PIANC is a technical and scientific, apolitical, non-profit, worldwide organization, conformed by representatives of national governments, corporations and individual members.

This organization aims to promote inland and maritime navigation, helping to develop planning, design, construction, improvement, maintenance and operation of channels and inland/maritime ports and coastal areas, both in developing and underdeveloped countries.

PIANC was founded in 1885 and it is the most prestigious and the eldest International association concerned to navigation technical aspects.

It has made –and keeps on making- remarkable contributions to technical developments in the various fields of navigation. This organization has members in more than 60 countries, including more than 450 corporate members and more than 2000 individual members.

A total of 21 countries have conformed national sections, which are currently recognised and that help promoting interaction between PIANC Headquarters and its members around the World.