Working with DEME, he is head of Engineering and Technology of DEME Hypo rt Energy. He is also President of the Belgian Federation of Dredging Companies.

DEME is a platinum member of PIANC, and is a leading contractor in offshore energy, environmental remediation, dredging and marine infrastructure. DEME also engages in concession activities in offshore wind, marine infrastructure, green hydrogen, and deep-sea mineral harvesting. The company can build on more than 145 years of experience and is a front-runner in innovation and new technologies.

Didier Bousmar is head of the Hydraulic Research Laboratory of the Service Public de Wallonie Mobilite & Infrastructures, in charge of all expertise related to hydraulic works and nautical issues on the Walloon waterways network. He is also an invited lecturer at Universite catholique de Louvain. With almost 30 years of experience, he took part in the works of 3 INCOM WG. He is strongly involved in scientific associations: the organiser of the Conference River Flow 2002 within IAHR, past Vice­President of IAHR European Division (2003-2009), currently vice-chair of PIANC Belgium national board.

General Manager Waterwegen en Zeekanaal nv. (2014 -2018), Flemish Government – Cabinet of the Flemish Minister of Mobility and Public Works – Deputy Chief of Staff for Public Works (2009 – 2014), Flemish Government -Cabinet of the Flemish Minister for the Environment, Nature, Public Works and Energy – Advisor for Waterways, Coast and Airports (2004 – 2009), AWZ/department Maritime Access – engineer Scheldehavens – Port of Ghent (2000 -2004), AWZ/department of Waterways and Coast -project engineer(l997 – 2000)

Filip Van de Wiele – Operations manager at DEME-group

With over 18 years of experience in dredging and maritime operations, Filip is passioned about the marine world. He has contributed to a wide range of complex projects, initially across the Benelux and more recently in international project environments. His work has a strong focus on operational excellence, cross‑cultural teamwork, and sustainable project delivery. As previous YP-delegate and current membership in PIANC’s working groups, he bridges the gap between experienced industry leaders and the next generation of maritime professionals.

Professionally active as process manager for the New Lock Zeebrugge (within the Department of Mobility & Public Works, Flemish Government). Within the Belgian Section of PIANC, he has been a board member and secretary since 2015, a member of the LOC for the PIANC BTV 2015 in Ghent (BE) and a member of the LOC for the PIANC AGA 2016 in Bruges(BE).

Jan Goemaere is a Belgian civil engineer with a long track record in the field of maritime infrastructure and port development. Throughout his career, he has specialised in the nautical accessibility of ports and the development of sustainable maritime infrastructure.

He began his career with the Flemish Government, where he spent twenty years working within the Department of Mobility and Public Works. During this period, he contributed to projects aimed at improving maritime access to the Flemish seaports of Ostend and Zeebrugge, focusing on dam construction, lock renovations and the expansion of basic infrastructure.

Since 2021, he has been applying his expertise at Port of Antwerp-Bruges, where, as port Infrastructure Manager, he is responsible for infrastructure projects in Zeebrugge. In this role, he contributes to the further development and management of the port infrastructure that is essential for international maritime logistics.

In addition to his professional activities, he is also involved in international knowledge networks. For example, he is secretary of PIANC Belgium, the Belgian branch of PIANC. 

BESIX Group, established in 1909, has grown into a multidisciplinary company with a leading position in its markets: construction, property development and concessions. BESIX Group is active both in Belgium and internationally in all activity fields covered by PIANC. Jean Polet has been a member of the Board of the Belgian Section of PIANC since 2012, and he sits on the board of several professional organizations active in the world of construction in Belgium.

Maxime Van Beveren, construction engineer, working for the Port Authority, Port of Antwerp-Bruges. As Project Manager she is responsible for several maritime infrastructure projects in Antwerp