MEDPorts and the Union for the Mediterranean Launch the “Mediterranean Most Resilient Port of the Year” Award
The MEDPorts Association, in partnership with the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), is proud to announce the launch of the “Mediterranean Most Resilient Port of the Year” Award, a new annual initiative created to recognise Mediterranean ports that are strengthening resilience, adaptability, and preparedness in the face of growing global and regional disruption.
In recent years, ports and maritime supply chains have operated in an increasingly complex environment shaped by geopolitical tensions, climate-related pressures, economic volatility, cyber risks, and rapid technological change. Across the Mediterranean, ports have had to adapt quickly, maintain continuity of operations, and rethink how they prepare for uncertainty while continuing to support trade, connectivity, and regional economic stability
Against this backdrop, MEDPorts and the Union for the Mediterranean have joined forces to create an award that places resilience at the centre of the Mediterranean port agenda.
The “Mediterranean Most Resilient Port of the Year” Award aims to recognise ports that demonstrate outstanding leadership, innovation, and operational performance in strengthening resilience across maritime transport and logistics systems. It also seeks to promote resilience as a strategic priority for Mediterranean port systems, encourage investment in adaptive and future-oriented infrastructure and operations, and highlight best practices that can inspire exchange and peer learning across the region.
The Award adopts a broad understanding of port resilience, covering key dimensions such as operational continuity, infrastructure robustness, crisis management, supply chain reliability, digitalisation and cybersecurity, adaptability and flexibility, energy transition, environmental resilience, stakeholder coordination, and long-term resilience strategy
The Award is open to commercial seaports located in the Mediterranean region. Applications may be submitted by port authorities and port management bodies that meet the eligibility requirements and can demonstrate concrete resilience-related measures, projects, or strategies already implemented in their port environment
Applications for the first edition are now officially open. The submission deadline is 31 October 2026, and the winners will be announced during the Malta Maritime World Conference 2026, taking place from 25 to 27 November 2026.
Through this joint initiative, MEDPorts and the Union for the Mediterranean reaffirm their shared commitment to supporting ports as strategic actors in regional resilience, sustainable connectivity, economic integration, and the future of Mediterranean logistics. As gateways connecting Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, Mediterranean ports are increasingly called upon to do more than move cargo and passengers. They are expected to anticipate disruption, adapt to change, and help secure the continuity of trade and cooperation across the region
The “Mediterranean Most Resilient Port of the Year” Award is designed to celebrate exactly that: ports that are not only navigating disruption, but actively building stronger, more resilient Mediterranean maritime systems for the future
Applications and supporting documentation should be submitted electronically to: medportsassociation@gmail.com