Concession agreements (CAs) in the port sector are designed to establish mutually beneficial arrangements for involved parties. They serve as catalysts, enabling ports to attract adept private investors and secure requisite funding to enhance port infrastructure, superstructure, and service quality. Concurrently, the imperative to mitigate negative externalities and promote sustainable practices in port organization and development remains paramount. In this context, the paper explores the nuanced landscape of CAs, specifically focusing on the urgent need for an innovative framework that integrates sustainability within port organization, operations and development. Drawing from existing academic discourse and field evidence, it systematically identifies, examines, and analyzes fundamental requirements and key factors that should be considered in CAs, in line with sustainable development and proposes a reference framework for an ideal Concession Agreement model. Despite evident strengthening of sustainability implications in port concessions, significant room for improvement persists. Nevertheless, dynamics in the field create a certain optimism for the future.

Adams, M., Quinonez, P., Pallis, A., & Wakeman, T. (2009). Environmental Issues in Port Competitiveness.

Baltazar, R. & Brooks, M. R. (2001). The governance of port devolution. A tale of two countries. In: Proceedings of the 9th World Conference on Transport Research (CD-Rom), Seoul.

Brooks, M. R., & Pallis, A. A. (2008). Assessing port governance models: process and performance components. Maritime Policy & Management, 35(4), 411–432. https://doi.org/10.1080/03088830802215060

Brooks, M. R. & Cullinane, K. (2007). Governance models defined. In: Devolution, Port Governance and Port Performance, Brooks, M. R., Cullinane, K. (editors). London: Elsevier; pp. 417–448.

Brooks, M. R. (2004). The governance structure of ports. Review of Network Economics: Special Issue on the Industrial Organization of Shipping and Ports, 2(2), 169–184. https://doi.org/10.2202/1446-9022.1049

Cabrera, M., Suárez-Alemán, A., & Trujillo, L. (2015). Public-private partnerships in Spanish Ports: Current status and future prospects. Utilities Policy, 32, 1–11. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jup.2014.11.002

Chen, H. C., & Liu, S. M. (2014). Optimal concession contracts for landlord port authorities to maximise fee revenues. International Journal of Shipping and Transport Logistics, 6(1), 26-45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trb.2020.03.010

Chlomoudis, C., Pallis, P., & Platias, C. (2022). Environmental Mainstreaming in Greek TEN-T Ports. Sustainability, 14(3), 1634. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14031634

Davarzani, H., Fahimnia, B., Bell, M., & Sarkis, J. (2016). Greening ports and maritime logistics: A review. Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, 48, 473–487. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trd.2015.07.007

Deloitte, & ESPO. (2021). Europe’s ports at the crossroads of transitions A Deloitte and ESPO Study. Deloitte.

Di Vaio, A., & Varriale, L. (2018). Management innovation for environmental sustainability in seaports: Managerial accounting instruments and training for competitive green ports beyond the regulations. Sustainability (Switzerland), 10(3), 1–35. https://doi.org/10.3390/su10030783

Di Vaio, A., Varriale, L., & Alvino, F. (2018). Key performance indicators for developing environmentally sustainable and energy efficient ports: Evidence from Italy. Energy Policy, 122, 229–240. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2018.07.046

European Sea Ports Organization (ESPO). (2021). ESPO Green Guide 2021. A manual for European ports towards a green future. Available online: https://www.espo.be/media/ESPO Green Guide 2021-FINAL.pdf (accessed on 14 November 2023).

European Sea Ports Organization (ESPO). (2010). European port governance. Report of an inquiry into the current governance of European sea ports, prepared by Patrich Verhoeven, Brussels. Available online: https://www.portosdeportugal.pt/UserFiles/espofactfindingreport2010.pdf (accessed on 14 November 2023).

European Union. (2014). Directive 2014/23/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 2014 on the award of concession contracts. Official Journal of the European Union, L94/1(28.3.2014), 1–64.

Ferrari, C., Parola, F., & Tei, A. (2015). Governance models and port concessions in Europe: Commonalities, critical issues and policy perspectives. Transport Policy, 41, 60–67. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tranpol.2015.03.012

Ferrari, C., Puliafito, P. P., & Tei, A. (2019). Dynamics in terminal concessions: the role of performances. Maritime Economics & Logistics, 21(1), 99–110. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41278-017-0073-9

Fraser, D., Mpikeleli, T., & Notteboom, T. (2020). A valuation approach of port funding strategies with application to a container terminal concession in Sub-Saharan Africa. Maritime Business Review, 6(2), 147-172. https://doi.org/10.1108/MABR-12-2019-0057

García-Onetti, J., Scherer, M. E. G., & Barragán, J. M. (2018). Integrated and ecosystemic approaches for bridging the gap between environmental management and port management. Journal of Environmental Management, 206, 615–624. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2017.11.004

