The functions of the Port Management Office are set forth in Article 77 of the Organic Regulations of the National Institute of Aquatic Spaces (INEA), published in the Extraordinary Official Gazette No. 5,724 dated 08/05/2004:
a. Formulate and propose the establishment of policies and guidelines for the development of the National Port Development Plan and contingency plans regarding port matters.
b. Execute State Policy and monitor the management of the National Port System.
c. Evaluate the Master Plans prepared by port administrations and establish the National Port Development Plan.
d. Prepare diagnostics on the status of the national port system and formulate the action plans and programs to be executed.
e. Maintain updated information on the ports, port-type constructions, port infrastructure, port zones, and port spaces that comprise the national port system.
f. Maintain updated information on the land extension, the demarcation of the operational physical space, and the jurisdiction of each port, determining the areas reserved for expansion and the industrial zones annexed to them.
g. Prepare periodic reports on the evaluation of the national port system, formulating recommendations and proposals for its correction and maintenance.
h. Evaluate applications for concessions, permits, and authorizations to verify compliance with the requirements demanded by Law and provide recommendations regarding their granting.
i. Monitor concession, permit, and authorization contracts for the operation, administration, and maintenance of ports, in order to establish conditions regarding the provision of information and the periodicity of rights payments.
j. Consolidate information regarding cargo and vessel movement, as well as the management reports submitted by port administrations.
k. Collect information on gross revenue collected by port administrations to quantify the amount to be invoiced for rights.
l. Cooperate with port administrations in planning the use of port spaces and in the execution and implementation of studies and projects necessary for the integration of the National Transportation System.
m. Guide port administrations regarding investment and development of new port infrastructure through specific economic policies and guidelines aimed at stimulating private participation.
n. Evaluate requests for the termination of concessions, permits, and authorizations and propose their final disposition, in accordance with the law.
o. Coordinate and supervise the preparation, consolidation, and processing of parameters regarding port statistics, in accordance with the provisions of the Public Function of Statistics Law.
p. Execute functions inherent to the Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic (FAL) and other international port agreements.
q. Prepare proposals regarding the setting of port tariffs and other related activities.
r. Ensure compliance with current environmental regulations applicable to the port sector, in coordination with the Integral Safety and Security Management Office and the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources.
s. Promote the training and professional development of port personnel to guarantee their qualification for the efficient provision of port services.
t. Supervise port administrations in the creation of a registry of human resource supply companies, as well as an auxiliary registry of natural and legal persons performing activities within the port zone other than port operations.
u. Coordinate the execution of international conventions within its scope of competence.
v. Determine the imposition of sanctions resulting from non-compliance with the regulations stipulated in the General Ports Law.
w. Any other functions assigned by laws, regulations, and normative acts.