This topic deals with the different options now being implemented worldwide in the field of port institutional and operational management. More specifically, it provides examples of legal frameworks under which separation between public statutory duties and commercial market operations can be best carried out, including for infrastructure development and financing, while ensuring economic, environmental and social sustainability. Such separation must come along with adequate, market-responsive regulation and governance from the public administration.

Sample Port Sector Laws & Regulations

Click on a country to display the corresponding law. For copies of laws not available online yet, please send an e-mail to Cornelius Kruk ckruk@worldbank.org.

• Republic of Latvia  (PDF, 240KB), Law on Ports, June 22, 1994.
• Republic of Poland, Bill on Ports and Sea Harbors, December 20, 1996.
• República Oriental del Uruguay, Ley de Puertos.
• The Gambia, The Ports Act, July 1, 1972.
• Mexico, Law of Ports, 1992;
• Mexico, Ley de Puertos, July 19, 1993.
• República de Colombia, Legislacion Portuaria, Ley 1a. de 1991.
• República de Venezuela, Instituto Puerto Autonomo de Puerto Cabello, Compilacion Legal, 1989-1994.

Links to Other Useful Websites for Port Sector Organization
While we hope that that the sites below are of interest, the World Bank is not responsible for the content of external Web sites.

• IAPH (International Association of Ports and Harbors) is a worldwide association founded in 1955, based in Tokyo, Japan. It is sometimes referred as the "United Ports of the World" in which players in the port community are represented to promote and advance the common interest of their community.
  
  
• Report by the UNCTAD secretariat "Guidelines for Port Authorities and Governments on the Privatization of Port Facilities"(PDF, 317KB).

Useful Documents

• The following three European Union key papers on port services in Europe documents were released  in February 2001 The documents are available in both English and French.
  1. European Commission Staff Working Paper on Public Financing and Charging Practices in the Community Sea Port Sector.
     1. English version (PDF 39 KB)
     2. French version (PDF 44 KB).
  2. Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on Market Access to Port Services.
     1. English version (PDF 57 KB)
     2. French version  (PDF 63 KB).
  3. Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council. Reinforcing Quality Service in Sea Ports: A Key for European Transport.
     1. English version (PDF 39 KB)
     2. French version (PDF 44 KB).
        
• Singaport 2000: Challenges in the dot.com Era. Globalization and Partnerships in Ports: Trends for the 21st Century. (PDF 47 KB)
  
• 10th Annual Australasian Summit, Ports, Shipping & Waterfront Reform. Globalization, Privatization & Restructuring of Ports.  (PDF 95 KB) 
  
• Read an introduction and summary of the European Commission transport infrastructure charging policy at the European Union website . The EU White Paper "Fair Payment for Infrastructure Use: A Phased Approach to a Common Transport Infrastructure Charging Framework in the EU" is also available for downloading in multiple languages at this website.
  
• Sea Ports and Maritime Infrastructure. 1997. European Union Green Paper available at the European Union website.

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