Harbour authorities

A harbour authority is an independent self-governing body that is responsible for safely managing and efficiently running a harbour.

Most harbours are administered by statutory harbour authorities (SHAs), empowered and governed by local legislation which is generally tailored to the particular requirements of the harbour in question.

There are various definitions according to different legislation.

Section 313(1) of Merchant Shipping Act 1995 (MSA 1995) defines 'harbour authority' as including all persons entrusted with the function of constructing, improving, managing, regulating, maintaining or lighting a harbour:

'"harbour authority" means, in relation to a harbour—

1. •

   (a) the person who is the statutory harbour authority for the harbour, or

2. •

   (b) if there is no statutory harbour authority for the harbour, the person (if any) who is the proprietor of the harbour or who is entrusted with the function of managing, maintaining or improving the harbour'

The Department for Transport (DfT) published Guidance on Ports Good Governance in March 2018 for SHAs, whether it is a private port, a trust