ESPO Award 2024 – The Port of Antwerp-Bruges, the Port of Gothenburg, the Port of Huelva, and the Port of Sevilla have been shortlisted for the prestigious 16th edition of the European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) Award on Societal Integration of Ports. This annual award recognizes innovative port projects that enhance social integration, with a particular focus on how these initiatives benefit local communities and cities.
An independent jury of experts, led by former ESPO Chair Eamonn O’Reilly, selected these four ports from a total of nine submissions received this year. The jury’s decision underscores the increasing importance of circular economy strategies within the maritime sector. The ESPO Award 2024 is centered on “port projects or strategies in the field of circular economy that benefit the city and/or the surrounding community,” reflecting a growing trend toward sustainable practices.
Eamonn O’Reilly commented on the maturity of the European port sector, stating, “Since the first edition of the ESPO Award in 2009, Europe’s port sector has matured and developed beyond all recognition. It is clear, from the nine entries for this year’s Award, that ports are fully focused on the enormous challenge of our times, climate change. All of this year’s projects are exemplars for the circular economy ambitions that are evident throughout the sector. This year’s winner will be a first among equals.”
The award ceremony will take place on November 6 at the Albert Hall in Brussels, where Elissavet Vozemberg, Chair of the Transport Committee of the European Parliament, will present the award to the winning port authority. Leading up to this event, the shortlisted projects will be showcased on the ESPO website, and a special booklet detailing all nine submissions will be released on the same day.
The ESPO Award
The ESPO Award, established in 2009, aims to promote innovative initiatives by port authorities that enhance the social integration of ports within their communities. By doing so, the award stimulates sustainable development in European ports and their adjacent cities, fostering collaboration between stakeholders and the surrounding populace.
Previous Winners
The award has recognized various ports over the years for their contributions to societal integration. Past recipients include:
- Port of Gijón (2009)
- Port of Helsinki (2010)
- Ports of Stockholm (2011)
- Port of Genoa (2012)
- Port of Antwerp (2013)
- Port of Koper (2014)
- Port of Dublin (2015)
- BremenPorts (2016)
- Guadeloupe Ports Caraïbes (2017)
- Port of Rotterdam (2018)
- Port of Dover (2019)
- Algeciras Port Authority (2020)
- Port of Gdańsk Authority (2021)
- Port of Barcelona (2022)
- North Sea Port (2023)
As the maritime industry continues to evolve, the ESPO Award serves as a testament to the crucial role ports play in promoting sustainability and fostering relationships with their communities. The ongoing commitment to circular economy practices highlights the dedication of European ports to meet the challenges posed by climate change and societal needs.
Stay tuned for updates as the finalists prepare for the award ceremony and for the release of the special booklet detailing all nine submissions.