Waterfront Facilities Inspection and Assessment–Manual of Practice No. 130: Major Changes & Updates

Abstract: The ASCE Manual of Practice Number 130, Waterfront Facilities Inspection and Assessment (MOP 130) was first published in 2015. This publication at the time advanced the base of knowledge in the industry, unified the standard approach for waterfront inspections, and has been a best-selling text through ASCE publications. Now ten years after the original publication, the industry has seen advances in materials, such as the widespread use of composites, as well as new technologies to map, scan, and inventory structures. The continuing rise in costs for material, construction labor, and facility downtime further underscores the need for a robust and updated manual for inspectors to more efficiently document damage to existing waterfront infrastructure and better estimate their remaining service life.

At the PORTS 2022 Conference in Honolulu, an interested group gathered to discuss needed updates to the Waterfront Facilities Inspection and Assessment Manual, MOP 130. The updates evolved to include inspection guidelines for new materials now prevalent in waterfront construction and to reflect both operational and technological changes within the industry. Over the past three years, a committee of over fifty members collaborated and have now completed the second edition of MOP 130, planned to be available at the 2025 Conference in Providence. With these improvements, the manual will continue to serve as a valuable reference for managing waterfront infrastructure for engineers, owners, and operators alike.

This paper will present an overview of the manual, highlighting the many updates and improvements introduced in the new edition of MOP 130.

How does this project / topic contribute to the advancement of the industry and profession?: • Advances the body of knowledge related to waterfront facility inspection and assessment.
• Provides a summary of state-of-the-art techniques and best practices to owners, operators, and engineers for conducting waterfront inspections.

Does the project / topic implement new and innovative techniques, materials, technologies, and delivery methods?: Yes, the updated manual includes the state of the practice for assessing new materials and describes new technologies/techniques for the evaluation and mapping of facilities.

What was the most challenging aspect of your project / topic and how did you handle it to ensure success?: The major update to the manual included the collaboration of over fifty industry professionals, requiring the committee to develop a true consensus across multiple fields of expertise. This approach has led to unique information that is invaluable to the industry.

Who is the target audience for this paper?: Owners, engineers, and facility operators.