The Brazilian Society of Marine Engineering (SOBENA) was founded in the beginning of the modern phase of Brazilian naval construction, in 1962, March 15th, with the aim of bringing together engineers, technicians and other professionals involved in the following activities: • shipbuilding and ship repair • design and other engineering services • maritime transportation • river transportation • waterways • ports • specialized cargo terminals • ocean and river transportation economics • marine environmental protection • offshore support bases • offshore logistics • naval aspects of offshore exploration and production • construction and conversion of platforms and other offshore vessels SOBENA is a non-profit civil society, declared a federal public utility by Decree No. 97589/89 and Municipal by Law 3037/00, which since its foundation is aimed at promoting technological development in the above activities through courses, conferences, seminars, lectures and debates. SOBENA is a source of reference called upon to provide its opinion on matters of public interest and has also been politically active, expressing its views concerning topics of national relevance related to its areas of activity. Adress: Av. Presidente Vargas, 542 / 709-713 20071-000 Rio de Janeiro - RJ Brazil Telephone: [+55] (21) 2283-2482 Telefax: [+55] (21) 2263-9079 E-mail: sobena@sobena.org.br