Planning and concession management under port co-operation schemes: A multiple case study of Italian port mergers

Recent governance reforms have driven many ports to introduce innovative co-operation schemes, including the merger of Port Authorities (PAs). Port merger is generally characterized by a certain level of complexity due to the challenges that ports must face within the most critical management processes affected by port amalgamation. This paper aims to identify and analyse the main challenges that might emerge within two of these critical processes: port planning and concession management. This study undertakes a multiple case study analysis of two newly merged PAs: Genoa-Savona, as the major multi-site gateway port in Italy, and Naples-Salerno, which was renamed as the PA of the Central Tyrrhenian Sea. The main findings of both case studies emphasize the existence of challenging areas that may result in either opportunities or threats, which can also depend on the managerial skills of PA organizations.