The fifth edition of the AAPA LATAM-CIP OAS 2026 Port Industry Excellence Awards recognized projects that promote innovation, operational performance, and collaboration between the public and private sectors in ports across the Americas. The awards, organized by AAPA LATAM and the Secretariat of the Inter-American Committee on Ports (CIP) of the Organization of American States (OAS) , aim to highlight initiatives that strengthen sustainable development and port competitiveness in the Americas.
In this edition, Puerto Ventanas SA , from Chile, received recognition in the Port Performance and Growth category , while APM Terminals Lázaro Cárdenas , in Mexico, was distinguished in Technology and Innovation for the initiatives presented to strengthen the efficiency and modernization of its operations. Meanwhile, DP World Ecuador Posorja received the top award in the Public-Private Partnerships category .
“This recognition reflects the dedication, experience, and collaboration of our team, whose efforts continue to drive operational excellence, strengthen supply chains, and set new standards of innovation in the port and logistics industry,” APM Terminals Mexico said in a press release.
The organizers of the awards noted that the proposals evaluated reflect the commitment of the region’s ports to the continuous improvement of their processes, the incorporation of innovative solutions , and the development of projects that generate value for the logistics chains and the economies of their countries.
In addition to the winners, the jury decided to award honorable mentions due to the high quality of the submissions received. In the Port Performance and Growth category, the Port Terminal of Manta , in Ecuador, was recognized; in Technology and Innovation, ANP Comunicación Uruguay for its Electric Ferry project; and in Public-Private Partnerships, the National Port System Administration (Asipona) Progreso , in Mexico, was awarded.
AAPA LATAM and the CIP-OAS Secretariat highlighted that the award-winning initiatives stood out for their potential impact on port development in the Americas , as well as for the quality of the projects presented and their contribution to strengthening competitiveness, innovation and regional cooperation.
The awards will be presented during the official awards ceremony held as part of the AAPA LATAM 2026 Congress in Guatemala , scheduled for December 1-4. The event will bring together representatives from the region’s maritime and port industry to analyze the main challenges and opportunities facing the sector, as well as to recognize best practices driving the transformation of the continent’s ports.
APM Terminals accelerates its commitment to Mexico
The recognition for APM Terminals Lázaro Cárdenas comes months after the company completed Phase II of the expansion of its specialized container terminal in the Michoacán port and announced the advancement of Phase III , a project backed by a $350 million investment that was originally planned to be executed towards the end of the decade.
With this new phase, the company seeks to strengthen the facility’s logistics capacity and consolidate Lázaro Cárdenas as one of the main hubs on the Mexican Pacific coast for international trade. The expansion is part of a strategy focused on higher-capacity infrastructure, automation, electrification, and decarbonization, in a context of growing demand stemming from the reconfiguration of global supply chains and nearshoring .
Progress advances in its port expansion
The honorable mention obtained by Asipona Progreso coincides with the progress of the expansion and modernization program of the Yucatecan port , one of the most important port infrastructure projects currently being developed in the country.
At the end of July, work began on filling the first of two platforms that make up the third phase of a 12.5 billion peso investment plan , which seeks to significantly increase the operational area of the facility.
The project began with deepening the navigation channel, increasing its depth from 11.75 to 13.30 meters , a feature that will allow for the accommodation of larger vessels. The second phase, focused on extending the docks to 450 meters in length, is currently underway, while the third phase involves the construction of two new platforms under the direction of the Mexican Navy .
Once these works are completed, the port will strengthen its capacity to attract new maritime routes and handle a greater volume of cargo in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean, as well as expand its connectivity with southeastern Mexico and markets such as the United States and Cuba. The project’s execution is the result of coordination between the Mexican government, the government of Yucatán, and the Mexican Navy, in a strategy aimed at enhancing the region’s logistical competitiveness.
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