Western Port Policy

25 Jun Western Port Policy

Bennathan and Walters have argued that though ports may be working under diverse conditions, they are either functioning under the European (Continental) Doctrine or under the Anglo-Saxon Doctrine. Under the Continental Doctrine the port is viewed as part of the social infrastructure. Its value is measured in terms of its contribution to the growth of the region and not necessarily in terms of profitability. Ports are regularly created with the support of public funds. Alternatively, under the Anglo-Saxon Doctrine they do not pursue regional or national interests. Rather, they are supposed to be financially self-sufficient and make a profit. That is, they are supposed to operate under liberal business principles. Constitutional limits on federal involvement in U.S. port activities have prevented the formation of a national port plan and strategy there. As a consequence the governance of major U.S. ports falls to various local and state public entities with the majority of them being administered by public port authorities. The rationale for such public involvement is the concept of the port as serving a common trade artery for the lawful users of waterfronts and also the development of commerce.