The Gateway Awards 2026 recognise outstanding performance across a wide spectrum of categories, covering the entire maritime value chain as well as related industries. With comprehensive and in-depth classifications, the awards showcase the profession’s full breadth and highlight the most exemplary contributions in India. Their extensive scope ensures that excellence in every domain is duly acknowledged.

A Container Port handles containerised cargo as its major cargo, operated by either the government or a private company. This award recognises improvement in operational flow and performance efficiency achieved in FY 2025 and H1 FY 2026. It also recognises initiatives undertaken to achieve higher levels of productivity and growth across all operations in the port, including enhancements of soft and hard infrastructure to provide seamless cargo movement.

A Bulk Port handles Bulk and Break-bulk as its major cargo, operated by either the government or a private company. This award recognises the efforts of a Bulk Port in improving operational and performance efficiency, road and rail connectivity and also entering new markets in FY 2025 and H1 FY 2026. This award also recognises initiatives undertaken to achieve higher levels of productivity and growth.

A Container Terminal handles only containers as its cargo, operated by either the government or a private company. This award recognises an individual terminal by its overall operational and performance efficiency, expansions, enhancements, new investments and initiatives undertaken to achieve higher levels of productivity, growth and ease of doing business.

A Container Terminal handles only containers as its cargo, operated by either the government or a private company. This award recognises an individual terminal by its overall operational and performance efficiency, expansions, enhancements, new investments and initiatives undertaken to achieve higher levels of productivity, growth and ease of doing business.

A Container Line is a ship operator that operates pure container carriers in its fleet. Judging criteria include total Indian containerised cargo handled, expansion of network, new services, new routes and customer service.

SHIP BUILDING COMPANY OF THE YEAR (LARGE SHIPYARDS)

This award recognises an Indian shipbuilding company that operates one or more shipyards in India and specialises in constructing commercial, ocean-going vessels. The judging parameters include the company’s order book strength, production capacity, availability of dry docks and ship repair facilities, range and types of vessels built, expertise in constructing larger ships, quality of customer service, and overall operational performance.

SHIP BUILDING COMPANY OF THE YEAR (SMALL & MEDIUM SHIPYARDS)

This award recognises an Indian shipbuilding company that operates one or more shipyards in India and specialises in constructing commercial, ocean-going vessels. The judging parameters include the company’s order book strength, production capacity, availability of dry docks and ship repair facilities, range and types of vessels built, expertise in constructing small and medium ships, quality of customer service, and overall operational performance.

A Shipping Agent is an individual or an enterprise that acts on behalf of a shipping company for the booking and delivery of cargo. Judging criteria include total volumes handled, efficiency, quality of customer service, innovations and expansion of network.

An Inland Container Depot (ICD) is a dry port that deals with operations like container handling, stuffing, de-stuffing, loading, unloading, container repairs and customs clearance. Judging criteria for this category include capacity, infrastructure, cargo handling equipment, storage space, productivity/ efficiency, rail & road connectivity, better customs and customer service. (Only one nomination from one company will be accepted. Multiple nominations are not allowed from the same owner.

Container Freight Station (CFS) acts as a holding area and an extension of a port where containers are brought from / taken to the port. Customs clearance, cargo consolidation and other related activities happen at a CFS to reduce congestion at the port. Nominees for this award will be judged by their capacity, infrastructure, cargo handling equipment, efficiency, speedy evacuation, rail & road connectivity, storage space, value-added services and customer service. (Only one nomination from one Company will be accepted. Multiple nominations are not allowed from the same owner.

CFS Company is a group company that owns and operates its own CFSs across India to facilitate trade with better services. A container freight station acts as an extension of a port where containers are brought from / taken to the port. Customs clearance, cargo consolidation and other related activities happen at a CFS to reduce congestion at the port. Nominees for this award will be judged by their overall capacity, infrastructure, cargo handling equipment, connectivity with ports, efficiency, rail & road connectivity, Total storage space, value-added services and customer service.

A Coastal Operator is a ship owner who handles cargo movement among Indian ports. Judging criteria include fleet size, operational services, number of routes, number of vessel calls, expansions and new investments made.

A Freight Forwarder is a forwarding agent who takes care of all transactions, like arranging storage and shipping of merchandise on behalf of clients. A Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC) can also apply under this category. Judging criteria include volume handled, no. of offices, quick cargo movement, high network, reach, quality of customer service, expansions and new investments.

LOGISTICS TECHNOLOGY PROVIDER OF THE YEAR

Logistics Technology Provider offers a unique, innovative and smart technology platform that drives faster shipping, increases profitability, optimises operational costs, and improves customer experience. These companies offer a seamless, online experience to customers by optimising operations across several verticals of the business.

This award recognises a maritime educational institute that offers superior training to seafarers to become more competent and efficient with the best maritime knowledge. Judging criteria include the Institute’s physical infrastructure, real-time exposure, student-centric teaching methodology, quality of education, well-experienced faculty and quality of training, etc.

This award recognises the most impactful and powerful social responsibility and sustainable initiatives of an organisation benefiting communities at large. Judging criteria include responding to natural disasters and calamities, long-term sustainable community building and welfare programmes, skill development and social empowerment.

Nominations are not accepted for the

• The awardee should be involved in a business enterprise
• He/she should either be an Indian citizen or an ordinary resident in India
• There is no restriction on sex, age, or race
• He/She should have been in business for more than five years

The criteria for the Businessman of the Year Award are

• Visionary Leadership
• Development of Inspirational relationships internally and externally
• Paradigm shift in business: Overcoming barriers to success and obstacles to growth
• Strong financial performance results for the last few years
• Significant current business growth achievements; expansions/mergers, acquisitions/joint ventures
• A clear, concise and impactful plan for sustained growth
• Innovation and Differentiation within the Business
• Community Involvement – CSR vision; contribution to employee welfare

This award recognises the young maritime professional/entrepreneur for his exemplary services to the industry while aiming to establish his mark in the business to connect the dots. This also recognises investments made in innovative business ideas by a single individual in any part of the maritime value chain for the betterment of the trade. He/she should either be an Indian citizen or an ordinary resident in India. There is no restriction on sex, age, or race. He/She should have been in business for less than two years.

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

The Lifetime Achievement Award will recognise and promote individuals who have made a significant contribution to the development of the maritime industry over a sustained period of time.

Nominees should have

• Made a positive impact on the maritime sector (at either state/territory or national level)
• 20 years or more of sustained service to the sector
• Earned the respect of professional peers, general acknowledgement as having reached a pinnacle of their profession or industry
• Demonstrated, over an extended period of time, a contribution that has included some key policy areas
• Industry achievement, professional leadership and service to the maritime community
• Personal integrity
• The nominee must be alive at the time of the consideration of the Award, but need not be currently active professionally

*They will be nominated by the editorial board of Maritime Gateway and the Jury