WODCON XVII will be hosted by the Netherlands based Central Dredging Association (CEDA), the responsibility handed on from the Brisbane based Eastern Dredging Association (EADA) which hosted WODCON XVI last year in Kuala Lumpur.

The event brings the international dredging community together for a programme of cutting edge technical papers which for WODCON XVII will include an Environment Day devoted to tackling the many environmental issues challenging the industry. Hamburg could provide an especially timely opportunity for the dredging community to assimilate the implications of the EU Water Framework Directive, due to be incorporated into national legislation by the end of 2003.

As host city, Hamburg will afford rich opportunities for delegates participating on WODCON's customary technical visits. Home to one of the world's major ports, Hamburg has been both a seaport and a river port for over 800 years, with dredging crucial to the development and maintenance of its navigation channels. There is a vast storehouse of knowledge and experience to be shared with WODCON delegates on the technical field trips being planned. As always at WODCON, a full programme of rewarding activities is organised for accompanying partners.

Optional pre and post-Congress tours will be arranged to the old Hanseatic cities as well as Berlin, the exciting new capital of the reunited Germany. Those preferring the quieter life can opt to tour the Baltic coastline of eastern Germany, the unique landscape between the North Sea and the Baltic, and the Wadden Sea coastal area with its tidal river systems.

Further information about WODCON XVII can be obtained from CEDA at PO Box 488, 2600 AL Delft, The Netherlands.

Tel: +31 (0)15 278 3145, Fax: +31 (0)15 278 7104, Email: ceda@dredging.org, Web: www.dredging.org