June 2024 COPRI Update

Daniel B. Robbins, PE, Senior Project Manager, GEI Consultants, Inc., and COPRI Boston Chapter Chair

The Coasts, Oceans, Ports, and Rivers Institute (COPRI) of American Society of Civil Engineers is now in its 24th year and looks to enhance the professional and technical development of engineers and non-engineering professionals. COPRI serves its membership and society by uniting the disciplines working to sustainably develop, protect, and restore coasts, oceans, ports, waterways, rivers, and wetlands; integrating the key stakeholders into decision-making processes; advancing technological state of art and practice; and influencing public policy.

The COPRI Boston Chapter looks to add to its historic success, build community within the waterfront industry, and get back to holding in-person meetups. Over the coming year, there are already some exciting events in the works including a regional port planning meeting exploring the history of New England ports, successes and challenges within the New England port network, the future of ports and transportation networks, and how New England ports can be a key shipping, transportation, and economic driver throughout the region.

Additionally, COPRI Boston Chapter is looking to hold a day-long seminar on offshore wind. This workshop features a review the state of the offshore wind industry within the Northeast and beyond. While learning about this topic, attendees will gain an understanding of the different types of facilities and the development criteria for their design, rehabilitation, and constructability.

These events will lead up to the 17th triennial PORTS Conference, PORTS’25. We are excited and extremely fortunate to be having this event hosted locally June 1-4, 2025, at the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence. Save the Dates! This conference has consistently drawn an international audience of hundreds of port, harbor, waterway, and marine industry professionals, government officials, contractors, and suppliers who come together to share their knowledge and learn from the experiences of others. The papers and presentations promise to cover a broad spectrum of topics dealing with a multitude of issues facing the ports and harbors community. We encourage interested individuals to check out https://www.portsconference.org/. Registration will soon be open and we look forward to seeing you there!

COPRI Boston Chapter is always looking for new members! Interested professionals within industry as well as government can check out your local COPRI Boston Chapter here or join us at one of our monthly meetings by emailing me at COPRI@bsces.org. I encourage nonmembers whether young or experienced to become a member of BSCES and COPRI. Through ASCE you have the opportunity to join one institute free of charge or add a second institute for a nominal fee. Students are also encouraged to join for free. Become a member today!