Reflection on the 35th PIANC World Congress 2024

As the excitement of hosting the 35th PIANC World Congress—the first on African soil—gradually fades, the impactful discussions it sparked continue to resonate.

A month has passed since the Congress was held in Cape Town, South Africa. The week was brimming with engaging presentations and events that brought together international experts in Port and Coastal Engineering with our local South African specialists. This integration of local and international expertise is crucial for fostering a sustainable maritime sector in Africa, making the theme “Future Ready Waterborne Transport – Unlocking Africa” particularly fitting.

The Congress catered to a diverse range of delegates, each finding unique takeaways from the event. After some time to reflect, I’d like to share my personal highlights of the week.

Local Organising Committee (LOC)

I had the privilege of serving on the Local Organising Committee (LOC) leading up to the Congress. Working with seasoned PIANC members to organize this prestigious event was a pleasure. Additionally, I engaged with the Young Professionals Committee to arrange events aimed at growing PIANC YP in South Africa.

PIANC Annual General Assembly (AGA)

As a member of the LOC, I was invited to attend the PIANC AGA. This provided invaluable insight into the organization’s inner workings and the achievements of its various commissions over the past year. For someone relatively new to PIANC, it was an excellent opportunity to understand the organization’s structure and its critical role in developing technical knowledge within the marine sector.

PIANC YP Delegates Meeting

The PIANC YP Committee held a delegates meeting on the Sunday before the Congress started. This hybrid meeting invited official delegates and observers from various countries to participate. We workshopped ideas on growing and strengthening PIANC YP initiatives and member participation. This collaborative environment allowed countries with robust PIANC YP structures to share lessons learned and challenges faced in establishing a PIANC YP presence in their respective nations. The YP delegate meeting was followed by a team-building event, Bowls, which facilitated informal interactions among Young Professionals from different countries before the Congress began.

Young Professional Networking Event

PIANC YP South Africa has been relatively inactive in recent years. The World Congress in South Africa presented the perfect opportunity to relaunch PIANC YP South Africa. We organized a networking event at the Royal Cape Yacht Club for Young Professionals attending the Congress, creating an opportunity to connect local young professionals with the international PIANC YP community. The event underscored the essential role Young Professionals play in organizations like PIANC. Investing in Young Professionals is vital for the future development of the maritime sector in South Africa. PIANC provides an excellent platform for knowledge transfer and mentorship opportunities for its Young Professionals.

This event wouldn’t have been possible without our sponsors, who share our belief in investing in Young Professionals. A special thank you to Zutari and Trelleborg for their co-sponsorship of the Networking Event.

Technical Presentations

The Congress thrived on the many technical papers presented throughout the week. These presentations explored the latest developments in the maritime industry, providing a platform for like-minded individuals to connect and share ideas.

Thank you, PIANC, for an incredible learning experience and for introducing me to many new colleagues, mentors, and friends. To the Young Professionals in Belgium: I urge you to get involved with the next LOC as hosts of the 2028 World Congress. Opportunities to contribute to such a prestigious event are rare. I look forward to growing PIANC YP South Africa and plan to establish a committee in the coming months. Keep an eye out for a call for nominations soon.