LLOYD’s List has set aside its traditional awards portfolio for 2020 in order to recognise the exceptional circumstances in which the maritime industry has found itself as a result of the pandemic.

A revised list of categories and criteria has been created to recognise not only high standards in maritime, but also the resilience and innovation shown by the industry in the face of unprecedented adversity.

Two new categories have been included in the Lloyd’s List Awards — Innovation & Resilience in Maritime, to be held in December, to reinforce the theme; Provision of Seafarer Wellbeing and Entrepreneur of the Year.

The seafarer wellbeing award recognises the unique hardships endured this year by those who have played an outsized role in the pandemic, keeping global trade lanes moving in the face of sustained physical and mental burdens placed on them by some states and employers and the virus itself.

In recognising the role of the entrepreneur, we will seek out those who have demonstrated vision and success, turning an idea into reality, finding solutions that address a substantial global challenge, creating new opportunities for the maritime industry, or exploiting a market with a fresh approach.

Lloyd’s List will reward entrepreneurs in each of the Americas, APAC, Europe and SAMEA (South Asia, Middle East & Africa) regions. We will also recognise winners for the Company of the Year category in each of those regions.

This year's awards will also build on Lloyd’s List’s 2019 programme, rewarding the industry’s transition to decarbonisation and recognising best in class environmental management, data and technology innovation, safety and training and a range of other industry disciplines.

The categories are:

• Company of the Year

• Entrepreneur of the Year

• Environmental Management

• Freight Forwarding

• Individual Achievement 

• Maritime Law

• Port Management and Infrastructure

• Safety and Training

• Provision of Seafarer Wellbeing

• Technology & Innovation

We encourage involvement in our awards irrespective of an entrant’s scale or budget. Our independent judges and Lloyd’s List will look for innovation, best practice and flexibility in managing the challenges posed by the effects of the coronavirus crisis.

Recognition will go to those that have best navigated what will be a destructive year for much of the maritime industry, protecting employees and customers and preserving their businesses.