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.
Award
2026 AAPA LATAM – CIP-OAS Port Industry Award of Excellence
Hemispheric recognition for ports and terminals in the Americas that demonstrate excellence in their operations and contribute to the economic and social prosperity of the region.
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.
Categories
Award categories
Each application must be submitted for one category only. You may submit separate applications for different categories.
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.
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 in Antigua, Guatemala, December 1–3, 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, December 1, held in the course of the 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
Key dates
Mark the important dates for the 2026 award cycle.
Open call
May 6 – July 8, 2026
Winners announced
July 30, 2026
Award Ceremony
December 1, 2026
Contact
Questions?
For any questions relating specifically to the Award, please contact:
Documents
Guidelines
Download the official award guidelines before completing your application.
Application
Application form
Complete the form for the category you are applying to. You may submit a separate application for each category.
Submissions must be received no later than July 8, 2026. Documentation may not exceed 10MB and must be submitted electronically (PDF and/or PowerPoint) in Spanish or English.
Documents
Upload supporting documents
Upload your supporting documentation. Enter your institution name and category to create a named folder. Accepted formats: PDF, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and images. Limits: max 20 MB per file, max 10 files, max 35 MB total per submission.