XX COPINAVAL – Pan-American Congress of Naval Engineering, Maritime Transportation and Port Engineering

It constituted one of the most important technical and scientific gatherings of the maritime and naval sector in Latin America in 2007. The congress took place between October 22 and 26, 2007, at the Hotel Transamérica in São Paulo, Brazil, organized by the Pan-American Institute of Naval Engineering (IPIN) and the Department of Naval and Oceanic Engineering of the University of São Paulo (USP), under the presidency of Professor Rui Carlos Botter.

The event had a Pan-American scope and brought together naval engineers, port engineers, specialists in maritime transport, logistics, shipbuilding, ocean engineering, as well as representatives from academic institutions, governments, navies, and private companies from Latin America, the United States, Portugal, and Spain. Its main objective was to promote the exchange of scientific and technological knowledge, the presentation of technical research, and the discussion of operational, economic, and political challenges in the maritime and port sectors.

The XX COPINAVAL coincided with a strategic period for the Brazilian naval industry. At that time, Brazil was undergoing a phase of reactivation and modernization of its naval sector driven by the Growth Acceleration Program (PAC) launched by the federal government, which foresaw the construction of 42 new vessels by domestic shipyards and aimed to reposition the Brazilian naval industry among the world's most prominent. In this context, the congress became a vital platform for debating the country's production capacity, new market opportunities, and technological developments applied to maritime transport and port infrastructure.

The congress featured a robust organizational and scientific structure composed of specialists from various countries. Participants included representatives from universities, technology centers, and international organizations, alongside professionals tied to the naval and offshore industries. The scientific committee gathered experts from institutions such as the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), the Institute for Technological Research (IPT), Petrobras, and IPIN itself, with delegates from countries such as Panama, Cuba, Colombia, Mexico, and Chile.

The event received approximately 250 scientific abstracts for evaluation. Following a thorough technical peer-review process, 141 scientific papers were selected and published in the official proceedings of the congress. Research topics covered various areas of naval and maritime engineering, including shipbuilding, hydrodynamics, maritime logistics, ports, inland waterway transport, offshore structures, maritime safety, computational simulation, naval maintenance, and military projects. In addition to the technical sessions, seven keynote lectures were delivered by renowned industry experts.

In parallel with XX COPINAVAL, significant complementary events took place. One of them was the IV Ibero-American Congress of Naval Engineers, which strengthened academic and professional cooperation between Latin America, Portugal, and Spain. The IX SYMMEDUC – Symposium on Naval Engineering Education was also held, initiating discussions on establishing a unified curriculum for naval engineering education across Latin America. Another event of great relevance was the X SYMMISSEL – Pan-American Symposium on Design and Construction of Military Vessels, organized by the Brazilian Navy, which gathered specialists in naval defense technology, weaponry, and maritime logistics.

One of the innovative aspects of the congress was the first Pan-American paper competition for undergraduate students in the final years of naval engineering programs. Each participating country presented a paper defended directly by the student author. The student representative from Chile awarded first place, followed by Brazil and Colombia, strengthening academic integration and fostering scientific research among young engineers.

XX COPINAVAL also featured external technical activities and professional visits. Attendees took part in technical visits to the Port of Santos, recognized as the largest port in Latin America, as well as maritime terminals, shipyards, and specialized technology centers. Highlighted visits included the Wilson Sons shipyard, the Santos Brasil and T-37 terminals, the Institute for Technological Research (IPT), and facilities associated with the development of the Brazilian nuclear submarine program.

Concurrently with the congress, the MARINEXPO trade fair was held—an international exhibition that brought together shipping companies, shipyards, port terminals, maritime equipment manufacturers, classification societies, universities, and research centers. The primary aim of the fair was to foster business relationships, technological transfer, and integration between supply and demand in the maritime sector. Participating institutions and companies included Transpetro, American Bureau of Shipping, Damen Shipyards, Germanischer Lloyd, CMA CGM, as well as various academic and technological organizations.

Military participation was also prominent. The Brazilian Navy and Emgepron maintained a significant presence, joined by naval delegations from Colombia, Chile, Peru, and Argentina. More than 30 foreign military delegates participated in the technical and strategic activities of the congress, reinforcing the international and geopolitical dimension of the gathering.

In statistical terms, the event convened over one thousand participants among delegates, exhibitors, speakers, press, and trade fair visitors. Approximately 714 people attended the congress and the naval management workshop directly, while the MARINEXPO fair welcomed around 1,070 visitors. Brazil registered the largest delegation, followed by representatives from Chile, Ecuador, Spain, Peru, Cuba, and other American and European nations.

Finally, XX COPINAVAL reaffirmed the historical role of the Pan-American Institute of Naval Engineering, founded in 1966 with the support of international maritime organizations and the Brazilian Navy. Since its inception, the congress has established itself as one of the main Pan-American forums dedicated to the scientific, technological, and strategic advancement of naval engineering, maritime transport, and port engineering across the continent.