Han, W., Liu, S. M., & Chen, H. C. (2020). Optimal concession contracts for landlord port authorities under incomplete information. Transport Policy, 96, 113-127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tranpol.2020.05.022

Hossain, T., Adams, M., & Walker, T. R. (2019). Sustainability initiatives in Canadian ports. Marine Policy, 106, 103519. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2019.103519

Hossain, T., Adams, M., & Walker, T. R. (2021). Role of sustainability in global seaports. Ocean & Coastal Management, 202, 105435. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2020.105435

Housni, F., Boumane, A., Rasmussen, B. D., et al. (2022). Environmental sustainability maturity system: An integrated system scale to assist maritime port managers in addressing environmental sustainability goals. Environmental Challenges, 7, 100481. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envc.2022.100481

Housni, F., Maurady, A., Barnes, P., et al. (2021). Indicators for monitoring and assessment of Environmental management systems in ports. E3S Web Conf., 234. https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202123400055

Indian Ministry of Shipping, Road Transport & Highways. (2021). Model Concession Agreement for Private Sector Projects in Major Ports. Department of Shipping (Ports Wing). Available online: https://ppp.worldbank.org/public-private-partnership/library/model-concession-agreement-major-ports-india (accessed on 8 January 2024).

Juhel, M. H. (2017). Container Terminal Concession Guidelines. Africa Transport Policy Program (SSATP). Available online: https://www.ssatp.org/sites/ssatp/files/publication/SSATPWP107%20-%20web.pdf (accessed on 8 January 2024).

Kuznetsov, A., Dinwoodie, J., Gibbs, D., et al. (2015). Towards a sustainability management system for smaller ports. Marine Policy, 54. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2014.12.016

Lam, J. S. L., & van de Voorde, E. (2012). Green Port Strategy for Sustainable Growth and Development.

Laxe, F. G., Bermúdez, F. M., Palmero, F. M., & Novo-Corti, I. (2017). Assessment of port sustainability through synthetic indexes. Application to the Spanish case. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 119(1), 220–225. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.03.064

Lim, S., Pettit, S., Abouarghoub, W., & Beresford, A. (2019). Port sustainability and performance: A systematic literature review. Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, 72, 47–64. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trd.2019.04.009

López-Navarro, M. Á., Tortosa-Edo, V., & Llorens-Monzonís, J. (2015). Environmental Management Systems and Local Community Perceptions: The Case of Petrochemical Complexes Located in Ports. Business Strategy and the Environment, 24(4), 236–251. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.1817

Macário, R. (2014). Public-private partnerships in ports: where are we. Port Infrastructure Finance. Routledge, Abingdon; pp. 55–68.

Monios, J., & Bergqvist, R. (2015). Intermodal terminal concessions: Lessons from the port sector. Research in Transportation Business & Management, 14, 90–96. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rtbm.2014.09.002

Notteboom, T. (2006). Chapter 19 Concession Agreements as Port Governance Tools. Research in Transportation Economics, 17, 437–455. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0739-8859(06)17019-5

Notteboom, T., & Lam, J. S. (2018). The Greening of Terminal Concessions in Seaports. Sustainability, 10(9). https://doi.org/10.3390/su10093318

Notteboom, T., Pallis, A., & Rodrigue, J. P. (2021). Green port governance. Port Economics, Management and Policy, 340–355. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429318184-29

Notteboom, T., & Verhoeven, P. (2010). The awarding of seaport terminals to private operators: current practices and viewpoints in European ports. European Transport: International Journal of Transport Economics, Engineering & Law, 45, 83–101.

Oblak, R., Bistričić, A., & Jugović, A. (2016). Public-private partnership—management model of Croatian seaports. Management: Journal of Contemporary Management Issues, 18(1), 1–23.

Özispa, N., & Arabelen, G. (2018). Sustainability issues in ports: content analysis and review of the literature (1987–2017). SHS Web of Conferences, 58, 01022. https://doi.org/10.1051/shsconf/20185801022

Panayides, P. M., Lambertides, N., & Andreou, C. (2017). Reforming public port authorities through multiple concession agreements: The case of Cyprus. Research in Transportation Business & Management, 22, 58–66. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rtbm.2016.10.002

Pallis, A. A., Notteboom, T. E., & De Langen, P. W. (2008). Concession agreements and market entry in the container terminal industry. Maritime Economics & Logistics, 10, 209–228. https://doi.org/10.1057/mel.2008.1

Pallis, A. A., Notteboom, T. E., & de Langen, P. W. (2015). Concession Agreements and Market Entry in the Container Terminal Industry BT—Port Management. Palgrave Macmillan UK. In: Haralambides H. E. (editor). pp. 195–220. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137475770_10

