STRATEGIC PORT MANAGEMENT - BETWEEN TRADITION AND REFORM

Abstract

In order to meet the European and global standards in the maritime industry, extensive efforts are required that aim at re-arranging all system components in a logic vision, upgrading the existing infrastructure to an efficient level, protecting the environment, providing security to passengers, stimulating the private initiative, restructuring transport capacities, reshaping cultural awareness of institutions that operate in this sector. Maritime or inland ports have been facing complex issues: fluctuating demand for transport, significant technological changes (container transport, telecommunication, computerization); environmental constraints including global shipping management to support the place of ports, the necessity of a dialogue among all participants involved in port activities as well as compliance with all rules and regulations regarding competition and transparency. Moreover, European transport integration is an issue related to the integration of large dynamic systems that rely on changing the national systems in order to meet the requirements of the European ones, and based on harmonizing the existing infrastructure networks, standards, rules and regulations. At the same time, the strategies that should be adopted require the avoidance of the risk related to the less developed transport systems that may orbit around the developed ones, providing solutions to the issues regarding authority and power in integrate power in integrated logistics systems.