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SVN Solovelanet Global
Harbours
French harbours
An analysis of the differences between Italy and France
W
hen it comes to sailing, the count-
ry to watch is undoubtedly France.
Here we find the most important
manufacturers of sailboats in the
world, with over 12,000 boats pro-
duced per year, 45,000 jobs in the shipbuilding indu-
stry, 5,100 companies and more than 200,000 moo-
ring berths. The system created by this impressive
apparatus has helped to ensure that more and more
people are getting involved with sailing. Harbour in-
frastructure plays an important role in this system.
Until 1983, all French harbours were under direct
state management and considered a public service.
At present and with decentralization, the manage-
ment of harbours has been split between different
state authorities. Harbours which cater mainly to
tourists are managed, maintained and developed by
the local municipality (ports de plaisance). Fishing
ports, commercial harbours, and marinas are under
the jurisdiction of Regions and Departments.
As compared with Italy, France still has many public
harbours, and these are managed very differently
from those in Italy. In France, the municipality esta-
Above the
municipal port
of Portofino,
here aside,
the Marina of
Lavagna in
Ligury
by Giuseppe Acunzo
