COURSE OVERVIEW:

Channel Design and Maintenance Dredging Strategies is an advanced technical program tailored for port authorities, hydraulic engineers, and dredging contractors. This course provides an in-depth exploration of the criteria for designing safe and efficient navigation channels that accommodate the increasing size of modern vessels. Participants will examine the integration of vessel maneuverability, tidal dynamics, and sediment transport to determine optimal channel width, depth, and alignment.

The scope of this training involves a detailed analysis of the dredging lifecycle, from capital dredging for new port projects to the ongoing management of siltation. Attendees will learn about the various types of dredging equipment including Trailing Suction Hopper Dredgers (TSHD) and Cutter Suction Dredgers (CSD) and how to select the right tool based on soil characteristics and environmental constraints. The course details the methodology for predicting shoaling rates and developing cost-effective maintenance schedules that minimize downtime for port operations.

Coverage includes the regulatory and environmental aspects of dredging, such as the management of contaminated sediments and the design of offshore disposal sites or beneficial reuse projects. Participants will explore advanced monitoring technologies, including real-time bathymetry and automated dredge tracking systems. By bridging the gap between hydraulic modeling and operational execution, this course equips professionals with the expertise to manage navigable waterways that support global trade while ensuring environmental compliance and financial viability.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

After completion of this course, the participants will be able to:

1. Identify the key parameters for navigation channel design according to PIANC guidelines.
2. Determine required channel depth considering Squat, Trim, and Under Keel Clearance (UKC).
3. Calculate optimal channel widths for one-way and two-way traffic.
4. Analyze the impact of bends and cross-currents on channel maneuverability.
5. Select appropriate dredging equipment for different soil types (Rock, Sand, Silt).
6. Develop comprehensive Maintenance Dredging plans based on siltation analysis.
7. Utilize bathymetric data to identify shoaling trends and dredging priorities.
8. Manage environmental impacts, including turbidity and sediment plumes.
9. Evaluate options for the beneficial reuse of dredged materials (Reclamation/Nourishment).
10. Implement precision dredging using GPS and underwater monitoring systems.
11. Calculate dredging productivity and project cost estimates.
12. Oversee dredging contracts and quality assurance protocols.
13. Integrate Sea Level Rise (SLR) impacts into long-term channel maintenance.

TARGET AUDIENCE:

Port Engineers, Dredging Project Managers, Harbor Masters, Marine Civil Engineers, and Environmental Officers in the maritime sector.

TRAINING COURSE METHODOLOGY:

A highly interactive combination of lectures, discussion sessions, and case studies will be employed to maximise the transfer of information, knowledge, and experience. The course will be intensive, practical, and highly interactive. The sessions will start by raising the most relevant questions and motivating everybody to find the right answers. The attendants will also be encouraged to raise more of their questions and to share in developing the right answers using their analysis and experience. There will also be some indoor experiential activities to enhance the learning experience. Course material will be provided in PowerPoint, with necessary animations, learning videos, and general discussions.

The course participants shall be evaluated before, during, and at the end of the course.

COURSE CERTIFICATE:

National Consultant Centre for Training LLC (NCC) will issue an Attendance Certificate to all participants completing a minimum of 80% of the total attendance time requirement.