HomeNEWSThe Port of Algeciras, winner of the 2020 European Sea Ports Organization Award

The Port of Algeciras, winner of the 2020 European Sea Ports Organization Award

ESPO recognizes the ecosystem of innovation and support to the local entrepreneurs

 

The Port of Algeciras has become winner of the twelfth edition of the 2020 ESPO Award this Tuesday. The European Transport Commissioner, Mrs. Adina Valean, has revealed the verdict of the jury during the virtual ceremony organized by the European Sea Ports Organization (ESPO). With this award, the European institution recognizes the role of the Port of Algeciras Bay Authority (APBA) in the promotion of the integration of innovative companies and local entrepreneurs in the port sector. Mrs. Valean has pointed out the role of the ports of the European Union to maintain the logistic chain during the worst months of the Covid-19 pandemic. Likewise, the Commissioner has urged the ports to continue working to the benefit of the sustainable development.

In the winning proposal, APBA has presented its management and culture innovation programme called “Journey of the Innovation”. Under this umbrella, the port institution organizes numerous activities addressed to University students, port workers, entrepreneurs, starts-ups and technological SMEs, organizing contests to reward innovative ideas or permitting companies to prove their solutions in the context of the Port of Algeciras, within the framework of the programme Algeciras Port Living Lab.

After being informed of the decision of the jury by the Transport Commissioner, the Chairman of the Port Authority, Mr. Gerardo Landaluce, has expressed his gratitude to ESPO, to the rest of participating ports and, in particular, to the Technological Development Area of the Port Authority for the work they have baeen carrying out during the last years, in order to consolidate the innovation culture in the Port Bay of Algeciras.

“This award proves that we are in the right path and it inspires us to work even harder to boost the social integration through innovation”, said Mr. Landaluce.

“The whole APBA team is grateful and very happy for the award, because it represents a recognition to the innovation labour and to the digital transformation, as well as to the commitment to modernity and future that represents the Port of Algeciras and the port community”, he added.

The objective of the 2020 ESPO Award intended to recognize the role of the European ports as engines for the innovation and social integration. In particular, the edition of this year tries “to encourage entrepreneurs and local companies to play a part in the port ecosystem, with the intention to give dynamism to the relations between the ports and their environment”.

Along with the Port of Algeciras, the Spanish Ports Board project “Ports 4.0” and the proposals presented by the ports of Amsterdam (The Netherlands) and Lisbon (Portugal) were the final candidates selected by the jury of the twelfth edition of this award for the Social Integration of Ports, to which the Ports of Oulu (Finland), Thessaloniki (Greece) and Rotterdam (The Netherlands) also opted.

SOURCE: EUROPASUR

Share With: