AAPA Latinoamérica | Asociación Americana de Autoridades Portuarias

About

Background

Ports contribute significantly to global development. As trade facilitators, they integrate the functions of supply chains such as services in logistics, information, and business. Per the International Maritime Organization (IMO), up to 90 percent of the world's trade is carried by sea. In the Americas, the impact of ports as industrial clusters is critical. In the region over 95% of exports are moved through ports, making them a significant driver of economic growth and prosperity, when facilitating trade in a sustainable, resilient, secure, and inclusive manner.

The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) LATAM and the Secretariat of the Inter-American Committee on Ports (CIP-OAS) of the Organization of American States (OAS) recognize the importance of a competitive port industry for the economic and social development of the region. Committed to promoting integrated port development, AAPA LATAM and the CIP-OAS Secretariat have partnered for the 5th edition of the Port Industry Award of Excellence to honor ports in the Americas that demonstrate excellence in their operations and contribute to the economic and social prosperity of the societies in which they operate.

Award categories

Each application must be submitted for one category only. You may submit separate applications for different categories.

Technology and Innovation

For ports and/or terminals that integrate technology and innovative technological solutions into their operations to boost efficiency, increase competitiveness, and improve the quality of services.

Port Performance and Growth

For ports and/or terminals that improved their port performance and/or increased their trade volume with concrete and measurable positive operational and/or economic impacts.

Public-Private Partnerships

For ports and/or terminals that promote public-private strategic alliances with stakeholders from different entities or sectors for sustainable and efficient port development.

Winners

Winners of the 5th edition

AAPA LATAM and CIP-OAS proudly announce the winners of the 5th edition of the hemispheric award recognizing the region's leading ports.

Technology and Innovation — APM Terminals — Lázaro Cárdenas — Technology and InnovationAPM Terminals — Lázaro Cárdenas

Port Performance and Growth — Puerto Ventanas S.A. — Port Performance and GrowthPuerto Ventanas S.A.

Public-Private Partnerships — DP World — Posorja — Public-Private PartnershipsDP World — Posorja

Eligibility

Eligibility and evaluation criteria

The Award is open to both public and private ports, terminals, and port operators in any of the CIP-OAS Member States.

Evaluation criteria

Efficiency and capacity, verified through measurable indicators.
Economic benefits and multiplying effects, for local and/or national economies.
Competitiveness, through trade and supply chain facilitation.
Cooperation and integration with port industry stakeholders to foster operational sustainability.

Jury Committee

American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) LATAM.
Secretariat of the Inter-American Committee on Ports (CIP-OAS).
Selected AAPA LATAM – CIP-OAS Subject Matter Experts.

The Award

Recognition and benefits

Awardees will be honored during the 2026 AAPA LATAM Annual Convention, December 1–4, 2026.

1Award Plaque.
2Participation free of charge of one (1) representative, as well as participation of one (1) representative at a 50% discount, to attend the 2026 AAPA LATAM Annual Convention (attendees are responsible for their own travel and lodging expenses).
3Recognition at the Award Ceremony, held in the course of the 2026 AAPA LATAM Annual Convention.
4Publication of the winning entries in the AAPA LATAM and CIP-OAS Newsletters.
5Hemispheric-wide recognition through all AAPA LATAM and CIP-OAS media outlets.

Timeline