The new Italian port authority system explained

Rome, Italy (PortSEurope) June 25, 2017 - On September 2, 2016, new legislation on the Italian Port Authority (AdSP) was issued, regulating not only the central AdSP but also its territorial offices. The purpose of the new legislation is to make the Italian port system compatible with European Union regulations of 2013. A single national port authority was created, as well as the establishment of a “front office” for all administrative procedures related to commercial and industrial activities performed at Italian ports. In addition, the law creates the “Partnership Mechanism for Maritime Resources,” and the territorial offices of the AdSP. New provisions also seek to provide a holistic approach to environmental and sustainability issues at Italian ports. (Entra in vigore la riforma delle Autorità Portuali/The Reform of the Port Authority Enters Into Effect) The AdSP is a public, not-for-profit entity of national importance, subject to a specific legislative and regulatory regime and with administrative, organizational, regulatory, fiscal, and financial autonomy. The Ministry of Infrastructure and Transportation oversees the AdSP, and the National Court of Auditors controls its accounts. Legislation provides that the planning of port system activities must be made in accordance with energy and environmental sustainability criteria and the applicable European Union directives. In particular, the reduction of CO2 emissions with the authorities monitoring all planned activities, in order to achieve energy and environmental efficiency goals. Among the functions to be exercised by the AdSP are: (a) the planning, coordination, regulation, promotion, and control of port operations and services, including the issuance of authorizations of use and concessions for commercial and industrial activities; (b) the maintenance of common areas of the ports, including the seabed; and (c) coordination of the administrative activities of other entities and public organs located port and seaside areas. The Management Committee, one of the main bodies of the AdSP, is appointed and presided over by the President and exercises the power to grant concessions for a period not exceeding four years; the Management Committee is also in charge of hiring minor ordinary maintenance and construction workers. Management Committee members include representatives appointed by regional and local authorities. Representatives of each port may also attend Management Committee meetings. The Management Committee also appoints a Secretary General, upon the proposal of the President. The AdSP may establish a decentralized administrative office in each province whose officers perform the responsibilities of the Management Committee in that region for a four-year term that may be renewed once. The Ministry of Infrastructure and Transportation appoints the three members of the College of Account Auditing, who serve for a four-year term. The College’s tasks include the review of all accounting records of AdSP authorities and of the entities and individuals who conduct business with the AdSP authorities. The legislation creates an institution called the “Partnership Mechanism for Maritime Resources,” which includes all the authorities of the AdSP. The Partnership is composed of representatives of shipowners; industrial entrepreneurs; freight forwarders; agents and maritime consignees (intermediaries who hold property on behalf of another); haulers; and logistics service providers, rail operators, workers of companies, and the tourist or commercial agents operating in the port. The law creates in each port a Consultative Commission, composed of representatives of the public and private sectors, to provide non-binding advice to AdSP bodies. The AdSP also administers a Single Administrative Window (SUA in Italian), as an administrative tool to carry out all administrative procedures and issue authorizations. The execution of port works is subject to a Master Plan for the Port System approved by the competent authorities. The Master Plan comprehensively regulates the ports of the Italian port system, including areas destined for industrial production, and of the related road and railroad infrastructure, among other aspects. The AdSP Management Committee carries out the environmental evaluation of the Master Plan in consultation with the relevant municipalities. (Id. art. 6(1)(c).) The law allows regional authorities to request that the central authorities amend current regulations to allow the administration of a port with national or regional economic relevance be transferred to the respective region. The full list of proposed amalgamation of Italian port authorities:1) Western Ligurian Sea Port Authority (Autorita’ di Sistema Portuale del Mar Ligure Occidentale), Genoa (Headquarters), integrating Savona, Vado Ligure 2) Eastern Ligurian Sea Port Authority (Autorita’ di Sistema Portuale del Mar Ligure Orientale), La Spezia (Headquarters), integrating Marina di Carrara 3) North Tyrrhenian Sea Port Authority (Autorita’ di Sistema Portuale del Mar Tirreno Settentrionale), Livorno (Headquarters), integrating Piombino, Portoferraio, Rio Marina 4) Centre-North Tyrrhenian Sea Port Authority (Autorita’ di Sistema Portuale del Mar Tirreno Centro-Settentrionale), Civitavecchia (Headquarters), integrating Fiumicino, Gaeta 5) Central Tyrrhenian Sea Port Authority (Autorita’ di Sistema Portuale del Mar Tirreno Centrale) Naples (Headquarters), integrating Salerno, Castellamare di Stabia 6) Strait Port Authority (Autorita’ di Sistema Portuale dello Stretto), Gioia Tauro (Headquarters), integrating Crotone, Corigliano Calabro, Taureana di Palmi, Villa San Giovanni, Vibo Valentia, Reggio Calabria, Messina, Milazzo, Tremestieri 7) Sardinian Sea Port Authority (Autorita’ di Sistema Portuale del Mare Di Sardegna), Cagliari (Headquarters), integrating Olbia, Porto Torres, Golfo Aranci, Oristano, Portoscuso-Portovesme , Santa Teresadi Gallura 8) Western Sicilian Sea Port Authority (Autorita’ di Sistema Portuale del Mare di Sicilia Occidentale), Palermo (Headquarters), integrating Termini Imerese, Porto Empedocle, Trapani 9) Eastern Sicilian Sea Port Authority (Autorita’ di Sistema Portuale del Mare di Sicilia Orientale), Augusta (Headquarters) integrating Catania 10) Southern Adriatic Sea Port Authority (Autorita’ di Sistema Portuale del Mare Adriatico Meridionale), Bari (Headquarters), integrating Brindisi, Manfredonia, Barletta, Monopoli 11) Ionian Sea Port Authority (Autorita’ di Sistema Portuale del Mar Ionio), Taranto (Headquarters) 12) Central Adriatic Sea Port Authority (Autorita’ di Sistema Portuale del Mare Adriatico Centrale), Ancona (Headquarters), integrating Falconara, Pescara, Pesaro, San Benedetto del Tronto, Ortona 13) Centre-North Port Authority (Autorita’ di Sistema Portuale del Mare Adriatico Centro-Settentrionale), Ravenna (Headquarters) 14) Northern Adriatic Sea Port Authority (Autorita’ di Sistema Portuale del Mare Adriatico Settentrionale), Venezia (Headquarters), integrating Chioggia 15) Eastern Adriatic Sea Port Authority (Autorita’ di Sistema Portuale del Mare Adriatico Orientale), Trieste (Headquarters) Source: Gazzetta Ufficiale della Repubblica Italiana Library of Congress Copyright (c) PortSEurope. All Rights Reserved. 2017.

The new Italian port authority system explained

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The new Italian port authority system explained

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