But if the goal was to attract industries, they would be seeking fast and cost-effective transportation. And this could be accomplished by more effective use of existing terminals than by building their own. Once built, assets can be used against you. International trade will continue to mandate adequate port capacity. But ports and their governing authorities need to ensure that pursuit of business is governed by sound economic principles.
Some ports do an excellent job being accountable to taxpayers.
Other ports arrange to exempt themselves from the basic scrutiny of Freedom of Information inquiries. The public deserves to know what isallegedly being done for its benefit. Theodore Prince is senior vice president of sales and marketing at Kleinschmidt Inc., an electronic-commerce provider.