Abstract
The changes that have taken place in the British ports industry over the past 30 years, in terms of technology, labour relations and productivity, have been enormous; but perhaps the most significant change in the last 10 years has been the profound upheaval in port ownership, management and funding. This article examines how the privatization of British ports is affecting their position in Europe and concludes that British ports risk being sidelined in the Community unless the government adopts a more positive attitude to European transport police. (Author/publisher).