New PIANC Inland Navigation Commission (InCom) – call out for members of WG273 Optimised Maintenance Dredging Volumes in Inland Waterways. Interested? Please apply!
Maintenance dredging is essential to preserve the navigability of inland waterways in many parts of the world. In major river systems, dredging is a recurring intervention required to maintain adequate depths for safe and reliable vessel operation, and it directly influences navigation performance, transport efficiency, maintenance planning, budgeting and investment decisions.
The estimation of dredging volumes is therefore a critical element of inland waterway management. In practice, many dredging volume estimates are still based on deterministic approaches using a single hydrological reference condition, one bathymetric surface and fixed channel dimensions. While such approaches are widely used, they do not always represent the variability of hydrological conditions, channel morphology or operational reliability requirements in a sufficiently robust and transparent way. This challenge becomes even more relevant under increasing hydrological variability and changing river regimes observed in many inland waterway systems.
A clear methodological gap therefore exists. There is a need for practical guidance to improve the robustness, consistency and transparency of dredging volume estimates, to reduce their sensitivity to arbitrary assumptions, and to support more reliable planning of maintenance dredging interventions.
The objective of this WG is to develop an internationally applicable methodological framework to improve and optimise the methods used for estimating maintenance dredging volumes in inland waterways, considering the different typologies of waterways (natural free-flowing rivers, regulated rivers and canals).
Download Terms of Reference here:
Apply before 3 July 2026 to PIANC AU-NZ Board.
Interested in being part of this International Working Group?
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. 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.
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 3 July 2026
Send your application to both emails below:
Greg Britton, (Technical Commission Lead AU-NZ) E: greg.britton@rhdhv.com,
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.