Panayides, P. M., Parola, F., & Lam, J. S. L. (2015). The effect of institutional factors on public-private partnership success in ports. Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, 71, 110–127. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tra.2014.11.006

Puig, M., Azarkamand, S., Wooldridge, C., et al. (2022). Insights on the environmental management system of the European port sector. Science of The Total Environment, 806, 150550. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150550

Puig, M., & Darbra, R. M. (2019). The Role of Ports in a Global Economy, Issues of Relevance and Environmental Initiatives. World Seas: An Environmental Evaluation Volume III: Ecological Issues and Environmental Impacts, 593–611. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-805052-1.00034-6

Puig, M., Raptis, S., Wooldridge, C., & Darbra, R. M. (2020). Performance trends of environmental management in European ports. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 160, 111686. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111686

Puig, M., Wooldridge, C., Michail, A., & Darbra, R. M. (2015). Current status and trends of the environmental performance in European ports. Environmental Science & Policy, 48, 57–66. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2014.12.004

Styliadis, T., Angelopoulos, J., Leonardou, P., & Pallis, P. (2021). Promoting Sustainability through the assessment and measurement of Ports ‘Externalities: A Systematic Literature Review and future research paths. In: Proceedings of the IAME 2021, 29th Conference of the International Association of Maritime Economists.

The World Bank (2007). Port Reform Toolkit, Second Edition. Module 4: Legal tools for Port Reform. Available online: https://www.ppiaf.org/sites/ppiaf.org/files/documents/toolkits/Portoolkit/Toolkit/pdf/modules/04_TOOLKIT_Module4.pdf (accessed on 8 January 2024).

Theys, C., Notteboom, T. E., Pallis, A. A., & De Langen, P. W. (2010). The economics behind the awarding of terminals in seaports: Towards a research agenda. Research in Transportation Economics, 27(1), 37–50. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.retrec.2009.12.006

United Nations—Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). (2016). Model Agreement Development of a Dry Port under PPP mode. Volume-II of the Final Report is the Model Agreement for development of a dry port project under PPP mode in Asia-Pacific region. Available online: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CAIQw7AJahcKEwjI8q3wrLGAAxUAAAAAHQAAAAAQAg&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.unescap.org%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2FVolume%2520II%2520-%2520Model%2520Agreement%2520-%2520Dry%2520Port%2520PPP.pdf&psig=AOvVaw0LTvgHEHGR3DkQ-cKXaMul&ust=1690630415179639&opi=89978449 (accessed on 18 November 2023).

United States Agency for International Development (USAID). (2018). Port Agreement Templates. Available online: https://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PA00THCT.pdf (accessed on 8 January 2024).

Van Hooydonk, E. (2022). Seaport PPPs in the EU: Policy, Regulatory, and Contractual Issues BT—Handbook on Public Private Partnerships in Transportation, Vol I: Airports, Water Ports, Rail, Buses, Taxis, and Finance. In: Hakim, S., Clark, R. M., & Blackstone, E. A. (editors). Springer International Publishing. pp. 129–152. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-83484-5_8

Wiegmans, B., Mouter, N., Vanelslander, T., & Verweij, S. (2022). Public-Private Partnerships in Port Areas: Lessons Learned from Case Studies in Antwerp and Rotterdam BT—Handbook on Public Private Partnerships in Transportation, Vol I: Airports, Water Ports, Rail, Buses, Taxis, and Finance. In: Hakim, S., Clark, R. M., & Blackstone, E. A. (editors). Springer International Publishing. pp. 107–128. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-83484-5_7

World Bank Group. (2009). Sample Port Concession Agreement. Available online: https://ppp.worldbank.org/public-private-partnership/library/sample-port-concession-agreement-civil-law (accessed on 18 November 2023).

World Ports Sustainability Program. (2020). World ports sustainability report 2020. Available online: https://sustainableworldports.org/wp-content/uploads/WORLD-PORTS-SUSTAINABILITY-REPORT-2020-FIN.pdf (accessed on 18 November 2023).

Zhang, Q., Geerlings, H., El Makhloufi, A., & Chen, S. (2018). Who governs and what is governed in port governance: A review study. Transport Policy, 64, 51–60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tranpol.2018.01.019

Zhang, Q., Zheng, S., Geerlings, H., & El Makhloufi, A. (2019). Port governance revisited: How to govern and for what purpose? Transport Policy, 77, 46–57. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tranpol.2019.03.001

Zheng, S., Ge, Y. E., Fu, X., et al. (2020). Demand information sharing in port concession arrangements. Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, 138, 118–143. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trb.2020.03.010

Zhou, Y., & Kim, K. H. (2021). Optimal concession contract between a port authority and container-terminal operators by revenue-sharing schemes with quantity discount. Maritime Policy & Management, 48(7), 1010–1031. https://doi.org/10.1080/03088839.2019.1707314