2025 STA ANNUAL AWARDS: RECOGNISING MR ERWIN VERSTRAELEN (PORT OF ANTWERP-BRUGES) AND THE “RECORAIL BARRIER” BY ROAD STEEL BY GONVARRI (SPAIN)
As every year, STA honours leading innovators from around the globe who are making significant contributions to the advancement of transport infrastructures through the STA Innovation Awards.
This year, we are celebrating the 10th edition of the STA Annual Conference & Innovation Awards, held within the European Transport Conference 2025 and we are thrilled to announce the two important awardees that have been selected as recipients of the 2025 STA Innovation Awards. The awardees will participate in the STA Awards Ceremony, which will take place at the Stadscampus Building R at the University of Antwerp on 17 September 2025 from 13:00 to 13:30 CEST.
Person of the Year: Mr Erwin Verstraelen
This year the Person of the Year Award goes to Mr Erwin Verstraelen, Vice-President of Innovation at Port of Antwerp-Bruges (Belgium). Mr Verstraelen has an extensive theoretical and practical background in transport economics and innovation consulting. He has been recognised for his clear strategic vision and ambition for digitising the port, driving significant advancements in both port operations and global logistics. He was the recipient of “Belgian CIO of the Year” in 2018 by ICT Magazine Data News. Also, Mr Verstraelen was named “European Digital Leader of the Year 2020” (public sector) by CIONET.
Best Innovation Solution: RECORAIL (Road Steel by Gonvarri)
The award for the Best Innovation Solution Award goes to RECORAIL, the innovative road barrier made from non-recyclable plastic, produced by Road Steel by Gonvarri. RECORAIL is designed using recycling and circularity principles, contributing to road safety and environmental sustainability by reducing emissions, eliminating recycling waste, and reusing waste materials. STA honours the RECORAIL for leading the way toward decarbonised, circular, and reusable safety barriers, as it provides a concrete example of how the private sector aligns with the EU principles, including the European Taxonomy and the European Green Deal, promoting both environmental and societal benefits.
During the STA Awards Ceremony, participants will have the opportunity to gain insights into the innovative approaches of the awardees and learn about their cutting-edge activities in transport infrastructures.
Join us this year in Antwerp and be part of the conversation! Register for free via the link below.
The final agenda will be announced soon.