The development of Latin American ports requires addressing three complementary fronts: strengthening their capabilities, incorporating sustainability criteria, and training the personnel who support their operations. Based on these principles, the American Association of Port Authorities for Latin America and the Caribbean (AAPA LATAM) announced the winners of the 2026 Legacy Awards , which will be presented during its regional congress in Guatemala.
In this edition, Portos do Paraná won the “Engineer Valentín Morán” Port Development Award, a category that focuses on strengthening port activity and capabilities in the region.
For its part, the National Ports Administration of Uruguay was distinguished with the “Agustín Díaz” Sustainable Development Award, while Terminales Portuarios Euroandinos Paita SA received the “Armando Duarte Peláez” Human Capital Development Award.
The three awards seek to recognize institutional and business initiatives that contribute to the transformation of the maritime and port sector in Latin America and the Caribbean. According to AAPA LATAM, the purpose is to highlight best practices whose value transcends operational results and strengthens the institutional, environmental, and human capacities of organizations.
The recognition also extended to other companies through honorable mentions. In Port Development, the distinction went to Sociedad Puerto Industrial Aguadulce SA ; in Sustainable Development, to Portonave S/A – Terminais Portuários de Navegantes ; and in Human Capital Development, to Brasil Terminal Portuário (BTP) .
With these mentions, the association seeks to broaden the dissemination of continuous improvement efforts taking place in the region, as well as to foster the exchange of experiences between organizations with different conditions and operational needs.
The official ceremony will take place during the AAPA LATAM 2026 Congress , to be held from December 1-4 in Guatemala. The event will bring together authorities, executives, and representatives from the port and maritime industry of Latin America and the Caribbean , and will serve as a forum to recognize outstanding organizations and share best practices.
The awards ceremony is part of an agenda that emphasizes the need for infrastructure investments to be accompanied by environmental responsibility and professional training. From this perspective, the categories recognize complementary dimensions: expanding port capacity also requires skilled personnel and strategies to ensure its sustainable development over time.
AAPA LATAM linked this edition of the Legacy Awards to its objectives of competitiveness, innovation, and sustainability , as well as to its work in regional coordination and cooperation. The exchange of recognized experiences can provide valuable insights for other ports; learning about their projects and results will allow for a better understanding of their contribution to addressing industry challenges.
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