Innovative Solutions and Proactive Approaches
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Innovative Solutions and Proactive Approaches

CEDA’s Iberian Conference 2016

At the end of October 2016, the Central Dredging Association (CEDA) co-hosted a conference with the Portuguese Engineers Association (OE) in Lisbon, Portugal. The CEDA Iberian Conference: Dredging for Sustainable Port Development attracted over 120 participants and addressed key topics relevant to the success of port dredging and sediment management projects, with a focus on the Iberian Peninsula.

On behalf of the co-organiser, Mr Carlos Loureiro, OE vice-president, stressed that the shared objectives, of the creation and dissemination of high-quality knowledge, made CEDA and OE ‘natural’ partners in presenting the event.

Comprehensive Programme

The conference started with a short introduction by Conference Chair, Stefan Aarninkhof, professor of Coastal Engineering at Delft University of Technology, the Netherlands. The sessions featured 15 technical presentations by high-profile speakers from eight different countries. Conference participants were treated to a comprehensive programme which covered concept and strategies for sustainability; developments of ports and coasts; sediment management; and environmental management and monitoring.

In addition, there was a special Young CEDA Pitch Talk session of 3 fast-paced and sharp presentations. Young professionals, representing Dravosa, HAL Maritime and Boskalis, had the opportunity to expose their ideas to an expert audience and get immediate feedback and encouragement.

Site Visit

The programme included a technical visit to Caparica beach hosted by the Portuguese Environment Agency. The Agency worked closely with the Port of Lisbon Authority to devise a dredging plan, using dredged sediments from maintenance dredging to successfully mitigate erosion problems on the beaches, and the visit was a great opportunity for participants to hear from those involved.

Participants were invited to capture in photos the concepts, ideas and approaches presented during the conference and the best pictures were entered into a photo competition organised by Young CEDA. In addition to adding an interactive element, the photo competition also sought to stimulate further thinking and discussion. Creators of the 10 shortlisted photos had the opportunity to pitch their work in one minute each. After that the audience voted. ‘The coast is safe, I can relax’, summarised the winning photo by Gerard van Raalte (GRA Consultancy) which stressed that sustainability is also about people.

The conference offered plenty of opportunities outside the formal sessions for participants to ‘talk about business’ and relax and have a good time together.

 

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