ENTER THE AWARDS
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
- When you enter you will be required to register yourself, upon doing so, you will receive an email. Once you've received this please click the 'Activate' link in the email to confirm the set up.
- You will then be able to complete your entry. All entries to the awards are free of charge.
- You can return at any point using your login credentials to manage your account and modify your entry until the closing date.
- To enter the awards please complete an entry form on the website filling out all relevant fields and uploading your PDF submission for each category.
- PDF submissions should be approximately 1000 words fulfilling the category criteria – entries that do not comply will be marked down or rejected.
- Read the description of the category you wish to enter carefully to ensure you are eligible to make an entry.
- Entry deadline for entries: Friday 24 April 2026, 17:00 BST
Airfreight Solution of the Year
This award will be presented for an outstanding project cargo shipment that has been executed by air in the last 12 months. This category can be entered by an airline, operator, forwarder, or as a combined entry from partners on a specific project.
This project solution could include multiple flights or utilise the full capacity of an aircraft. Entries could include examples of bespoke engineering or consider ground handling and equipment challenges.
The judges will be looking for a company or partnership that has demonstrated:
- The timely delivery of a complex project
- Safe and efficient loading procedures
- Customer satisfaction
- A thorough knowledge of the challenges involved in the movement of project cargo by air
- Evidence of how these challenges have been overcome in this specific project
ESG Award
This award will be presented to the company that has demonstrated a considered approach to Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) practices over the past 12 months.
The judges will be looking for evidence of one or more of the following:
- Putting ESG concerns at the forefront of activities
- Compliance with latest ESG regulations, and plans to adhere with future changes to ESG policy
- The establishment of a clear and sound governance structure to review sustainability policies and performance progress against goals and targets
- A company-wide initiative launched in the past 12 months that demonstrates a commitment to improving ESG outcomes.
Entries should include evidence/examples of:
- Specific ESG outcomes that the company has delivered in the last 12 months
- Proactive strategies or initiatives that go beyond basic compliance with ESG requirements
Excellence in Engineering
This award will be presented to the transport engineering team that, during the last 12 months, has demonstrated its ability to overcome unusual transport and installation challenges, using customised engineering solutions and deploying innovative engineering methods to maximise the potential of equipment.
The judges will be looking for evidence of:
- High-quality engineering solutions that demonstrate innovative use of equipment
- The deployment of engineering solutions to improve safety across a project
- Commitment to cost-efficiency and minimised disruption for the client
- Extensive planning and a proactive approach to the client’s request
Innovation Award
This award will be presented to the company that has developed an innovative piece of equipment or technology designed to improve the lift or transport of heavy and oversize cargoes.
The judges will be looking for a product that demonstrates one or more of the following:
- Innovative thinking
- Clear enhancements in handling capabilities and durability
- Improvements in cost and time efficiencies for the customer
- A step forward in terms of technology
Entries should include evidence/examples of:
- Tangible results that can be quantified, qualified and substantiated by examples.
*Entries must be based on an initiative that has been launched and is in use. Concepts will not be considered by the judges.
Lifetime Achievement Award
This award will be presented to the individual that has made a long-lasting impact on the heavy lift, specialised transport and project forwarding industry.
The Lifetime Achievement Award will recognise an individual for a lifetime of innovation and leadership.
Overland Transport Provider of the Year
This award will be presented to an equipment-owning company that has executed an outstanding overland project cargo movement – by road, rail or inland waterway – in the last 12 months. Entries should demonstrate a commitment to the safe, efficient and innovative transport of heavy and oversize project cargoes.
The judges will be looking for:
- The timely delivery of a complex overland project move
- Commitment to improved safety standards across the project
- A thorough knowledge of the challenges involved in the overland movement of project cargo
- Evidence of how these challenges have been overcome in this specific project through the use of equipment, technology or planning
Entries should include evidence/examples of:
- Testimonials from the client
Port / Terminal Operator of the Year
This award will be presented to the port authority or terminal operator that has taken proactive measures over the last 12 months to support/improve the handling of heavy lift cargoes and/or mitigate disruption to capital project delivery.
The judges will be looking for evidence of:
- Safe and efficient handling of oversize cargoes
- Investment in new equipment and facilities for the storing and handling of oversize cargoes
- Maintenance of existing facilities
- Minimised waiting times for customers and examples of how present market volatility is being mitigated for the benefit of users
- Investment in technology to optimise loading procedures
Project Logistics Provider of the Year
This award will be presented to a logistics service provider of any size that has developed its project cargo services to adapt to new market opportunities and challenges, as well as customer demands.
The judges will be looking for evidence of how this development - alongside sound technical capability and high safety standards - has shaped the success of your project forwarding business and prepared your company for the future. They will be looking for examples from the past year that demonstrate what sets you apart from the competition.
Entries should include evidence of:
- Strategy for growth and enhancement of current services
- A deep understanding of your client base and their requirements
- An ability to adapt to changing market conditions
- A considered approach to safety and environmental issues within the organisation
Project of the Year
This award will be presented to a logistics provider for the successful coordination of a large-scale, complex logistics project, involving the delivery of multiple oversize and/or heavy cargoes.
This award can be entered jointly to reflect logistics and/or transport partners or individually if you are the project lead.
The judges will be looking for a project that demonstrates:
- Unique techniques and innovative approaches to overcome project challenges
- The use of multiple transport modes
- The employment of advanced equipment and/or technology
Entries should include evidence/examples of:
- Detailed planning
- Safety considerations
- How efficiencies were realised, or risks mitigated, for the client
- Testimonials from the client
*Entered projects could be ongoing but must have reached a milestone in the past 12 months
Safety and Training Award
This award will be presented to a company that has a comprehensive or innovative approach to safety and training either through day-to-day operations, by providing dedicated programmes and continuous professional development, or launching a specific initiative designed to improve the training or safety in a particular area of operation.
Our judges will be looking for a company or team that has consistently upheld the highest safety and training standards.
Entries should include evidence of one or more of the following:
- A well-considered, consistent and successful approach to training staff in the relevant and up to date safety standards
- A superior safety record and an active commitment to improving standards
- Unique training techniques, potentially utilising new technology or equipment
- Programmes to bring the next generation of professionals into the heavy lift and project logistics business
Entries should include evidence/examples of:
- The success of the safety and training programme
- Testimonials from those that have been trained by the company; clear evidence of progression from those that have taken part in the programme
Ship Operator of the Year – Breakbulk
This award recognises a ship operator that, while not dedicated solely to heavy lift or project cargo, has made a meaningful and consistent contribution to breakbulk transportation – particularly through container ships, ro-ro vessels, general cargo carriers, or smaller multipurpose tonnage.
We are inviting you, the market, to nominate your operator of the year. We’re keen to hear of carriers that demonstrate exceptional service levels, industry-leading operational execution, transparency and reliability in what have been challenging market conditions.
HLPFI will approach nominated carriers to gain detailed insight into their activities, before determining who will be shortlisted.
Sponsored by

Entry deadline for Industry Nominations: Monday 2 March 2026, 17:00 BST
Ship Operator of the Year – Heavy Lift & Project Cargo
This award recognises a ship operator whose core business lies in the transportation of heavy lift and project cargoes.
We are inviting you, the market, to nominate your operator of the year. We’re keen to hear of carriers that demonstrate exceptional service levels, industry-leading operational execution, transparency and reliability in what have been challenging market conditions.
HLPFI will approach nominated carriers to gain detailed insight into their activities, before determining who will be shortlisted.
Sponsored by

Entry deadline for Industry Nominations: Monday 2 March 2026, 17:00 BST