A Broader View of Port Governance

A Broader View of Port Governance

Source: adapted from Brooks M.R. and Pallis A.A. (2012). Port Governance. In: Talley W.K. (ed.). Maritime Economics – A Blackwell Companion. Blackwell, 232-267.

Ports are critical infrastructure for an economy as their management, operations, and development are capital intensive, consume (public) scarce land use, are associated with externalities (noise, emissions), and involve many stakeholders (port authority, terminal operators, rail operators, trucking companies, logistics providers, port-cities, etc.). Due to the latter, developing a governance model for a port requires a broader vision that considers addressing relationships within the port and its economic and operational parameters. At the same time, it also allows for the weighting and consideration of several social and cultural variables linked with port operations and developments. Once decided, governance principles apply to all relationships between businesses and their shareholders, governments and citizens, public/private agencies and stakeholders, port authorities, other organizations, and those who establish them to undertake activities on their behalf.