News Release
FOR RELEASE - September 29, 2026
Contact: Shawn Balcomb, press@aapa-ports.org

American Association of Port Authorities
Phone: (202) 792-4033
www.aapa-ports.org

AAPA Honors 2026 Lighthouse Award Winners for Port Industry Excellence

New Orleans, LA —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.

"Ports have always been and will remain the economic backbone of global growth and commerce. AAPA’s Lighthouse Awards are just a snapshot of the immense scale and scope of our industry’s good work,” said Sang Yi, AAPA President & CEO. "From stronger infrastructure and smarter technology to greater security and deeper community engagement, we are thrilled to celebrate these 12 outstanding ports, their projects, and the professionals behind them. Congratulations to all of this year’s winners."

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 “Port of Albany, NY Sponsorship of the Hudson River Trading Game Program in the Albany City Schools” project.

• Excellence in Environmental Practices
• Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority for their “83 Acres, 200+ Voices: Realizing the Largest Habitat Restoration Project in Maumee River History” project.

• Excellence in Financial Practices
• Ports of Indiana for their “Hyper-Growth Financial Initiative” project.

• Excellence in Public Relations Campaign:
• Large Port Category: Port of Everett for their “Port of Everett Maritime Workforce Development Pipeline" project.
• Small Port Category: PhilaPort for their “Making Your Day. Better.” project.

• Excellence in Print or Digital Media Communications:
• Large Port Category: Port of Vancouver USA for their “Port of Vancouver USA 2026 Community Awareness Digital Campaign” project; and
• Small Port Category: PhilaPort for their “Making Your Day. Better.” project.

• Excellence in Security Practices:
• Large Port Category: Port of Stockton for their “Integration of Random Anti-Terrorism Measures into Daily Port Police Operations” project; and
• Small Port Category: Port Pascagoula for their “Eyes in the Sky: Advancing Port Security Through Real-Time Drone Detection” project.

• Excellence in Studies, Plans, and/or Designs:
• Georgia Ports Authority for their “Gainesville Inland Port” project.

• Excellence in Technology Solutions:
• Large Port Category: SeaPort Manatee for their “Integrated TWIC-Based Access Control & Operational Intelligence System” project; and
• Small Port Category: Port Pascagoula for their “Eyes in the Sky: Advancing Port Security Through Real-Time Drone Detection” project.

AAPA honored the 2026 Lighthouse Awards winners at its 115th Annual Convention in New Orleans on Monday, September 28, 2026.

Find more information on the Lighthouse Awards and view detailed information about the winning projects here.

About AAPA:

The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) is the unified voice of port leaders and maritime industry partners across the Western Hemisphere which serve a vital role in job-creation, international competitiveness, and economic prosperity. Connecting small business owners, retailers, and manufacturers to the global marketplace, AAPA member organizations advocate for national policies and infrastructure investments in support of a resilient global supply chain and a positive impact on the way people live, work, travel, and engage in commerce.