Entries open for boot Düsseldorf’s 2027 Ocean Tribute award

Entries are now open for boot Düsseldorf’s Ocean Tribute award, which celebrates international research projects, innovative concepts and startups in the marine conservation space.

Founded in 2018 by the trade fair organisers and the German Ocean Foundation, previous winners of the marine conservation award include a variety of international projects.

Applications will be assessed by a panel of experts according to the criteria of effectiveness, participation and networking. Five nominees will then go forward to a public vote, in which anyone can take part online. The winner, as determined by the jury and public vote, will be honoured on 26 January 2027, during the trade show at Düsseldorf City Hall by Lord Mayor Dr Stephan Keller and prominent presenters. The winner will receive €20,000 in prize money for their projects.

The award’s format shifted in 2020 from honouring multiple winners to recognising a single standout recipient each year. The diverse alumni of past winners highlights the global nature of the accolade:

• 2020: Sea Women of Malaysia
• 2021: Codemar (Mexico) – NGO
• 2022: Heliorec (France) – Eco-friendly electric charging infrastructure
• 2023: Innovation Yachts (Austria)
• 2024: ECOP Africa (Early Career Ocean Professional)
• 2025: Sealabs (Europe) – Marine data analysis
• 2026: One Ocean Planet Foundation (Spain) – Ocean literacy and children’s educational programmes. 

Interested marine conservationists can apply for the Ocean Tribute Award 2027 online.

The award’s expert jury includes Shamim Wasii Nyanda (founder of the Doors of Hope Foundation), Leonie Beck (open-water swimmer and olympic athlete), Monika Breuch-Moritz (meteorologist, Maritime Ambassador for the IMO – International Maritime Organization), prof. em. Dr Michael Orbach (anthropologist, leading US advisor on maritime policy), prof. em. Dr Hartmut Graßl (chair of the Association of German Scientists, former director of the MPI for Meteorology), Robert Marx (president of the European Boating Industry – EBI – and boot Düsseldorf) and Marius Berlemann (COO Messe Düsseldorf).

Exhibitor registration for boot Düsseldorf 2027 opened in May, ahead of the event taking place from 23 to 31 January 2027 at Messe Düsseldorf.

The award underpins boot’s long-standing commitment to marine conservation. Together with the German Ocean Foundation, it supports projects dedicated to the future-oriented protection of the oceans in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.