Port authority

A port authority is the statutory body that manages a port, holding powers over navigation, pilotage, conservancy, dues, and often land. Governance models vary: a landlord port owns the land and infrastructure and leases terminals to private operators under concession; a tool port owns the assets but lets operators run them with their own labour; a service port owns and operates everything. The landlord model, common at large container ports, separates public infrastructure from private cargo-handling competition.