The International Harbour Masters Association (IHMA) is pleased to announce this year’s award winners, celebrated at the 15th IHMA Congress in Rotterdam in June.
The key theme of the 2026 event was Connecting Horizons – Building Future Resilient Ports Together.
Gala Dinner & Awards Ceremony
The awards were presented during the Congress Gala Dinner, held at the DoubleTree by Hilton in the heart of the Port of Rotterdam on Thursday 11 June.
Launched in 2018, the IHMA awards recognise and celebrate the contributions Harbour Masters make to ensuring safe, secure and efficient ports around the world.
The awards are judged in three categories:
- Port Operations Photograph of the Year
- Safe, Efficient and Secure Port Award
- Outstanding Individual Achievement in the Profession of Harbour Master Award
Category 1: Port Operations Photograph of the Year award
The Port Operations Photograph of the Year Award was presented to Port-Cartier, Quebec. The two winning photographs were submitted by Isabelle Roy, Harbour Master, Port-Cartier.
Captain Loïc Sinquin, Harbour Master, Port of Bordeaux, France, accepted the award on Isabelle’s behalf.
The Raw material picture was taken by drone by the Master of the Ontario Venture, Colin J. Lozon.
It shows the raw material unloading berth in Port-Cartier on April 1st at approximately 06:30 at sunrise.
Photo 1: Raw material unloading berth in Port-Cartier
The Port-Cartier photo was taken by one of the port operators while heading to the shiploader on October 20, 2025, around 20:15 at sunset. The image shows two vessels, including the Algoma Mariner in the foreground, awaiting its operator. They are located at the junction of Berths 1 and 4 at ArcelorMittal, which are used for loading iron ore concentrate and iron ore pellets.
Photo 2: Two vessels at the junction of Berths 1 and 4 at ArcelorMittal
Category 2. Safe, Efficient and Secure Port Award
Adam Parsons, Harbour Master, Halifax Port Authority, accepts his award from IHMA President Capt. Kevin Allen
The Safe, Efficient and Secure Port Award was presented to the Halifax Port Authority, Canada.
Adam Parsons, Harbour Master, Halifax Port Authority, accepted the award.
Over the past 3–5 years, the Halifax Port Authority (HPA) has transformed its marine operations model through the integration of centralised coordination, structured governance, and enhanced stakeholder collaboration.
These initiatives have resulted in a transition from a decentralised, reactive operating environment to a proactive, risk-based model supporting both safety and efficiency across all vessel movements within Halifax Harbour. Directly contributing to measurable reductions in vessel delays and operational conflicts, alongside improved on-time performance and increased reporting of safety observations.
The 24/7 Port Operations Centre, Port Information Guide, and MSMS have improved vessel coordination, situational awareness, and decision-making, resulting in better planning, fewer conflicts, and more predictable vessel movements.
Board oversight, audit and assurance processes, and integrated operational technologies have also strengthened safety reporting, efficiency, and continuous improvement across the port community.
With further work underway on risk assessment, MSMS documentation, and the Port Marine Safety Plan, HPA is well-positioned to continue strengthening resilience and demonstrating safe, efficient port operations.
Category 3. Outstanding Individual Achievement in the Profession of Harbour Master Award
The Outstanding Individual Achievement in the Profession of Harbour Master Award was presented to Captain José Rovira Martí, Harbour Master, Port of Barcelona.
Francisco Esteban Lefler, President of PIANC, accepted the award on José’s behalf.
Before joining the Port Authority of Barcelona in 2005, Mr. Rovira Martí served for thirteen years as Head of Maritime Safety at the Maritime Captaincy of Barcelona, where he was responsible for overseeing maritime safety and ensuring compliance with maritime regulations.
In 2005, he joined the Port Authority of Barcelona as Head of Maritime Operations, assuming responsibility for the coordination and management of maritime activities within the Port of Barcelona.
In February 2019, he was appointed Director of Maritime Operations by the Board of Directors of the Port Authority of Barcelona. In this role, he oversees the strategic planning, coordination, and execution of maritime operations at one of the Mediterranean region's leading ports.
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The International Harbour Masters Association (IHMA) is pleased to announce this year’s award winners, celebrated at the 15th IHMA Congress in Rotterdam in June.
