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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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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The Secretariat of the Inter-American Committee on Ports (CIP) of the Organization of American States (OAS) announced the winners of the 2026 Maritime Award of the Americas.  This award, established in 2014, recognizes institutions and leaders who are driving a more competitive , sustainable, and secure port system throughout the continent. Michelle Scipio-Hosang was also named Outstanding Woman in the Port and Maritime Sector 2026 .

In this twelfth edition, held under the theme ” Recognizing Outstanding Port Management ,” the jury analyzed a total of 30 applications from eleven different nations . The selected projects demonstrated a commitment to innovation and leadership, meeting the highest standards of efficiency and regional replicability.

The Port of São Francisco do Sul , located in Brazil, won the award in the Green Initiatives in Ports and Terminals category. The recognition is due to its sustainable dredging practices, which have significantly reduced the environmental footprint of its daily operations.

In the Digital Transformation category, Barbados Port Inc. (BPI) was the winner for its advanced Port Community System . This national tool has optimized the transparency and agility of services, thereby increasing Barbados’ competitiveness in the international logistics market.

Finally, in the Port Security and Risk Management category, the National Port Commission (CPN) of Guatemala was the winner . The authority was recognized for its excellence in Risk Management, strengthening the physical protection of its terminals and ensuring operational continuity in the face of emerging threats.

Scipio-Hosang was also recognized with the 2026 Maritime Award of the Americas. With a 26-year career at National Energy of Trinidad and Tobago , she is a pioneer, being the first female naval engineer in her country . Under her leadership as Vice President of Port Management, the company increased its market share in towing services from 25% to a robust 75%.

Furthermore, he led a historic financial expansion, going from revenues of 18 million to more than 160 million Trinidad and Tobago dollars.

Beyond the numbers, Scipio-Hosang’s work was outstanding for her promotion of gender equality in a traditionally male-dominated industry . Currently, half of the management positions in her division are held by women, whom she has mentored since their cadet days.

The winners will receive their official award during the Fourteenth Ordinary Meeting of the CIP , which will take place in Bridgetown, Barbados, in June 2026. This event will serve as a platform to disseminate best practices and foster technical cooperation among the ports of the Hemisphere.

*The photo shows the winners of the Digital Transformation category. Credit: Barbados Port Inc. (BPI) Facebook page.

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With the aim of strengthening intercontinental cooperation in the maritime-port sector, the new edition of the Port Leaders Mission 2026 will take place from April 20 to 24, with the participation of port leaders and executives from companies in the sector across Latin America. The itinerary will include Madrid, Valencia, Tarragona, and Barcelona in Spain.

The initiative is organized by PR PORTS and Maritime Policy Bureau , and is supported by the Inter-American Committee on Ports of the Organization of American States (CIP/OAS) . The program is designed as a forum for meeting, dialogue, and generating opportunities, focused on creating strategic alliances and exchanging best practices to address the challenges facing the sector.

The work areas will address topics such as innovation applied to the port system, energy transition, sustainability, governance, and territorial development . Likewise, emphasis will be placed on collaboration models, process improvement, operational efficiency, and alignment with the new international standards that are shaping the global agenda of this industry.

The delegation, which will be received by authorities from State Ports and the host ports, will participate in networking sessions and conduct technical visits to port facilities and development centers. The objective is to transform knowledge into concrete actions and foster professional exchange .

The program includes technical visits, training workshops, working lunches, a welcome cocktail reception, and an official dinner. The organizers are working in coordination with port authorities to finalize the agenda , which is available at this link . Space is limited, and those interested can register in advance by clicking here .

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The Secretariat of the Inter-American Committee on Ports (CIP) of the Organization of American States (OAS) announced yesterday the winners of the 2025 Maritime Prize of the Americas , an award that recognizes outstanding contributions and successful practices in the maritime and port sectors of the Hemisphere that demonstrate excellence, innovation, leadership, sustainability, and replicability.

In this eleventh edition of the award, under the theme “Recognizing Outstanding Port Management ,” the judging committee received 19 applications from eight countries in the Americas, which demonstrated a commitment to excellence in their operations, promoting comprehensive port development in their countries and the region.

The following are the winners of the 2025 Maritime Americas Award:

• Disaster Risk Management: Manta Port Terminal – Ecuador, recognized for its successful practices, strengthening institutional capacities for disaster risk management and reducing the impact of natural and man-made disasters on ports.
• Green Management and Port Sustainability: Portonave SA Terminals Portuários de Navegantes – Brazil, recognized for its successful practices in sustainable port management, which reduce the negative impact on the environment and transform operations toward more sustainable management.
• Port-City Relationship: APORDOM and Haina International Terminal (HIT) – Dominican Republic, recognized for their successful practices that mutually promote the economic and cultural prosperity of the port and the city and bring concrete benefits to the community.

Puerto Ventanas , Chile, receives an honorable mention in the Green Management and Port Sustainability category and JAPDEVA , Costa Rica, receives an honorable mention in the Port-City Relationship category .

The CIP Maritime Americas Award also recognized Daniela Pinheiro Monteiro Santana, Executive Director of OGMOSA (Port Labor Management Body of the Ports of Salvador and Aratu), Brazil, as the 2025 Outstanding Woman in the Port and Maritime Sector for her leadership, achievements, and contributions to the development of the port sector in Brazil and the region.

