The port industry in Latin America and the Caribbean now has a new call for entries to recognize best practices, projects, and initiatives that are transforming maritime and port operations in the region. The American Association of Port Authorities for Latin America and the Caribbean (AAPA LATAM) and the Secretariat of the Inter-American Committee on Ports of the Organization of American States (CIP-OAS) launched the fifth edition of the Port Industry Excellence Award , a prize that seeks to distinguish ports, terminals, and operators that have achieved outstanding results through innovation, efficiency, and strategic collaboration.

The call for proposals comes at a time when ports play a fundamental role in the regional economy, handling over 95% of the hemisphere’s exports. In this context, the award aims to highlight projects that strengthen logistical competitiveness and contribute to the economic and social development of the region’s countries.

For the 2026 edition, the award includes three categories considered key to the future of the port sector. The first focuses on Technology and Innovation , aimed at organizations that have incorporated advanced technological tools to optimize processes and improve their operational performance. The second, Port Performance and Growth , recognizes initiatives capable of demonstrating operational improvements with tangible and verifiable economic impacts. Finally, the Public-Private Partnerships category seeks to recognize intersectoral cooperation schemes that promote the sustainable development of port activity.

The structure of this call for proposals reflects the main trends currently shaping the international port agenda. The digitization of processes, the pursuit of greater operational efficiency, and the integration of public and private stakeholders have become key factors in increasing the competitiveness and resilience of logistics chains.

Participating projects will be evaluated using a set of criteria that consider efficiency and operational capacity indicators , as well as the economic benefits generated by the initiatives and their potential to trigger positive effects on local economies. The projects’ contribution to trade facilitation and how they strengthen cooperation with other actors in the maritime and logistics industry will also be analyzed.

In addition to operational and economic aspects, the award incorporates a comprehensive vision that considers elements of environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and inclusion. In this regard, actions related to environmental protection will be valued , as well as strategies that promote equity and the participation of diverse groups within the industry, including initiatives with a gender perspective.

With this, AAPA LATAM and the CIP-OEA seek to consolidate a reference standard to identify and disseminate success stories that contribute to strengthening the hemispheric port system, at a time when infrastructure modernization and the adoption of new technologies are decisive factors to maintain competitiveness in the face of an increasingly demanding commercial environment.

The winners of the 2026 edition will be recognized during the AAPA LATAM 2026 Annual Congress , considered one of the leading gatherings of the port industry in the Americas, which will take place from December 1 to 4 in Antigua, Guatemala. In addition to the awards ceremony, the selected projects will gain regional visibility through the institutional channels of both organizations.

The call for applications will remain open until July 8, and the results will be announced on July 30. The organizing bodies aim to encourage the participation of ports and terminals throughout the hemisphere to share experiences that will contribute to the development of a strategic industry for the economic and commercial integration of Latin America and the Caribbean.

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A delegation from the Latin American division of the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA Latino) , led by its president, Juan Duarte, is currently on a working tour of the main port cities in Latin America . The most recent visit was concentrated in Panamanian territory, with representatives of PSA Panama.

Strategically located at the Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal, the terminal efficiently connects the world’s main markets , boosting global trade and positioning Panama as a world-class logistics center.

Juan Duarte expressed his satisfaction with the visit to the port and described it as enriching. Enrique Piqueras, general manager, and Any Rodríguez, commercial manager, were present on behalf of PSA Panama.

Regarding the terminal projects, Juan Duarte highlighted the development of human talent that is managed and promoted by PSA Panama. Based on their E-FISH-NCY strategy focused on continuous improvement, “they have achieved great productivity for the interior of the terminal and a positive impact on the country’s logistics chain. Their commitment to a master security plan is quite interesting, along with their digitalization and automation strategy that they are carrying out, which brings with it great productive efficiencies,” Duarte commented, quoted in a press release.

It is worth noting that the terminal has been promoting the human development of local talent for some time. Recently, PSA Panama renewed its agreement with the National Institute of Professional Training and Capacity Building for Human Development for the training of port workers. Regarding investment, the terminal has accumulated more than 600 million dollars, as well as the generation of 900 direct jobs and more than 100 indirect jobs.

Representatives of AAPA Latam presented the guidelines and strategies of the “Renacer AAPA Latinoamérica” plan , where they also indicated the opportunities for development and innovation that may arise from the collaboration between the association and the terminals.

For Duarte, this tour of Latin America is vital for the organization’s work. “We traveled to five countries on the continent, 10 cities, visited and spoke with more than 30 key authorities and port terminals in the sector. With all this networking, we also began to prepare, together with Zulma Dinelli, our AAPA Latam 2025 event, to be held next year in Lima, Peru. I can only thank the reception, the welcome of AAPA Latam’s new strategy and the desire to commit to this new way of working on the part of the main players in the industry,” he said.

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