Aug 20, 2025, 1:00:00 PM
The Port of Vigo continues to strengthen its leadership in innovation and sustainability, with two of its projects selected as finalists for the IAPH Sustainability Awards 2025, the prestigious prizes granted by the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH), the world’s largest port network.
This year, Vigo’s candidacies stand out in two key categories:
Climate & Energy, with the Hydrogen Strategy: a living lab for the energy transition, a comprehensive plan to foster green hydrogen in port operations.
Environmental Care, with NaturPorts: Nature-Based Solutions for Port Ecosystem Restoration, which turns grey infrastructures into living blue ecosystems to boost biodiversity.
These nominations reinforce Vigo’s role as a global benchmark in the blue economy, in a contest that marks the 70th anniversary of IAPH and gathers 112 projects from 90 countries. The Galician port already knows what it takes to win, having received the so-called “Green Oscars” in 2020 (Peiraos do Solpor) and 2022 (Nautilus).
The competition, however, is fierce: Vigo’s hydrogen strategy will face projects from Rotterdam (Netherlands) and Yokohama (Japan), while NaturPorts will compete against a multinational initiative led by 40 ports from Northern Europe and East Africa.
The final result will combine 70% jury evaluation with a decisive 30% public vote. Citizens worldwide are invited to take part in the process, which remains open until midnight, September 5 (CEST) on the official awards platform. https://sustainableworldports.org/iaph2025-sustainability-awards/
With this double nomination, Vigo not only strengthens its position as a pioneer in port sustainability and innovation, but also calls on the public to join forces in securing another global recognition for the city.
The Blue Growth strategy will address the main challenges of the energy transition in the maritime sector, as part of a conference organised by the Vigo Port Authority. The session will bring together institutional representatives, companies, technology centres and European projects linked to hydrogen, electrification and energy efficiency applied to the port and fishing sectors, with the aim of analysing the challenges of the energy transition and the implementation of new sustainable solutions in the maritime and port sector. The session will provide an opportunity to showcase projects and initiatives linked to hydrogen, energy efficiency and emissions reduction in the maritime and fishing sectors, including the European HY2FISH project.
• A delegation from the country's government and its main fishing ports is currently visiting Galicia to see first-hand the success of the Port of Vigo's ‘Blue Growth’ strategy. • The visit is part of the FAO's Blue Ports initiative, which seeks to replicate Vigo's model of governance, innovation and sustainability in the Asian country.
The initiative, coordinated by the Vigo Port Authority, has achieved the colonization of 170 species in biomimetic structures and the recovery of 0.2 hectares of protected seagrass beds. Carlos Botana highlights that the success of NaturPorts positions Vigo as an international benchmark in the blue economy and port sustainability.