Now in its 17th edition, the ESPO Award on Social Integration of Ports is shining a spotlight on gender balance in the maritime and port sector. This year's theme focuses on “ports that have developed innovative policies and/or strategies that successfully attract more women to work in ports.” So, don't let this opportunity pass you by, submit your project by 4 July 2025!

The ESPO Award 2025 will celebrate the port managing bodies that are taking proactive steps to foster a supportive and inclusive working environment for female professionals and thus enhancing the gender balance.

ESPO is one of the founding members of the European Commission's “Women in Transport – EU Platform for Change,” an initiative launched in 2017 to promote gender balance in the transport sector, since on average only 22% of people working in the transport sector are women. Since 2018, ESPO has been actively monitoring gender balance within the port sector through the effective attendance of female port professionals to the different meetings of the organisation.

ESPO Award 2024: Port of Sevilla wins the ESPO Award!

Submit your projects to the ESPO Secretariat by 4 July 2025. The application form and terms of reference are available on the ESPO website.

The ESPO Award winning port is selected by an independent jury of international experts on the theme of the award. The winner receives a painting out of the series “The Colours of ESPO” created exclusively for ESPO by Dutch port painter Sasja Hagens. The submitted projects are brought together into an illustrated ESPO Award booklet. The award ceremony will take place during a dinner being held on 5 November 2025 at Hotel des Douanes, Tour et Taxi, Brussels!

So, plenty of reasons to apply for the ESPO award 2025!
Source: ESPO