- Port authority
In
Canada and theUnited States a port authority (less commonly a port district) is a governmental or quasi-governmentalpublic authority for aspecial-purpose district usually formed by a legislative body (or bodies)to create and support economic development within that area.Port authorities are usually governed by boards or commissions,which are commonly appointed by governmental chief executives, often from different jurisdictions. [http://aapa.files.cms-plus.com/PDFs/governance_uscan.pdf History of the Port Authority movement and ports governance in the U.S. and Canada] ] 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 theintent 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. [http://www.aapa-ports.org/About/CorporateMembers.cfm AAPA members] ]
Central and South America also have port agencies such as "autoridad" and "consorcio" (authority and consortium).
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.
Central America
* Autoridad Marítima de Panamá [http://www.amp.gob.pa/]
* Comisión Portuaria Nacional, Guatemala [http://www.cpn.gob.gt]
* Dirección General de Puertos Empresa Nacional Portuaria, Honduras [http://www.enp.hn]
* JAPDEVA - Atlantic Port Authority, Costa Rica [http://www.japdeva.go.cr]Middle East
*
Israel Port Authority Asia Pacific
*
Port of Shanghai
*Port of Singapore
*Port of Kaohsiung
*Port of Yokohama United Kingdom
*
Port of London References
See also
*
American Association of Port Authorities
*List of North American ports
*Municipal Authority (Pennsylvania)External links
* [http://www.washingtonports.org/port_information/port_districts.htm Washington Ports - What is a port district?]
* [http://www.portofallyn.com/id2.htm Port of Allyn - Port district FAQ]
* [http://www.iaphworldports.org/ International Association of Ports and Harbors]
* [http://www.aapa-ports.org/ American Association of Port Authorities]
* [http://www.iwr.usace.army.mil/ndc/wcsc/portton03.htm Largest ports in the U.S. from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers]
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