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.

1. Adams, M., Quinonez, P., Pallis, A., & Wakeman, T. (2009). Environmental Issues in Port Competitiveness.
2. 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.
3. 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
4. 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.
5. 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
6. 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
7. 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
8. Chlomoudis, C., Pallis, P., & Platias, C. (2022). Environmental Mainstreaming in Greek TEN-T Ports. Sustainability, 14(3), 1634. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14031634
9. 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
10. Deloitte, & ESPO. (2021). Europe’s ports at the crossroads of transitions A Deloitte and ESPO Study. Deloitte.
11. 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
12. 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
13. 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).
14. 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).
15. 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.
16. 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
17. 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
18. 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
19. 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
20. 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
21. 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
22. 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
23. 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
24. 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
25. 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).
26. 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).
27. 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
28. Lam, J. S. L., & van de Voorde, E. (2012). Green Port Strategy for Sustainable Growth and Development.
29. 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
30. 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
31. 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
32. Macário, R. (2014). Public-private partnerships in ports: where are we. Port Infrastructure Finance. Routledge, Abingdon; pp. 55–68.
33. 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
34. 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
35. Notteboom, T., & Lam, J. S. (2018). The Greening of Terminal Concessions in Seaports. Sustainability, 10(9). https://doi.org/10.3390/su10093318
36. 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
37. 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.
38. 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.
39. 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
40. 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
41. 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
42. 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
43. 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
44. 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
45. 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
46. 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
47. 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
48. 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.
49. 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).
50. 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
51. 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).
52. 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).
53. 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
54. 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
55. 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).
56. 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).
57. 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
58. 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
59. 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
60. 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