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More Sponsors back PIANC MMX Congress

Atkins Global, Peel Ports, Royal Haskoning and the International Association of Dredging Contractors (IADC) join Dredging International and Westminster Dredging in pledging their support for the PIANC MMX Congress which will take place in Liverpool in May 2010. This major international Congress returns to the UK for the first time in over 30 years, and coincides with the occasion of the 125th anniversary of PIANC.

PIANC is the global organisation providing guidance for sustainable waterborne transport infrastructure for ports and waterways, and is the forum where professionals around the world join forces to provide expert advice to facilitate the growth of maritime and inland waterborne transport.

The Congress will be staged in the new BT Convention Centre in Liverpool, newly opened in 2008, which is perfectly sited on the waterfront, adjacent to the historic Albert Docks and the new cruise line terminal in the flourishing Port of Liverpool. Upwards of six hundred delegates from more than forty countries are expected to attend the Congress.

Atkins, Peel Ports and Royal Haskoning have committed to a ‘Support Sponsorship’ which affords them good publicity in the build-up as well as at the Congress itself, access the social functions as well as the opportunity to address delegates, while IADC have taken a smaller sponsorship role.

Richard Hill, Associate of Atkins Global Ports and Maritime Division said:  “Our support of PIANC MMX is part of our commitment to the necessary innovation and excellence demanded of consultants such as ourselves, as we face the urgent challenge of climate change and transition to a low carbon built environment.  As sponsors of this year’s congress, we are eager to share our expertise, as well as learn from the experience and best practice of other global industry professionals.”

Chairman of the PIANC UK Section, Stephen Cork added:  “We are most grateful to companies for their support of this important Congress.  In past years, PIANC could rely on the financial support of Governments but now, as is the case in a number of other countries, we are entirely dependent upon the generosity of companies and organisations in the private sector to make this a successful showcase for UK maritime and inland transport expertise. “

Dated:    3rd December 2009

For further information visit the website www.piancmmx.org.uk or contact: Stephen Cork Chairman PIANC UK Section, HR Wallingford Ltd. Howbery Park, Wallingford, Oxfordshire OX10 8BA, United Kingdom, e-mail: s.cork@hrwallingford.co.uk. tel: +44 (0) 1491 835381 (switchboard), t: +44 (0) 7753 881 246 (mobile), www.hrwallingford.co.uk

Liverpool

Liverpool is a flourishing Atlantic port in a region with a strong maritime and inland waterways heritage, but also a substantial investment in regeneration and provision of modern facilities.

It was chosen as the European Capital of Culture 2008, which proved a great success and Liverpool showed the world the best of its creativity and wonderful cultural attractions on offer.

This lively city, the original home of The Beatles, has many cultural attractions including two iconic 20th century cathedrals, national museums, art galleries and a concert hall with a resident international orchestra. In the surrounding region are aristocratic country houses, the Roman city of Chester to the south, the mountain region of North Wales to the west, the Lake District to the north and the Pennine hills to the east.

This year the Congress will be held in the new Arena and Convention Centre which opened its doors in 2008 situated on Liverpool’s historic waterfront. This famous waterfront has recently been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site known and recognised world wide for its Three Graces, the Albert Dock and the Pier Head.

BBC North West