The Gateway Awards 2026 honour outstanding performance in a wide range of categories. With in-depth categories which cover everything across the value chain of the maritime industry, as well as a wide range of industries will explore the full range of the profession, and provide a comprehensive look at the most exceptional examples of communication in India. With such a scope, the Gateway Awards ensures that achievement in all fields is acknowledged.

 

A Container Port is one that handles containerized cargo as its major cargo, operated by either government or private company. This award recognizes 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 is one that handles Bulk and Break bulk as its major cargo, operated by either government or private company. This award recognizes 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 is one that handles only containers as its cargo operated by either government or private company. This award recognizes 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 is one that handles only containers as its cargo operated by either government or private company. This award recognizes 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 containerized cargo handled, expansion of network, new services, new routes and customer service.

A Shipping Agent is an individual or an enterprise who acts on behalf of a shipping company for 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 custom 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 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 same owner)

CFS Company is a group company that own and operate their own CFSs across India to facilitate the trade with better services. 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 includes 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 includes volume handled, no. of offices, quick cargo movement, high network, reach, quality of customer service, expansions and new investments.

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

This award recognizes the most impactful and powerful social responsibility and sustainable initiatives of organization benefiting communities at large. Judging criteria includes 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 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 or 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 recognizes 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 recognizes 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 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 recognize and promote individuals who have made a significant contribution to the development of 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 which 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 editorial board of Maritime Gateway and Jury