Port Infrastructure and State Aids: In Search of a Coherent EU Policy

I. Introduction The ownership, organization and administration of ports vary considerably, not only among Member States but also within them. Although many ports continue to operate under state control, in recent years a distinct trend has developed towards greater private participation in financing of ports in relation to the past. The result is that the funding of many port facilities and infrastructure is increasingly in the realm of the private sector, while public authorities tend to restrict themselves to the financing and operation of the facilities necessary for the safe and efficient operation of the port as a whole. Meanwhile, more and more ports seek to develop more active economi...