The awarding of port services to private operators has become one of the most important tools for port
authorities to retain some control on the organization and structure of the supply side of the terminal
market. This paper discusses the awarding of terminals in European ports from an EU legal and policy
context. It also seeks to provide in-depth information on current practices and perceptions of port
authorities around Europe on tendering and contractual arrangements linked to the awarding of terminals.
The relevant issues relate to the terminal awarding processes, the duration of the terminal award contract
and the contract stipulations. The paper also seeks to understand whether the practices are influenced by
factors such as terminal size, the competitive environment in which the port operates and the geographical
location.
