The Secretariat of Inter-American Committee on Ports (CIP) of the Organization of American States (OAS) and the Latin American Delegation of the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA), recognize the importance of a competitive port industry for the region’s economic and social development. The AAPA-CIP Port Industry Award of Excellence was launched in 2021 to showcase integral port development initiatives by recognizing ports and terminals in the Americas for their outstanding operations and contributions to the economic and social prosperity of their respective countries.

The AAPA-CIP Award is open to both public and private ports, terminals, and port operators from the 35 Member States of the OAS-CIP. In this third edition of the collaborative Award, the Jury Committee received 22 applications of the highest caliber from a record-breaking 11 countries in North America, Latin America, and the Caribbean. In all cases, the applicants demonstrated great commitment to excellence in their operations, advancing the economic conditions of their communities, and promoting strategic alliances with key stakeholders in their countries.

After an exceptionally competitive process, the winning entries of the AAPA-CIP Award showcased outstanding indicators together with clearly accomplished objectives in their respective categories:

Technology and Innovation: Barbados Port Inc. is recognized for integrating technology and innovative processes into their operations to boost efficiency, increasing competitiveness, and improving the quality of their services.

Port Infrastructure Development: DP World Dominicana is recognized for expanding their physical port infrastructure with concrete and measurable positive (local) economic impacts.

Public-Private Alliances: Santos Port Authority, Brazil, is recognized for promoting public-private strategic alliances with stakeholders from different entities or sectors for sustainable and efficient port development.

Awardees will receive international recognition throughout the Western Hemisphere via various communication and media channels, including the publication on AAPA and CIP-OAS websites, and will be honored during the XXXI AAPA LATAM Convention of Ports in Barranquilla, Colombia, December 4-6.

The CIP Secretariat and AAPA wish to thank all the institutions that participated in this edition of the Award for their important commitment to the port sector in the region and extend their most heartfelt congratulations to the winners for their outstanding accomplishments.