Port privatisation in Sweden: Domestic realism in the face of global hype

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to analyse both the port privatisation process adopted in Sweden and the outcomes achieved as a result of that process. An overview of the Swedish economy is provided and the nature and importance of the Swedish port sector in supporting that economy is established. It is also shown that private sector involvement in the Swedish port industry is already quite substantial (particularly in bulk operations), but that the ownership and control of the more important multiuser ports, particularly in the container sector, is already largely devolved to regional municipalities. A focus on the port of Gothenburg is justified on the basis simply of the volumes handled and the importance of its contribution to the national economy compared to the other two ports (Stockholm and Gåvle) where privatisation has been implemented. Through a review of the available literature and a series of confidential interviews with important stakeholders, it is revealed that certain aspects of the port of Gothenburg's privatisation process were flawed. A number of adverse outcomes are analysed that, it is suggested by interviewees, may be directly attributable to the privatisation of the container terminal at the port of Gothenburg.