Port clusters and economic development of ports.

Abstract

The paper argues that cooperation between port authorities has not yet led to consolidation processes, unlike what has happened in other segments of the chain. Some examples of consolidation at the port authority level are given. It is emphasized that consolidation of port authorities will become inevitable as the economy grows, as well as environmental and social pressures. Therefore, an important condition for successful cooperation projects is the autonomy of port authorities. The need for freedom of port authorities to determine the economic justification for cooperation and the ability to influence these processes is justified. influence this process. If this is not justified, the likelihood of success becomes much lower. It is emphasized that, in addition to formal mergers and alliances, there are a number of other ways in which port authorities now cooperate with various stakeholders. Such funds include joint investments in connection with inland territories in environmental programs, initiatives in the «circular economy» that result in port authorities working together with their industrial clusters, in particular to provide new economic targets for waste such as wastewater, which were used to cool industrial installations, since they can be used further for urban heating. In addition to regional cooperation, ports are also interacting with the «trans-ocean» facility. The World Ports Sustainability Program is a partnership between IAPH and several international port development organizations and demonstrating global port leadership that promotes UN sustainable development and port capacity building. Mergers and alliances have been shown to be exceptional, which is related to the institutional context within most port authorities.