Kobe: The Kenya Ports Authority’s ‘Mangrove Restoration for Ocean Protection and Increased Forest Cover Project’ has emerged as the winner of the 2025 International Association of Ports and Harbours (IAPH) Sustainability Awards. The announcement was made during an awards ceremony at the IAPH World Ports Conference in Kobe, Japan. This comes after a meticulous judging process by IAPH’s independent jury of industry experts and KPA’s well-calculated public vote campaign to galvanise support for the project.
According to Kenya News Agency, the KPA project topped the Environmental Care category after beating two other finalists from a record-breaking pool of 500 global submissions. The award recognises KPA’s collaboration with coastal communities to restore degraded forest ecosystems. The project impressed the judges by demonstrating how ports’ collaboration with local communities and other government agencies can empower communities and support the conservation of the environment and marine biodiversity for sustainable port operations.
Under the programme, KPA has worked closely with communities in the coastal region to rehabilitate degraded mangroves. Mangroves are salt-tolerant trees and shrubs that grow in intertidal zones along tropical and subtropical coastlines. They are vital to coastal ecosystems, acting as a buffer against storms and erosion, supporting rich biodiversity, and combating climate change by storing carbon.
The initiative has resulted in expanded mangrove cover and a healthier coastal ecosystem, creating ideal conditions for fish breeding and contributing to the socio-economic well-being of the communities. This project forms a key pillar of the ‘Green Ports Policy’, a strategic framework adopted by KPA to implement sustainable port management. The policy aligns Kenya’s maritime sector with international climate commitments.
The green policy integrates Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG) principles into KPA’s operations, reinforcing Kenya’s dedication to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It also targets the transition to renewable energy sources, modernization of port infrastructure with green technology, cutting carbon emissions, and the protection of marine and coastal ecosystems.
In his acceptance speech, KPA Managing Director Capt. William Ruto expressed delight, stating that the accolade was a great honor for KPA. He emphasized the significance of the Mangrove Restoration project, highlighting its role in community survival and livelihood improvement through ventures like seaweed and fish farming. The MD reiterated KPA’s commitment to transforming ports into eco-friendly hubs that power economic growth in East Africa through the Green Ports Policy and SDGs.
The World Ports Sustainability Program run by IAPH fosters international cooperation and enhances sustainability efforts of ports worldwide. The program runs six key categories, demonstrating ports’ efforts to apply the UN SDGs and integrate them into their businesses. KPA has once more earned international acclaim, following their previous win in 2019 for the Tunahusika Corporate Social Investment project.
