The award recognises the collective efforts of the professionals involved throughout the project's various phases, from technical monitoring and reporting to contract administration and social and environmental management.
Ineco has been awarded the 2026 Development Superheroes Award by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) for its work on the expansion and modernisation of the Paquera Ferry Terminal in Costa Rica.
Managed by the company as the Programme Implementation Unit (PIU) for Costa Rica's Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MOPT), the project received the distinction after being selected as one of six finalists from 162 entries across the region. The award recognises lessons learned from IDB-funded initiatives in Latin America and the Caribbean, highlighting projects that have successfully transformed complex challenges into opportunities for impact, knowledge sharing and replicable solutions.
The Paquera terminal is one of the main maritime links between the Nicoya Peninsula and the rest of Costa Rica. Its modernisation benefits the communities of Paquera, Lepanto and Cóbano, while also supporting tourism in the region. The project has improved vehicle and pedestrian circulation and waiting areas, accessibility, sanitary facilities, signage, as well as lighting and drainage systems.
According to José Antonio Pernas, Project Manager:
"One of the main challenges was ensuring that ferry services could continue operating during the construction works while allowing the new facilities to be brought into use as soon as possible. To achieve this, we agreed that the contractor responsible for the works would also temporarily operate and maintain the terminal while the Administration prepared to take over its management. This allowed us to open part of the facility and begin benefiting from the investment at an early stage."
The award recognises the joint efforts of the professionals involved throughout the project's different phases, from technical monitoring and reporting to contract administration and social and environmental management. Their contribution, together with the work carried out within the MOPT Transport Infrastructure Programme (PIT), the construction supervision team, the contractor and local stakeholders, has been instrumental in delivering practical solutions on the ground.
The project delegation attending the award ceremony in Washington, D.C., comprised Ana Yancy Paniagua, Director of the MOPT Advisory Unit, alongside William Abarca, General Coordinator; Marlon Ledezma, Environmental Specialist; and Esteban Zúñiga, Procurement Specialist from Ineco's PIT Programme Implementation Unit.
A Partnership with Costa Rica Since 2008
Present in Costa Rica since 2008, Ineco currently serves as the implementing agency for two of the country's flagship infrastructure development programmes: the Transport Infrastructure Programme (PIT) and the Road Infrastructure and Public-Private Partnership Promotion Programme (PIV-APP).
Since 2016, the company has been responsible for the comprehensive management of these initiatives, overseeing planning, coordination and supervision across technical, administrative, legal and environmental areas.
Through this work, Ineco contributes to the modernisation of Costa Rica's road and port infrastructure, helping to reduce journey times, improve transport safety and strengthen territorial connectivity through projects such as the Paquera Ferry Terminal, which links communities and supports regional development.
