Different types of port ownership and administrative regimes Free Essay Example, 2500 words

The port of Holyhead in Wales is an example of a company-owned or private port. It is wholly-owned by Sealink, handling about two million passengers annually with services operated from Holyhead by B&I Line to Dublin and Sealink (or Stena Link) to Dun Laoghaire. (Hooydonk 2003, p. 43) Sealink operates the port and its facilities and have often implemented policies that benefit the company’s ferry operations. The port authorities of Rotterdam, is an example of a municipal administration for which an elected government representative overseas the port administration. The city government is responsible for the port strategy including an investment programme, among other efforts. W. G. Salet, Anton Kreukels, and Andy Thornley (2003) explained this in detail: The Rotterdam port and port economy in circles of the national government made it possible to take a number of necessary measures and to safeguard the smooth functioning of this world port. The most important factor here seems to be the continuing solid association of the harbour barons and captains of the port with each other and with the strong municipal authority. (p. 195) The strong municipal government involvement in Rotterdam port administration stems from the fact that the city’s economy is closely tied to the health of the port. We will write a custom essay sample on Different types of port ownership and administrative regimes or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/pageorder now Unlike Amsterdam, Rotterdam is incapable of attaining sufficient economic strength and of attracting other economic activities apart from those related to the seaport during this last 10-15 years. This is expressed in the ongoing outmigration of people and businesses to other regions since 1980s due to the weakening activities in the Rotterdam port, particularly in its shipbuilding industry. (Salet, Kreukels and Thornley, p. 195) State Ports The common concession that the coastal state should be accorded exclusive authority to prescribe policy and administration of a specific port is based on the principle that the state has a clearly predominant interest in the facility. (MacDougal and Burke 1987, p. 156) State ports follow a central port administration such as those in Southern Europe and much of South America wherein the national government controls all main ports or that various layers of it act as partners in the administration of ports. This is also the case in most ports in the United States. While there is no centralized ports administration, various levels of federal, state and local administration are in place. Control and ownership is normally vested in three levels: central or national (e. g.