity which requires expertise in the field of transport economics, shipping, nautical matters, safety and logistics. Factors which are important include waves and currents, sediment transport and coastal morphology, dredging and land reclamation, and design of breakwaters and quays.
Safe navigation
Safe navigation in ports and waterways should be insured by the port authorities and a good safety record is of utmost importance for the competitive position of the harbours. An important factor for safe navigation is the space that is available under a ship’s keel, known as the under keel clearance (UKC).
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Articles
Mediation 101 for the Dredging Industry
The international dredging and maritime construction industry remains quite devoid of the use of mediation as a tool for Alternative Dispute Resolution. Mediation is outlined to broaden familiarity with mediation, increase confidence in the process, and inform about the benefits it can bring to the industry at large.
Assessing and evaluating environmental turbidity limits for dredging
Dredging is essential for the maintenance and development of ports, harbours and waterways to allow for safe navigation, remediation and flood management. The process, which relocates large volumes of sediment, can be accompanied by the release of suspended sediments into the water column referred to as sediment plumes.
Interview: Mark van Koningsveld ‘If you focus on primary objectives only, then you will pay in sustainability’
Mark van Koningsveld’s quest for a sustainable dredging industry takes to the front of the classroom as he begins his new role as professor of Ports & Waterways at TU Delft.
How navigable are fluid mud layers?
Safe navigation through ports and waterways is determined by the space available under a ship's keel, but a seabed of fluid mud can get in the way.
Interview: ‘Can ports face extreme vessel growth by themselves?’
The International Association of Ports and Harbors’s Patrick Verhoeven discusses the major topics facing the world’s ports as they prepare for the future as well as ways ports can adapt to the ever-growing scale increase of ships.
An Improved Integrated Approach for Optimising Shipping Channel Capacity for Australian Ports
The continuing surge in vessel sizes is putting increased pressure on port authorities worldwide. Experts recount the implementation of innovative modelling for maintaining channel depths at the ports of Brisbane and Geelong, Australia.
Facts About
Water Injection Dredging
“Facts About Water Injection Dredging” describes a relatively new hydrodynamic dredging technique that is low-impact, economically viable and environmentally sound.
Turbidity & Dredging
“Facts About Turbidity & Dredging” describes the characteristics of turbidity and the importance of measuring and monitoring turbidity during dredging.
Safety (a Safe Culture in Dredging)
“Facts About a Safe Culture in Dredging” describes international safety standards for the maritime industries and the pro-active initiatives of dredging contractors.
Environmental Monitoring
The Fact Sheet "Environmental Monitoring” describes the methods used to alert dredging contractors to environmental impacts so they can be addressed quickly.
Building with Nature
“Facts About Building with Nature” describes an approach to planning and designing infrastructure that respects nature and uses natural forces proactively.
Environmental Impact Assessments
“Facts About Environmental Impact Assessments” describes how, when and why to evaluate the environmental situation prior to the start of a dredging project.
Environmental Equipment
“Facts About Environmental Equipment” describes equipment specifically developed to remove and remediate contaminated sediments and protect the nearby waters.
Ecosystem Services
“Facts About Ecosystem Services & Dredging” describes how the value attributed to ecosystems and to dredging projects can be compared and evaluated.
Early Contractor Involvement
“Facts About Early Contractor Involvement” describes a more cooperative, cost-effective approach to designing and planning infrastructure projects.
Dredging Management Practices for the Environment
“Facts About Dredging Management Practices for the Environment” describes how to create management guidance for improving environmental performance.
Publications
Dredging for Sustainable Infrastructure
The book Dredging for Sustainable Infrastructure gives state-of-the-art guidance on how to design, implement and manage a water infrastructure project with a dredging component to project owners, regulators, consultants, designers and contractors.
A Guide to Cost Standards for Dredging Equipment 2009
A joint venture between IADC and CIRIA, the publication A guide to cost standards for dredging equipment 2009 offers a benchmark to establish the capital and related costs of various types of dredging plant and equipment commonly in use within the industry.
Ecosystem services: Towards integrated marine infrastructure project optimisation
The report provides the general concept of ecosystem services and the overall considerations on its use in the context of dredging projects.
Hydraulic Fill Manual
This manual, a first of its kind, is an ideal reference for all involved in the development of such infrastructure projects.
Dragado para el Desarrollo (Dredging for Development)
A clear non-technical introduction to the complex field of dredging, published in co-operation with the International Association of Ports & Harbors.
Dredging for Development
A clear non-technical introduction to the complex field of dredging, published in co-operation with the International Association of Ports & Harbors.
Webinars
Safety: Vehicle Movements (on demand)
Presented by Mr Dries de Paepe and Mr Kristof Van Gysel from Jan De Nul, the safety webinar is about Vehicle Movements. Experts in the subject, the speakers will provide insights on how operational control is obtained when dealing with heavy machinery.
Safety and Dredging (on demand)
The webinar features safety experts who provide you insights on how safety risks such as hydrogen sulphide (H2S), unexploded ordnances (UXO) and mooring were handled on the New Suez Canal Project.
Ecosystem Services (on demand)
How to utilise the ecosystem services concept for more integrated marine infrastructure project assessments?