The 2012 José de Azas Award ceremony hosted by the Cantabrian Association of Civil Engineers to recognise the new fishing port and marine in Laredo built by FCC, considered by the panel of judges to be the most brilliant piece of engineering work since the year 2009, took place today at the Santander Conference and Exhibit Hall.

The award winners included the Director of the Project, Antonio Bocanegra Diego (civil engineer); the author of the plans, José María Berenguer Pérez (civil engineer), the Marina de Laredo, ASCAN-FCC joint venture and the promoter, Puertos de Cantabria. Avelino Acero, Managing Director of FCC Construcción accepted the award from Enrique Conde Tolosa, Dean of the Cantabrian Association of Civil Engineers.

The award is a bronze medal designed by De la Hoz. The award is named in honour of José de Azas Llanderal-Valdés (1784-1861) who was born in Laredo and was the first citizen of Cantabria to receive a formal degree in civil engineering.

Port of Laredo

The New Port of Laredo, next to the old port and the old quarter of the city, bordered by a curved pier measuring slightly more than 700 m long at the north end and protects two harbours - one for fishing and one for recreational craft, from the waves. It was inaugurated in 2011. 700 m

The port, intended to accommodate recreational craft and fishing boats, has a fishing harbour and a recreational harbour with docks and the old port's moorings. The port can accommodate 857 boats distributed among 12 docks prepared for draughts of 6, 8, 10, 12, 15, 18 and 20 metres. It is equipped with the most highly advanced services such as a 50 t travelift and parking for 420 vehicles.

It covers a total area of 377,000 square metres. The project had a budget of 77 million euros, 46 million of which were provided by Puertos de Cantabria and the remaining 31 million by the concession holder. The New Port of Laredo will create more than 500 new jobs thanks to the nautical-recreational and fishing installations.