AAPA Presents 2026 Lighthouse Award to Winners for Port Industry Excellence

The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) is proud to announce the 2026 Lighthouse Awards winners. AAPA’s Lighthouse Awards are an annual tradition that highlight exceptional port projects that exemplify hard work, innovation, and the pursuit of excellence.

The 2026 Lighthouse Award winners are:

Beacon Award of Excellence

• Port of Vancouver USA

Excellence in Administrative Practices

• Port of Vancouver USA for their “Maritime Partnership with Cascadia Tech” project.

Excellence in Construction Practices

• Georgia Ports Authority for their “Gainesville Inland Port” project.

Excellence in Community/Educational Outreach

• Large Port Category: Port Houston for their “Anchored in Action: A Community Investment Plan” project; and
• Small Port Category: Port of Albany - Albany Port District Commission for their “Port of Albany, NY Sponsorship of the Hudson River Trading Game Program in the Albany City Schools” project.

Excellence in Cruise Practices

• Port Everglades for their “Find-a-Cruise: Helping Cruise Guests Navigate Their Options from Port Everglades” project.

Excellence in Economic Development Practices

• Large Port Category: Port of Vancouver USA for their “Maritime Partnership with Cascadia Tech” project; and
• Small Port Category: Port of Albany - Albany Port District Commission for their