Ports Innovate to Attract More Women: ESPO Awards 2025

29th October 2025

Jehan Ashmore

One of the shortlisted ESPO ports nominated for the 2025 awards is the Port of Lisbon, Portugal. This week AFLOAT highlights the Iberian port, celebrates 138 years with community events taking place, with a party on Friday, 31 October, to mark its history and the connection between the country’s capital and port.

One of the shortlisted ESPO ports nominated for the 2025 awards is the Port of Lisbon, Portugal. This week AFLOAT highlights the Iberian port and celebrates 138 years with community events taking place, with a party on Friday, 31 October, to mark its history and the connection between the country’s capital and port. Credit: Porto de Lisboa - Linkedin

Under the theme of this year’s European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) Awards, “Ports that have developed innovative policies and/or strategies that successfully attract more women to work in ports.”

The ESPO Award 2025 will be handed over to the port managing body that actively promotes a supportive and inclusive work environment for female professionals, thereby advancing gender balance.

The four projects that are shortlisted for this year’s award are the projects of the Port of Helsinki (Finland), as previously reported; the Port of Lisbon (Portugal); the Port of Rotterdam (the Netherlands); and Shoreham Port (United Kingdom).

ESPO is proud to present the shortlisted projects before the winner is announced during the traditional ESPO Award Ceremony and Dinner taking place on 5 November at the Hôtel des Douanes. Find out more about the project of the Port of Lisbon.

To find out more about the project of the Port of Lisbon, click here.

Published in Ports & Shipping

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About The Author

Jehan Ashmore

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Jehan Ashmore is a marine correspondent, researcher and photographer, specialising in Irish ports, shipping and the ferry sector serving the UK and directly to mainland Europe. Jehan also occasionally writes a column, 'Maritime' Dalkey for the (Dalkey Community Council Newsletter) in addition to contributing to UK marine periodicals.

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