What Are The Functions Of Port?

Within the port system, one or more organizations perform the following roles:

• Landlords for private entities offering a variety of services.
• Regulator of economic operations and activity.
• Regulator of maritime security, safety, and environmental control.
• Planning for capital investment and future operations.
• The operator of maritime services and facilities.
• Marketers and promoters of port services and economic development.
• Cargo Storers and Handlers.
• Provider of ancillary activities.

Given the strategic importance of the land, the port property is rarely sold to private parties due to its direct and indirect effects on the regional and often national economy and public welfare, its intrinsic value, and potential scarcity.

Therefore, a key role for many port authorities is that of the landlord, with the responsibility of managing the real estate within the port area. This management includes sustainable development, economic exploitation, and maintenance of basic port infrastructures, such as berths, fairways, access roads, and tunnels.

Port authorities often have broad regulatory powers relating to both port operations and shipping. The authority is responsible for enforcing conventions, laws, rules, and regulations. Generally, as a public organ, it is responsible for the observance of conventions and laws regarding public safety and security, the environment, navigation, and health care.

Port authorities also issue port bylaws, which contain a number of rules and regulations regarding the behavior of ships in port, use of port areas, and other issues. Often, extensive police powers are also delegated to the port authority.

The planning function of a port authority in coordination with the municipality is a complex matter, especially for major ports located within or near a city. The port planner has to consider:

Continuity of the plans with the general conditions of land use as prescribed by the competent authority.

Impact of port development proposals on the immediate environment (traffic, environment, facilities, and roads).

The suitability of Ports of Napa development proposals in the context of regional, national and international port competition.

Actual port services and the balance of supply and demand are at the level of the port authority and individual port firms. Therefore, the development of realistic investment projects for infrastructure and superstructure should be initiated at these levels. Investment plans of industrial and commercial port operators or projects for specific cargo handling, storage, and distribution must be integrated at the port authority level to arrive at a strategic master plan for the port.

Individual master plans can be integrated into the national port policy taking into account the macroeconomic considerations. The integration of individual master plans will help avoid duplication of costly, technologically advanced facilities when different ports in a national system try to attract similar customers as well as ensure the selection of suitable locations for specific port facilities which will connect sea and land transport systems.