With more than two decades of experience in the sector, she began her career at OGMOSA in 2000 as an administrative assistant and, over the years, rose to leadership positions, demonstrating a deep understanding of port operations. In her current position, one of her main goals is to promote the participation of women in leadership positions, especially in port work directly involved in operations.

The Maritime Americas Award promotes the development of competitive, safe, sustainable, and inclusive ports with efficient operations, low environmental impact, and that bring prosperity to the societies in which they operate.

Since its launch in 2014, the award has been organized by the CIP Secretariat in collaboration with strategic partners such as the Latin American Society of Marine Oil Terminal and Mooring Operators (SLOM) , the North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA) , the OAS Department of Sustainable Development (DSD) , and the OAS Inter-American Commission of Women (CIM) .

The CIP Maritime Award of the Americas is open to national port authorities, public and private ports, terminals, port operators, and maritime organizations from the 34 CIP-OAS member states.

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Established as the region’s most relevant training and visibility program for women leaders, LIFE – Female Leadership for the Maritime-Port Sector – announced its fourth edition, which will take place from March 17 to 20, 2026, in Panama City. Organized by PR PORTS and MULTIMODAL , this regional gathering has become a strategic space to promote talent, equity, and innovation within a historically masculinized industry, but one undergoing rapid transformation.

Since its creation in 2023, LIFE has trained more than 150 professionals from 16 Latin American countries. Today, these professionals form a network of women with technical, executive, and operational profiles, generating a multiplier effect within their organizations. The program combines high-level training, mentoring, collaborative leadership, and a cross-cutting gender perspective , aiming not only at the individual growth of its participants but also at the institutional strengthening of the companies and institutions that support them.

Each LIFE program represents a turning point: not only for those who participate, but also for the maritime and port ecosystem as a whole. The program has demonstrated that investing in the development of women leaders generates concrete returns in terms of operational efficiency, organizational culture, talent retention, and sustainability.

LIFE 2026 is aimed at professional women working in ports, terminals, shipping companies, maritime agencies, logistics companies, public and multilateral organizations, business chambers, and technical training centers. It also calls on companies, institutions, and governments to join as strategic partners, strengthening their commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) , especially those related to gender equality (SDG 5), decent work (SDG 8), and partnerships for development (SDG 17).

The program has the active support of key entities such as the Network of Women of Maritime Authorities of Latin America (Red MAMLa) , the Inter-American Commission on Ports (CIP-OAS) , the Central American Commission on Maritime Transport (COCATRAM) , the State Ports of Spain , the Panama Canal Authority and a growing network of international organizations, which reflects its regional reach and legitimacy.

Registration for LIFE 2026 is now open.

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The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) LATAM and the Inter-American Committee on Ports (CIP) of the Organization of American States (OAS) have launched the call for applications for the fourth edition of the Port Industry Excellence Award.

This award recognizes the ports of the Americas that stand out for their operational excellence and their positive impact on the economic and social development of the region, strengthening their role as drivers of international trade and connectivity between countries.

In each edition, this award seeks to encourage the implementation of continuous improvements in port management, promoting efficient and sustainable operating models.

The award has three categories: Technology and Innovation, Port Performance and Growth, and Public-Private Partnerships.

These areas seek to highlight initiatives that generate technological solutions for greater efficiency and competitiveness, strengthen sustainable development and promote strategic collaboration in the port industry.

Through these awards, AAPA LATAM and the CIP-OAS promote cutting-edge practices that drive the modernization of ports and the integration of new logistics solutions that benefit the region.

Public and private ports, terminals and port operators from CIP-OAS Member States may apply. Proposals must reflect initiatives that contribute to strengthening the competitiveness and sustainability of the maritime sector in the region, demonstrating tangible results in the optimization of processes and the implementation of strategies that promote efficiency and economic development both locally and internationally.

Particular emphasis will be placed on the ability of projects to generate measurable benefits, boost the growth of port infrastructure and strengthen the resilience of maritime trade in the face of global challenges.

To participate, interested parties must complete an application form and submit the required documents in PDF or PowerPoint format (link to download the form: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uk6zhIvQTfz5qPny8eA_VRh2uCJz2gRs/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=115199319296214998537&rtpof=true&sd=true).

Documentation must not exceed 10MB and can be submitted in Spanish or English no later than April 11, 2025. It is essential that applications include clear evidence of achievements, performance indicators and a detailed description of the strategies implemented to ensure continuous improvement in port operations. Documentation must be sent to the emails mentioned at the end of the article.

Applications will be evaluated using a scoring system that measures verifiable indicators. Those initiatives with the greatest impact and score will be recognized as winners, and the results will be announced in the official media of AAPA LATAM and CIP-OAS. The selected projects are expected to serve as a reference for the sector, encouraging the implementation of good practices and fostering greater competitiveness in the region through innovation and strategic cooperation.

The winners will receive a recognition plaque and free registration for a representative at the AAPA LATAM 2025 Annual Conference in Lima, Peru. In addition, their work will be highlighted in media and specialized publications of the port sector. The visibility offered by this award allows ports to strengthen their international positioning and expand their opportunities for collaboration with other industry players.

The award schedule sets the call for applications to open from March 5 to April 11, 2025. Winners will be announced on May 8, while the award ceremony will be held on June 25 at the AAPA LATAM Annual Conference. For more information or inquiries, interested parties may contact Mona Swoboda, CIP-OAS Program Manager (mswoboda@oas.org), or Mariana Granados, AAPA LATAM Program Coordinator (mariana.granados@aapalatam.org).

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