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How does the company see the future
of maritime works? What will the next
challenge be?
The future of on-shore maritime works will
be determined by the market, basically by
the evolution of demand resulting from glo-
bal commerce, as well as by the capacity
and adaptability of existing infrastructure
to address future demand. From the pers-
pective of sustainability and minimising the
environmental impact, the main priority will
always be to boost the infrastructure availa-
ble in order to achieve optimal productivity.
Doing this requires prioritising specialist ter-
minals over general purpose ones.
In any case, the evolution of the projects
will focus on the basic priorities of each
geographical region, with works in the in-
terior of the harbour basins in places where
there is an excess of sheltered water, such
as in Spain, or larger draughts in natural
harbours that have exceeded their capacity
such as in America. A new common field for
all geographical areas will be the construc-
tion of small Liquefied Natural Gas termi-
nals and the adaptation of current facilities
for bunkering to meet market demand.
What is the focus of R+D+i at FCC
Construcción?
R+D+i at FCC Construcción is focused on
improving the company’s competitiveness.
In the field of maritime works, the aims are
basically centred on technology related to
floating reinforced concrete caissons. In
this regard, emphasis can be placed on
two key lines. On one hand improving their
performance and functional conditions with
the aim of expanding their applicability to
a wider range of situations On the other
hand, reducing construction-related risks
and managing information on the maritime
climate in order to reduce the risk of ac-
cidents and increase the reliability of ope-
rations. In executing R+D+i projects, the
Company counts with the collaboration of
engineering companies, universities, and
technological institutes that are renowned
worldwide.
What projects and innovative solutions
is the Company working on?
We have just finished the IISIS project
(Comprehensive Research on Sustainable
Islands) in which we have made progress
on new marine construction technology
and the dynamic interaction between wa-
ves and structures, including the generation
of wave energy, as well as on sustainable
modular building technology. We are cu-
rrently working on the DOVICAIM Project
(Methodology for the design and optimisa-
tion of the lifecycle of caissons in maritime
infrastructure), on which Environmental Hy-
draulics Institute of Cantabria. This project
is geared towards generating knowledge
and analytical tools of the different cons-
truction phases of floating reinforced con-
crete caissons.
What is PIANC?
PIANC is the “World Association for Wa-
terborne Transport Infrastructure”, which
is the global reference technical organi-
sation for ports and navigation channels,
both river and maritime. In addition to its
management bodies it has four Technical
Commissions: Maritime (MarCom), Inland
Navigation (InCom), Recreational Naviga-
tion (RecCom) and Environmental (Envi-
Com). The commissions set up working
groups formed by world standard spe-
cialists in technical areas. These working
groups release publications that serve as
the main global reference for port and wa-
terway engineering.
What is your role at PIANC?
Since May 2011, I have held the position
of Chairperson of the Maritime Commission
(MarCom), which is responsible for mariti-
me ports and navigation channels. In June
2015, I also took the chair of the Technical
Association of Ports and Coasts (ATPYC)
which, as I previously stated, serves as the
Spanish Section of PIANC.
How does PIANC contribute to FCC?
First, it entails an active presence in terms
of management, as Chairperson of the Ma-
ritime Commission, in selecting issues to
address, in creating and developing wor-
king groups and producing benchmark
technical publications that are published
by PIANC. It facilitates direct access to the
most current technical topics from the mo-
ment they are selected to be studied to the
publication of results, whilst maintaining a
strong presence throughout their develop-
ment. It guarantees access to future tech-
nological trends and challenges.
The global technical scope thanks to PIANC
enables FCC Construcción to be recogni-
sed as a benchmark company in maritime
work technology by potential clients, lea-
ding engineering companies in the market
and labs, universities and prestigious tech-
nological institutes across five continents.
It also promotes FCC’s skills and highlights
its technical expertise and commitment to
excellence. It also involves tapping into the
expertise of prospective partners and their
skills in the construction, engineering and
technology sectors to participate in tenders
and other globally renowned calls for pro-
posals.