The European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) has announced that four ports are all in the running for its annual prize, which is focusing on ‘good work environments’ for 2018.
Associated British Ports in the UK, North Sea Port in Belgium and The Netherlands, Ports of Rotterdam in The Netherlands, and Tallinn in Estonia are competing for the accolade. To win, the port has to demonstrate an innovative approach, with regard to promoting their port area as an appealing, welcoming environment for new professionals within the industry.
The latest edition of the award will not only celebrate the 10th winner since it was introduced, but also the 25th anniversary of ESPO as an organisation. Motivated by the necessity to boost city-port relations around Europe, the ESPO Award was conceived in 2009 as a way to encourage the societal integration of ports in key cities.
Professor Jean-Paul Rodrigue, of PortEconomics, discusses the paradox of port automation in a recent Port Technology technical paper
In addition to these efforts, to ensure that the demand for labour force in and around the port matches the diversity of those living in close proximity, ESPO has also been a partner in the Sectoral Social Dialogue Committee for Ports since 2013. This group meets triannually, with the goal of challenging developments in port sectors and enhancing the industry’s competitiveness.
The four ports which have entered will now have to wait until November 7, 2018, where the winner will be announced at ESPO’s award ceremony and dinner in Brussels.
