Torang FIROOZI - MSC on physical oceanography MSC on port management (from World Maritime University in Sweden) Expert on coast engineering (In coast & ports engineering department) Expert on port affairs (In Deputy of Port Affairs department)

Utmost development in shipping and information system results in terminals to adopt them to the changing environment so that to survive among competitions. Terminals are well aware of the situation, and the world trade today needs fast and reliable services from total logistic chain, so terminals cannot be isolated. Time after time decisions has to be made for reliable, efficient and low cost services as well as onward connection to get the optimum output results. On the other hand environment at concerns conservative policies and pressure from the nearest neighbours (cities, competitors) makes it more complicated. Apart from those, other ports facilities seem to rely on the terminal and make things mix up with the vital activities of the terminal (operation, etc). Therefore, there is a proven tendency that terminals are isolating and demanding more autonomy (either private or public) just to get the fully customer satisfaction and profitability at the end. In this article, the impact of these changes on terminal operation as well as the reasons for such changes is considered.