GPF Executive Workshop on Dredging Techniques and Construction Management for Ports & Terminals, 6-8 May, 2026 Singapore.
GPF Executive Workshop on Dredging Techniques and Construction Management for Ports & Terminals, 6-8 May, 2026 Singapore.
GPF Executive Workshop on Dredging Techniques and Construction Management for Ports & Terminals, 6-8 May, 2026 Singapore.
Dear Industry collegaues
About the Course
Successful maritime construction projects require skilled contractors, consultants and clients, bound by a fair contract, who are willing and able to work together to resolve technical and management difficulties as they arise. This workshop aims to develop, amongst contracting partners, a constructive approach for planning, design and execution of dredging and maritime construction projects. It will highlight the capital intensive nature of maritime construction, in contrast with other civil works that are predominately labor intensive, and will consider the key issues in the preparation phase of such projects including site characterization, feasibility study, preliminary and detailed design, finance management, project administration and dispute resolution.
Who to attend
Dredging and maritime construction projects involve a wide range of skills and professional from different discipline. The target audience comprises of
- Consulting Engineers, designers, resident engineers, site staff
- Dredging contractors, project managers, site engineers
- Legal counselors, construction lawyers and arbitrators
- Insurers, projects financiers and financial managers
- Advisors – dredging and maritime construction projects
- Dredging officers (Deputy Conservators / Harbor Masters / Pilots / Hydrographic Survey Department Officers / Surveyors / Chief Engineers / Executive Engineers / Engineers (Civil Department of Ports, Law Officers of Ports, Inland Water Transport, Minor Ports, Maritime States)
- Young Engineers, Dredging and Shipping Cadets and Maritime Students
Course Outline
- Historical evolution of dredging
- Next-Generation Mega-Dredgers and Intelligent Operation System
- Characteristics of Detailed Project Report
- Contracts, Legislation and Engineer Determination
- Planning and Execution of the Dredging Project
- Rivers, Canals, Waterways Dredging
- Maximizing Dredging Production: Process Control and Efficiency Optimization
- Advanced Soil Cutting Technologies for Hard Ground Conditions
- Dispute Resolution and Arbitration members
Program Schedule
| Day 1 |
0900 to 1000 Hrs
Historical Evolution of Dredging
Transformation and Development in Dredging
Need of Dredging
Various Dredging Techniques
1100 – 1200 Hrs
Next-Generation Mega-Dredgers and Intelligent Operation Systems
Types of Modern Dredgers – advantages and disadvantages
Identification of Dredging Equipments for the Project
Combination of Dredges for Projects
Planning for Dredger Deployment
1200 – 1300 Hrs
Characteristics of Detailed Project Report
Interpretation of Detailed Project Report
Analysis of Detailed Project Report
Strata and Substrata information
Other Project Details
1300 – 1315 Hrs
Recap – Discussion
1315 – 1400 Hrs
Lunch Break
1400 – 1500 Hrs
Dredging and its significance
– Ports and Harbor
– Inland Waterways
– Rivers, Dams and Reservoirs
Equipments identification for the above projects
1500 – 1600 Hrs
Project Planning
Permission, Permits and Licence
Logistics Planning
Schedule of Works – Detailed Micro level planning
Design and Detailed Engineering
1600 – 1700 Hrs
Design of Tender Documents
Technical Specifications
Special Conditions of Contract
Project Specific contracts
Day 2
0900 – 1000 Hrs
Technical Data and Information – Dredging Project
– Bathymetry Data and Topography Data
– Strata and Substrata Data
– Climatic Conditions
– Political Interference
– Fishermen / Local Interference
– Shipping Traffic
– Cyclone information
– Hydraulics, waves, currents, swell information
1000 – 1100 Hrs
Soil Analysis and Modeling
Production Calculation for Different Dredgers
Interpretation of Borehole Logs and other geotechnical data
1100 – 1200 Hrs
Advanced Soil Cutting Technologies for Hard Ground Conditions
Hard Clay and Soft Rock Dredging
High-Power Cutter Systems
Wear, Tooth Consumption and Maintenance Strategy
Pre-treatment and Fragmentation Methods
1200 – 1300 Hrs
Maximizing Dredging Production
Process Control and Efficiency Optimization
Cutter Torque Optimization
Slurry Density Control
Pump Matching and Power Utilization
1300 – 1315 Hrs
Recap – Discussion
1315 – 1400 Hrs
Lunch Break
1400 – 1500 Hrs
Schedule of Program
Planning of Schedule of Works
Methodology Approval
Revised Schedule of Works
Revised Methodology
1500 – 1600 Hrs
Handling Large Volume of Projects
Multiple Dredger Coordination
Booster Station Planning
