Port authority
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Port Authorities
These forms of special-purpose government are utilized in the United States and in other countries. In the early 2000s special-purpose governments were the fastest growing type of local government in the nation (municipalities were second). Port authorities are tax-free corporations funded by user fees and/or proceeds from tax-free bonds. Their function is typically legally limited to the financing, construction, and operation of facilities and projects involving rivers, lakes, oceans, and other waterways, such as canals, harbors, docks, wharves, and terminals. One hundred fourteen U.S. metropolitan areas had port authorities with varying levels of function and authority in 1987. The oldest port authority in the United States is likely that of Portland, Oregon, established in 1917. The most well-known port authority in the United States is the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, established in 1921. It is exceptional because it serves two different states and because the actions of its governing body may be vetoed by the governors of New York and New Jersey. Sometimes port authority activities have been controversial, for instance over the question of whether port authority autonomy fosters growth and development inconsistent with public goals.
Bibliography
Foster, Kathryn A. The Political Economy of Special-Purpose Government. Washington, D.C.: Georgetown University Press, 1997.
Mitchell, Jerry, ed. Public Authorities and Public Policy: The Business of Government. New York: Greenwood Press, 1992.
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Port authority
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Port authority
For other uses, see Port authority (disambiguation).
In Canada and the United States a port authority (less commonly a port district) is a governmental or quasi-governmental public authority for a special-purpose district usually formed by a legislative body (or bodies) to operate ports and other transportation infrastructure.
Port authorities are usually governed by boards or commissions, which are commonly appointed by governmental chief executives, often from different jurisdictions.[1] For example, in Canada the federal Minister of Transport selects one board member, the local chief executive one, and the rest of the board are at the recommendation of port users to the federal Minister. In Canada all port authorities have a federal or Crown charter called Letters Patent.
Most port authorities are financially self-supporting. In addition to owning land, setting fees, and sometimes levying taxes, port districts can also operate shipping terminals, airports, railroads, and irrigation facilities.
In Mexico the federal government created sixteen port administrations in 1994–1995 called Administración Portuaria Integral (API) in Spanish, as result of the Ley de Puertos of 1993. These are organized as variable capital corporations (Sociedad Anónima de Capital Variable or S.A. de C.V.), with the intent of creating more private investment in a state owned sector.
Numerous Caribbean nations also have port authorities, including those of Aruba, British Virgin Islands, Bahamas, Jamaica, Cayman Islands, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, St. Vincent and the Grenadines.[2]
Central and South America also have port agencies such as autoridad and consorcio (authority and consortium).[citation needed]
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Contents
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Port authorities and districts
The distinction between inland and being marine is occasionally open to discussion. No distinction is made here between river and Great Lakes ports.
Canada
Port authorities
With date of Letters Patent.
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Atlantic
Great Lakes
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Pacific
St. Lawrence Seaway
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Other agencies
- Transport Canada [2]
- St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation [3]
- Canada Ports Corporation
Former agency
United States
Charter date in parenthesis.
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Atlantic
Gulf of Mexico
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Great Lakes / St. Lawrence Seaway
Pacific
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Mexico
Listed from northwest to southeast. API is Administración Portuaria Integral.
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Pacific |
Gulf of Mexico |
Caribbean
- Barbados Port Authority, Barbados
- Grand Bahama Port Authority, The Bahamas
Central America
- Autoridad Marítima de Panamá [26]
- Comisión Portuaria Nacional, Guatemala [27]
- Dirección General de Puertos Empresa Nacional Portuaria, Honduras [28]
- JAPDEVA – Atlantic Port Authority, Costa Rica [29]
Middle East
- Israel Port Authority
- General Organization of Sea Ports, Bahrain
Asia Pacific
- Sri Lanka Ports Authority
- Port of Shanghai
- Port of Singapore
- Port of Kaohsiung
- Port of Niihama
- Port of Kitakyūshū
- Port Qasim Authority
- Gwadar Port Authority
United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom operators of ports and harbours become de facto Port Authorities under several pieces of legislation. Examples include the:-
See also
References
External links
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Gale Encyclopedia of US History
Encyclopedia of American History Copyright © 2006 by The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
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Mentioned in
Public Corporations
(business term)
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
(American history)
Dundalk
(city, Maryland)
Authority Bond
(finance term)
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