Privatization Port Management Open to the Private Sector Algeria will separate ports' public services and commercial services to allow private operators to be involved as stipulated by article 891 of law 98-05. Three regional port authorities have been set up to manage the public service activities in the nation's ports and will handle services such as cleaning and the preservation of public domain areas in ports. Meanwhile, the government has officially opened competition for commercial activities to any public or private enterprises.
Companies seeking to operate a commercial activity can be domestic or foreign.
Among the commercial services open to competition are handling operations, towing, etc. These commercial services should certainly hope to earn substantial revenues as the government is liberalizing large commercial activities. Four enterprises have already declared that they will invest in maritime services such as shipping, passenger transport and ferry services, cable servicing, etc. But the head of the Algerian port authority said that the issuance of authorizations and licenses will be subject of transparent procedures and all partners, including labor unions, will be allowed to follow the process. Algeria's ten largest ports are subject to new measures allowing the private sector to handle specific activities.