Floating Pipeline Management
Production Monitoring and Control
1600 – 1700 Hrs
Potential Known and Unknown Risks
Geotechnical Risks
Weather and Marine Risks
Regulatory and Political Risks
Risk Allocation in Contracts
Day 3
0900 – 1000 Hrs
Introduction to Basic Works Contract
Essentials of Contracts
Different Types of Contract
Engineer Determination
Contracts, Legislation and Risk Allocation
1000 – 1100 Hrs
Technical Specifications in Dredging Contracts
Special Conditions of Contract
Performance Guarantees
Liquidated Damages
Variation and Change Management
1100 – 1200 Hrs
Claims Management in Dredging Projects
Extension of Time (EOT)
Productivity and Delay Claims
Documentation and Record Keeping
Contract Administration Strategy
1200 – 1300 Hrs
Dispute Resolution Board – Alternate Dispute Resolution Mechanism
Role of DRB Members
Adjudication and Expert Determination
1300 – 1315 Hrs
Recap – Discussion
1315 – 1400 Hrs
Lunch Break
1400 – 1500 Hrs
Arbitration and Legal Recourse
International Arbitration Practices
Technical Expert Witness Role
Institutional Arbitration Procedures
1500 – 1600 Hrs
Case Studies in Dredging Disputes
Lessons Learned from International Projects
Risk Mitigation through Contract Structuring
1600 – 1700 Hrs
Discussion – Q and A
Integrated Technical and Contractual Clarifications
Note: There shall be two tea / coffee breaks in a day; the timing can be mutually accepted for such breaks.
About the Course Director (subject to final confirmation)
Dr. Zhu Shengqing is a Lead Technical Expert at CCCC Tianjin Dredging Co., Ltd. and the founding director of the “Zhu Shengqing Innovation Studio” , specializing in advanced dredging equipment R&D and construction methodology optimization. He obtained his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore , with his doctoral research focused on composite materials and impact dynamics. He served for seven years as a Plan Approval Engineer at the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) in Singapore, reviewing designs for FPSOs, FLNGs, and drillships, and contributed to ABS rule developments on composite repairs and non-linear finite element analysis. He is a Chartered Engineer with the Royal Institution of Naval Architects (RINA) , UK, and has authored multiple SCI-indexed papers in Composites Science and Technology and Composite Structures. He holds several Chinese national patents in marine structure design. At CCCC Tianjin Dredging, he leads pioneering research into high-wear-resistant composite cutter teeth, abrasion-resistant pipelines, and deep-sea mining systems.
George Yesu Vedha Victor is from the 6th Batch of All India Dredging Cadre (AIDC) and obtained his Dredge Master Certificate of Competency. He is the General Secretary of Eastern Dredging Association India and Board Member of Eastern Dredging Association (Asia, Australia region). He obtained his Doctoral Degree from Indian Institute of Cultivation of Science, Calcutta. He obtained his licence as Chartered Engineer from Royal Society of Engineers, United Kingdom. He is a Fellow in Indian Council of Arbitration and FICCI – Fact. He is full member in Mediation and Dispute Resolution, United Kingdom. He was awarded the Young Scientist award by TN – DST for his contribution to research work. He is a qualified Marine Lawyer and Arbitrator, appearing for commercial contracts, admiralty law and maritime matters.
Victor is empanelled consultant in Asian Development Bank, World Bank and United Nations – ESCAP. He still pursue his passion for teaching being a visiting professor in maritime institutions. regularly provides his inputs for the betterment of the Industry to the policy makers of Ministry of Shipping, DG Shipping, INSA, EADA, African Ports Association and others. He is a peer reviewer and is on Editorial board for reputed international and national journals. He served as a member in the 12th Five Year Planning Committee for ports – capital and maintenance dredging and is a National Committee Member of FICCI in Infrastructure Development.
Thomas Ng
Thomas Ng has over 31 years of consulting experience in the ports and shipping industry. Thomas is known for developing innovative solutions for players within the ports & shipping industry, — in areas of investments advisory, port strategy, development, marketing, planning & redesign, customer services and port operations; and delivering superior results.
He is the Executive Chairman of The Global Ports Forum (GPF) since 2008. The Global Ports Forum is a platform where all ports stakeholders in the ecosystem- port customers, port authorities, port operators, port people, port suppliers & service providers are gathered together to discuss about issues furthering the interests of ports globally.
