PIANC appointment

PIANC is the leading, well-established reference for the design, development and maintenance of ports, waterways and coastal areas. PIANC’s MarCom Working Groups bring together the best international experts to provide guidance and technical advice related to waterborne transport and infrastructure within the maritime industry. Since 2002, PIANC’s “Guidelines for the Design of Fender Systems” has become a well-established reference for the maritime industry.

The new WG211 Working Group will focus on the requirement to update the guidance document to meet the latest standards set by ports, operators, vessel owners and stakeholders. The Working Group will also be looking to develop an approach to fender design and testing that will minimise the risk of misinterpretation of the guidance.

PIANC’s WG211 will consult with a wide range of maritime industry leading operators, designers and manufacturers including bodies responsible for quality assurance and testing, with the objective of updating the existing guidelines last published in 2002. The Working Group will also be reviewing the fender system guidelines from the perspective of fender durability, maintenance and repair.

Since the issue of the original PIANC guidance, there has been a rapid evolution in vessel design aspects including size and hull profile, hull pressure capabilities and the associated industry application of fenders. This has led to innovation, refinement and development of the complete fenders systems at ports worldwide.

By Jake Frith