Panama rendezvous for dredging associations
‘ Connecting the World through Dredging’ was the theme when sister associations the Central Dredging Association (CEDA), which serves Africa, Europe and the Middle East joined the Western Dredging Association (WEDA), which serves all of the Americas, organised their first joint international seminar on sustainable dredging and maritime construction last month in Panama City, Panama.
The one day event was sponsored and hosted by the Panama Canal Authority (ACP), in its Ascanio Arosemena Complex. Over 110 experts from 10 CEDA and WEDA countries, representing a broad spectrum of the dredging and maritime fields, registered for the event. Delegates from outside Panama appreciated the unique opportunity to hear first hand about the Panama Canal Expansion Programme. In two technical sessions, the ACP, the autonomous government agency in charge of managing the Panama Canal, and Dredging International, the firm selected by the ACP to dredge the Pacific Ocean sea entrance, gave in depth presentations covering various aspects of the project.
CEDA and WEDA are the only independent international associations in their respective geographical areas whose sole interests are dredging and marine construction and that provide a platform for professional groups engaged in these fields. True to this nature of CEDA and WEDA, the other two sessions included talks on a range of subjects given by project owners, dredging contractors, consultants and regulators.,
According to ACP employees in the audience, the presentations proved timely and relevant for their work at the Panama Canal. ‘Some of the topics presented are issues that we are in the process of investigating, discussing and learning about’, said one of the participants.
The reception after the seminar gave an excellent opportunity to continue discussions in a congenial atmosphere.
The organisers, CEDA and WEDA expressed grtitude to the ACP for its support and to the co-sponsors, Dredging International de Panama and the magazine, Dredging and Port Construction, for sponsoring the event.
The presentations are available for conference participants and corporate members of CEDA online and will be made available to the public from 1 July 2009 on the conference’s website (www.cedaconferences.org/panama2009).
The joint meeting of the CEDA and WEDA Environment Commission took place immediately following the seminar, hosted by the ACP. The two groups regularly exchange information but joint meetings are a very rare occasion. Closer links between the two commissions and possible joint projects were discussed.