Thomas is well-respected in the ports & shipping circles — recognized for his in-depth industry knowledge and far-reaching personal industry network and linkages. Some of his recent port investments advisory work include ports in the Middle East, Africa, Southern Europe, South East Asia, Latin America, etc.
Given Thomas’ far-reaching personal port industry network and linkages, Thomas is often seek out by port investors and port privatisation candidates all over the world for collaborative partnership.
Thomas is invited regularly as speaker & facilitator for Ports conferences, roundtable and executive programs and workshops.
He is the senior port & terminal training expert for the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Singapore Cooperation Programme (SCP) for foreign ports officials for over 10 years. Recent programmes conducted by Thomas include the 5 days executive program in “Port Development and Competitiveness”, Singapore on 12-16 Dec 2016 where Thomas was the key trainer for over 60% of the whole executive program. Some other early SCP programmes that Thomas taught over 20 senior foreign government transport officials included the 2 weeks Singapore MFA Executive Programme in Logistics & Distribution Management on 28 Aug – 10 Sep 2007 & again on 6 Oct – 17 Oct 2008.
Thomas spoke recently at the Transport Intelligence Singapore 2013 Infrastructure panel, together with senior executives from the World Bank & UPS, the Container Depot Association Singapore Conference 2014 on ports and infrastructure, Tank Storage Asia Conference in 2015 and an exclusive Roundtable on Smart ports & ships and Internet of Things in Jun 2016.
On a professional level, Thomas founded the non-government voluntary organization — The Global Ports Council (GPC) in 2008. As of today, over 192 C-level executives globally presents themselves as members of our council. Our prestigious list of Council members are as follows:
Thomas is also a veteran Chartered member (since 2001) of the Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport Singapore. He served as a Board Member of the Singapore Branch of Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport for over 22 years.
18th GPF Anniversary Special. Pay for Two participants, another Two comes free. No other promotion applicable.
Costs:
Before 6 Mar 2026 : The ‘Early Bird’ Rate is USD7495 – Save USD800!
Special Offer! – 3 Delegates For The Price of 2 in This Category! Save USD7495!
From 7 Mar 2026 – The Regular Rate is USD8295
Special Offer! – 3 Delegates For The Price of 2 in This Category! Save USD8295!
Note: All fees stated include luncheons, refreshments and complete set of documentation. It does not include the cost of accommodation and travel.
REGISTER NOW!
To register, please submit the following details to thomasng@globalportsforum.com:
Name:
Position:
Organisation:
Address:
Tel:
Fax:
Email:
What Best Describes Your Industry Sector?:
Billing information:
For cheque payments: To be made payable to ‘Global Ports Forum Pte. Ltd.’ Please do not send post-dated cheque.
For telegraphic transfers:
Account Name: Global Ports Forum Pte. Ltd.,
Account No. : 695 477 141 001.
Beneficiary Bank: Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation Limited, Singapore. (Swift: OCBCSGSG),
Address : 65 Chulia Street #01-00, OCBC Centre, Singapore 049513.
Please supply confirmation via email of the TT from your bank. Transmitting bank charges must be paid by sender. Please quote both delegate and company name as reference.
Kindly note that as we are providing a special rate for ‘early bird’ sign up, we will need to receive your company payment by 6 Mar 2026 to enjoy the discount.
Look forward to welcoming you at the executive workshop/forums.
Kind regards
Thomas Ng
Chairman
The Global Ports Forum
GLOBAL PORTS FORUM PTE. LTD.
10 Anson Road
#18-11
International Plaza
Singapore 079903
Website: www.globalportsforum.com/
Mobile: +65 9684 3289
DID: +65 65197662
Fax: +65 6725 8438
Email: thomasng@globalportsforum.com
Terms & Conditions:
No delegate registration will be accepted without completing registration details and full payment.
Upon receipt of your registration details and full payment, further programme information will be emailed to you including your proforma invoice and, if required, a letter of invitation for entry visa application.
Delegates will not be admitted unless payment has been received in Full.
Flights, Airport Transfers and Accommodation are not included in your delegate registration fee.
Refund Policy – a reimbursement of the registration fee, minus administrative charges will only be made if the participant has notified Global Ports Forum Pte. Ltd. in writing that he/she is unable to attend the event no less than 45 days prior to the commencement of the event. No cancellation is allowed after that, but a replacement with another participant is allowed.
This programme is subject to change without notice, E&O.E.