Public-private partnership - management model of Croatian seaports

The subject of this research paper is to analyze the possible models of using public-private partnerships in the management of sea ports in the Republic of Croatia. Public-private partnership, as a modern form of cooperation between the public and private sector, enables port systems to increase their efficiency and to base their port services on a commercial arm’s length basis despite the limitations of public funding. The introduction of the private sector in port operations directly affects their management models. The aim of the paper is to point out, through the presentation of different management models of ports and possible forms of public-private partnerships, the differences in the approach of solving the problem of modernization of Croatian ports and achieving their sustainable developments goals. The research results indicate that the timely analysis of the port environment and basic port performance indicators precondition a strategic planning of some Croatian port systems both at regional and national level. In this way, a better implementation of investment projects will be achieved that will contribute to further growth and development of the Croatian port system.