ESPO Sustainability Award

The ESPO Award centres around the social integration of ports and this year’s theme is the ’Role of maritime passenger transport in enhancing the city connectivity and bringing added value to the local community.’

“Maritime passenger transport enables ports to link people and cultures across regions and countries but it is also a real challenge to ports,” said Dimitrios Theologitis, chairman of the ESPO Award jury.

”Ports are already expert in dealing with goods in an efficient, cost-effective and secure way. Passenger transport brings different requirements such as protection from the elements, comfort, aesthetics, integration of the seafront in the fabric of the city and also the need to avoid disruption when large numbers of passengers have to be transported from and to the port.”

Innovative entries

This year’s entries include projects on construction and relocation, information and integration, with architects, engineers and local authorities demonstrably working together to make maritime passenger transport more attractive. 

The four shortlisted projects for the 14th ESPO Award were whittled down from seven entries. The award will go to the port managing body which has developed a series of initiatives and a strategy in collaboration with its stakeholders to enhance the maritime passenger links and the connectivity within the city or with other cities and regions of Europe.

Role of the port in enhancing the connectivity through a smooth and friendly passage through the port in and out of the city, as well as efforts of the port to give visitors a first good impression of the city or region are important criteria. Environmental and social sustainability of the project or strategy will also be a prerequisite for winning the ESPO Award 2022.

This year’s award will be announced during the traditional ESPO Award Ceremony and dinner taking place on 8 November in Brussels.