Changing public port management in the Hamburg-Le Havre range

Abstract

Recent trends in trade liberalisation and globalisation of the world economy have a significant impact on seaborne trade and ports. As a results of these developments, the traditional view on public port management is changing. In the paper recent and anticipated developments in public port management in the Hamburg - Le Havre range are examined. The classification refers mainly to formal aspects and shows a wide variety in public port management. A closer look at the real situation shows differences in port policy even within the same institutional setting. So, the diversity in public port management not only concerns the institutional factors but also the pursued port policy. Additionally, the (future) European sea port policy is described. The purpose of the newly published Green Paper on Sea Ports and Maritime Infrastructure by the European Commission, is launching a wide ranging debate on individual port issues and possible future policies. At the heart of this policy lies the introduction of market principles in infrastructure and the development of a uniform approach to ensuring that the full costs are charged to the users. Ultimately, a situation of free and fair competition must be achieved. The paper shows that a shift towards greater private participation in port activities, in particular those of a commercial nature, is already evident.