nEWS ITEMS

What does designing a navigation lock involve? And how do you ensure that all technical disciplines work together effectively? On Wednesday 25 November 2026, PIANC Netherlands is organising a workshop on the international PIANC Locks Guidelines (WG 206). Eight Dutch working group members will share their knowledge, experiences and insights from the guidelines.

During the workshop, the working group members will explore the key topics covered in the Locks Guidelines and how they relate to one another, each drawing on their own area of expertise and involvement. They will highlight interesting practical examples and notable insights, while also sharing what they personally gained from contributing to the development of the guidelines.

Topics will include general lock design, civil structures, lock gates, operations and maintenance, hydraulics, salinity control, and the challenges of replacement and renovation.

Sharing knowledge and exchanging experiences

In addition to the presentations, there will be plenty of opportunities for questions, discussion and knowledge exchange. How can the insights from the international Locks Guidelines be applied in Dutch practice? And what lessons can we learn from the experiences of the working group members?

The following Dutch members of WG 206 are expected to contribute to the workshop:

• Erwin Pechtold – Rijkswaterstaat

• Jean-Pierre Dubbelman – Aquater

• Menno Nagelhout – Rijkswaterstaat

• Maarten Booij – Haskoning

• Bart Noordman – Rijkswaterstaat

• Pieter van Lierop – Iv-Infra

• Tom O’Mahoney – Deltares

• Henry Tuin – Arcadis

Programme

12:30 | Registration and welcome

13:00 | Session 1

• Introduction, general aspects and planning a new navigation lock

• Lock operation, control and management

• Challenges for the coming years: maintenance, renovation and replacement

14:30 | Break

14:45 | Session 2

• Lock types, dimensions, civil and structural design, and construction methods

• Lock gates and operating mechanisms

15:45 | Break

16:00 | Session 3

• Hydraulics, water saving and salt intrusion control

• Case study: hydraulic loads caused by water flow around rolling gates

17:00 | Networking drinks

18:00 | End of workshop

Practical information

Date: Wednesday 25 November 2026
Time: 12:30–18:00, including networking drinks
Location: PSOR Café, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences (CiTG), Delft University of Technology (TU Delft)

Registration

Would you like to learn more about the insights from the Locks Guidelines, exchange experiences and connect with fellow professionals? Register for the workshop by sending an email to sec-pianc@deltares.nl.