PIANC Inland Navigation Commission (InCom) has renewed call out for members for InCom WG270 ‘Strategies to Prevent Negative Effects of External Threats in Inland Waters Infrastructure And Facilities.’
Interested? Please apply before COB 2 October 2026 to PIANC AU-NZ Board.
Objectives of WG270: External Threats
The objective of the working group will be to gather experiences from waterway management authorities that have suffered the action of external threats in the infrastructure and operating systems of waterways.
The possible consequences of this type of intervention will be studied, and the mitigation measures which have been proposed (successfully or not) will be collected (case studies). As a result of these case studies, strategies to mitigate or reduce the negative effects of the consequences of these threats will be discussed.
While vandalism will probably be the most frequent (and with the most negative consequences) case of external threats, the report will exclude acts of terrorism or criminal actions with a high degree of organisation. It will also exclude issues related to cybersecurity, a topic already addressed in TG 204.
External Threats (ExtTh) are defined as harmful actions that are not related to planned navigation activities, which impact negatively inland navigation. ExtTh may be caused directly or indirectly by third parties such as human beings, animals or plants, whether they act intentionally or not. ExtTh considered in this report relate only to the infrastructure and not to the management, cybersecurity, terrorism, shut down due to, for instance, COVID, climate change (flood, etc.), or natural deterioration (corrosion, aging, etc.). Note that this definition may be discussed and eventually revised by the WG.
For more information please download the WG70 Terms of Reference
Interested in being part of this International Working Groups?
If you would like to represent the Australian & New Zealand National Section of PIANC on this Working Group, please apply to the AU-NZ Board. Many of our members are currently active on a number of PIANC Working Groups and they produce significant outcomes that benefit maritime matters in our region. They also bring significant benefits to participants who get to meet, learn from and share with global experts.
Please advise if you qualify as a Young Professional (YP – 40 years or younger) as there are two positions available in each Working Group, one of which is for a YP.
How to Apply
Please forward your application before COB Friday 2 October 2026
Send your application to both emails below:
Greg Britton, (Technical Commission Lead AU-NZ) E: greg.britton@rhdhv.com,
AND Paul Weston, Executive Officer AU-NZ) E: Paul.weston@pianc.org.au
Process for Applications
Your application should include a detailed CV/Resume with a short covering letter outlining:
1. Your experience in the particular technical field;
2. Why the WG is relevant for the Australian / NZ content and the direct benefits of participation;
3. A commitment that you will prepare (for distribution to all members) a short report providing an overview & outcomes of the WG etc;
4. Whether or not you are seeking to access Travel Assistance Policy (TAP )funding; and
5. Whether you qualify as a Young Professional.
Eligibility:
Please note that Working Group Members need to be Individual Members of PIANC, working for a Corporate Member or Platinum Partner, be an invited expert or a be a member of a Sister Organisation.
Process:
A Selection Committee will review all nominations received and make a final recommendation to the PIANC AU-NZ Chair.
Responsibilities:
Please be aware that membership of a Working Group requires your active participation. This includes attending typically four Working Group meetings per year – most held virtually but typically at least one in-person meeting once a year at an international location (generally Europe). You may apply to be a ‘Corresponding Member’ if you do not want to undertake the normal travel requirements of full membership. If you are expert in the field, however, and would like to influence the outcome of the Working Group we encourage you to participate as fully as you are able.
Costs:
All costs associated with membership must be borne by either yourself or your employer, however PIANC Australia & New Zealand has a Travel Assistance Policy to partially assist with travel & attendance at Working Group meetings, in order to promote Australian and New Zealand technical input into these important WG activities.
Under the PIANC AU-NZ Travel Assistance Policy (TAP), annual available funding per WG member is $3,000, subject to application and approval. TAP funds may be payable post travel upon the successful completion of a WG Summary Report and production of relevant travel receipts.