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The European Union (EU) institutions have discussed but failed to agree on a proposal for a ‘port services’ directive that would introduce free market access to port services provision. This paper examines the impact that this EU policy initiative could have on Greek ports. A reform towards port devolution has characterised the national port policy since 2002. The paper analyses the responses of the first post-reform CEOs to a questionnaire on the draft EU proposal, in order to establish whether this temporary EU policy failure would work in favour of Greek ports. The research findings suggest that the adoption of an EU regulatory framework would reinforce the quality of services provided by Greek ports and advance an essential restructuring of the Greek port system, on the condition that it takes into account the specific local characteristics. By linking these results to the existing literature on port competitiveness and the current structures of Greek ports, the paper explains why Greek port authorities have endorsed a positive approach to the general aims of the proposed directive. Maritime Economics & Logistics (2005) 7, 116–140. doi:10.1057/palgrave.mel.9100132

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Purpose Going beyond the usual approach of measuring port performance – focusing on the efficiency of port operations – this paper aims to look into shipping lines and other port users’ perceptions on port performance. Design/methodology/approach The paper develops a framework measuring the perceptions of port users (i.e. shipping companies, shippers, etc.) on port performance. A typology of elements that shape port users’ perceptions has been developed with an eye on capturing the peculiarities of different port markets. Based on this typology, a tool to assess users’ perspectives, and subsequently evaluate, any given port has been developed. The tool provides port authorities the flexibility they need for customized approaches. The developed evaluation mechanism has been tested on a group of European seaports, and the results are presented by this study. Findings The framework and its pilot application unveil the key parameters that port users take into consideration when evaluating the effectiveness component of port performance. Moreover, the importance and evaluation ratings of specific performance parameters allow for a GAP analysis of the collected data. Research limitations/implications The paper advances scholarly and practical discussion on how of port users’ perceptions can be a valuable tool for port performance measurement. Practical implications The proposed tool can be a valuable add-on for port authorities to evaluate their performance from the port users’ point of view and take the necessary actions to improve it. Also, the tool can be used for the evaluation of a new process, infrastructure. The evaluation of port users’ perception of port performance can and must be part of a European ports observatory, as it is a set of indicators that clearly reflects the satisfaction of port users by engaging their view on port performance issues, instead of relying almost exclusively on port-generated data. Originality/value The paper develops a framework for measuring port user’s perception on port performance, which is flexible and can be applied in any port.