COURSE OVERVIEW:

The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for Ports and Dredging Projects course is a comprehensive program focused on the sustainable development of maritime infrastructure. This course examines the systematic process of identifying, predicting, and evaluating the potential environmental consequences of port expansion and underwater excavation. It provides a technical framework for balancing the economic necessity of maritime trade with the protection of coastal ecosystems and biodiversity.

The scope of this training involves the detailed analysis of the EIA lifecycle, from screening and scoping to the preparation of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Participants will explore the specific impacts of dredging, such as increased turbidity, sediment plumes, and the disturbance of benthic habitats. The program emphasizes the regulatory requirements for water quality monitoring, noise abatement for marine mammals, and the management of contaminated dredged materials.

Coverage includes the socio-economic impacts on local communities and the integration of "Nature-Based Solutions" in port design. The course addresses the legal frameworks governing international waters and the role of stakeholders in the consultation process. By combining environmental science with port engineering, this course equips professionals to navigate the complex permitting processes and implement effective mitigation strategies for large-scale maritime projects.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

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

1. Identify the key stages of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process.
2. Analyze the specific environmental risks associated with dredging and reclamation.
3. Utilize numerical modeling for predicting sediment plumes and water quality.
4. Evaluate the impact of underwater noise on marine fauna and mammals.
5. Develop comprehensive Environmental Management and Monitoring Plans (EMMP).
6. Manage the disposal of dredged material in accordance with international law.
7. Conduct stakeholder mapping and lead public consultation sessions.
8. Assess the socio-economic impacts of port development on coastal communities.
9. Implement mitigation measures for the protection of coral reefs and seagrass.
10. Navigate the regulatory requirements of the London Convention and Protocol.
11. Audit dredging projects for compliance with environmental permit conditions.
12. Integrate climate change adaptation and sea-level rise into the EIA.
13. Lead the preparation of high-quality Environmental Impact Statements (EIS).

TARGET AUDIENCE:  

Environmental Officers, Port Planners, Dredging Project Managers, Government Regulators, and Marine Biologists.

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.