September 16, 2026 — The Association of Pacific Ports (APP) has officially launched its new Engineering Technical Committee. Operating under the direct oversight and governance of the APP’s Executive Committee, this newly chartered body will be charged with providing technical leadership, foster knowledge transfer, and collaborate on authoritative engineering guidelines regarding the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of waterfront facilities The Committee’s efforts will help APP continue to drive sustainable infrastructure development, automate supply chains, and build climate resilience across Pacific maritime hubs.
Led by APP President Kirk DeJesus, APP proudly establishes the Engineering Technical Committee to bridge a crucial gap for Pacific maritime hubs by providing a dedicated technical platform where commissioners, port authorities, and engineering professionals can share emerging technologies, best practices, and lessons learned. “Ports across the Pacific face many of the same infrastructure challenges,” said APP President Kirk DeJesus. “This Committee will bring technical experts together to share practical knowledge and help our member ports become stronger, more resilient, and better prepared for the future.”
Committee Chair – Bill Dubbs, PE
Steering this ambitious initiative as Committee Chair is Bill Dubbs, PE, a veteran waterfront infrastructure engineer with over two decades of engineering leadership and global technical experience in maritime structural engineering, port planning, and terminal modernization.
Currently serving as the Waterfront Infrastructure Leader at Black & Veatch, Dubbs brings deep expertise in complex, multi-agency projects in support of the maritime industry. He recently served as the U.S. Principal Representative to the PIANC Maritime Navigation Commission Working Group 224 and as contributing author to the newly published second edition of ASCE Manual of Practice 130 – Waterfront Facilities Inspection and Assessment. Under the committee’s charter, Dubbs will oversee the committee’s quarterly technical sessions and head its reporting directly to the APP Board of Directors.
Core Technical Directives
Governed by its official Terms of Reference, the committee will gather multidisciplinary experts to focus on several primary activities:
- Technical Publications: Developing design guides and manuals of practice covering electrification, facility inspection, rehabilitation, and structural design upgrades for berth structures and cargo handling equipment (CHE).
- Resilience & Climate Adaptation: Identifying and disseminating engineering strategies to mitigate the impacts of sea-level rise, extreme storm surges, wave mechanics, seismic activity, and corrosion.
- Knowledge Dissemination: Sponsoring dedicated technical tracks, short courses, and workshops at major APP conferences to bridge the gap between evolving engineering practices and port management teams.
Industry Representation and Recruitment
To ensure comprehensive representation, the committee’s roster will target a balanced mix of engineering and scientific expertise, including port employees, private marine consultants, terminal operators, and marine contractors.
The committee is actively seeking eligible candidates. To qualify, applicants must be practicing professional engineers, technicians, or scientists with a minimum of 5 years of demonstrated expertise in port, harbor, or coastal engineering, alongside maintaining active membership in the APP.
About the Association of Pacific Ports (APP)
The Association of Pacific Ports is a trade association dedicated to promoting increased efficiency and effectiveness of Pacific ports through fellowship, information sharing, and professional development. Encompassing an expansive geography, the APP connects major global shipping hubs with essential remote gateway infrastructure across the United States, Canada, and the Pacific Rim.
For more information about the Engineering Technical Committee, contact Bill Dubbs (DubbsB@bv.com); or to inquire about membership opportunities, please visit pacificports.org or contact Jane McIvor (jane@pacificports.org).
Contact:
Jane McIvor
Executive Director
Association of Pacific Ports (APP)
+1 604-893-8800
jane@pacificports.org
www.pacificports.org
