#Ports&Shipping –The latest IMDO Weekly Market Review includes the following stories as detailed below.

Irish Shipping News: Hearing into proposed Galway Harbour expansion taking place - A preliminary hearing into a proposed expansion of Galway Harbour has been taking place ahead of the full An Bord Pleanála oral hearing. As previously reported on Afloat.ie, the planned development would cost €126m. The first module will deal with issues relating to ecology and hydrology. Subsequent modules will look at other issues and include questioning and cross-examination of witnesses.

Global Maritime News: Port of Antwerp set for record year - The Port of Antwerp is expecting container volume growth to help drive the port to a year of record volumes. Europe's third busiest container port's estimated throughput figures show it is likely to handle 8.96m teu this year, an increase of 4.5% compared with 2013. As a result, the port is likely to break the 9m teu mark over the coming 12 months.

China outlines 2020 roadmap to develop China shipping sector  - China's ministry of transport has spelled out a roadmap to 2020 on the development of its shipping industry, in a bid to raise the sector's level of services and global competitiveness. The seven-page guideline broadly states that China will focus on improving its policies to benefit shipping enterprises, sharpening technology and innovation, boosting financial services and strengthening ancillary services.

Panama Canal announces new toll structure - The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has announced a proposal for a new toll structure and is inviting formal comments on the tolls. A public hearing will take place on 27 February, written comments must be received by the deadline of 9 February at 1615hrs, local time.

For more on each of the above and other stories click the IMDO Weekly Markets Review (Week 2). In addition to dedicated coverage on Afloat.ie's Ports & Shipping News section.

#HeritagePORT- Commission Vice-President Siim Kallas yesterday handed out the fifth edition of the ESPO Award on Societal Integration to the Port of Antwerp for its project 'Heritage: the breadcrumbs trail between city and port'.

This year's edition of the ESPO Award as reported on Alfoat.ie in September, had 'heritage' as theme.

The ESPO Award jury was especially impressed by the way the project of the port of Antwerp celebrates the past, provides new civic amenities for the citizens of today, creates a new iconic building as the heritage of tomorrow, and sets out to educate its citizens about the importance of a thriving port for their lives.

In his word of thanks, Port of Antwerp Chief Operations Officer, Christiaan De Block said: "Antwerp Port Authority and the port community are particularly pleased about winning the 2013 ESPO Award. We see it as an appreciation for the sustainable development of our port, and for our efforts towards maximum symbiosis between city and port, an important precondition for creating social support. The ultimate aim is to bring citizens and visitors closer to the Port of Antwerp. Our motto 'Strong through collaboration' has once more proved its value."

As every year, the award ceremony was held in the Town Hall of Brussels. The event was followed by a walking dinner, which was attended by more than 200 representatives from the European port and transport sector and EU institutions. The event also marked the 20th anniversary of ESPO.

The 15 projects that participated in this year's competition have been brought together in a PDF format booklet which can be downloaded from the ESPO website LINK HERE.