After 1870, intercontinental trade expansion converts maritime economy and justifies a new development of the french ports. Le Havre harbour, which is our demonstration, is straight concerned by the new international trade conditions.
The chambers of commerce are locally in charge of port management. They are confronted as well as with ship tonnage increasing and competition than with port modernisation works and financing. A harbour administration reform becomes an absolute necessity but which reform ?
Since begining XXth century, the state is at work. However, there is a gap between what the local comunities wish and the authorities orientations leading to the first 1912 law abandonment.
The first world war is important in the discussions advancement. The winning reform should suit to industialization processing and maintain the hight state authority ont the economic wheels. The june 12th 1920 law describes the rule of autonomy. It means the different port duties grouping all together on a general manager, an administration board decides of the orientations and administers its own budget under ministry control.
The new regime has been applicated to Le Havre on 1925. It is for the harbour an expanding period and the way from market commerce to industrial economy that oil exportation has favoured with important port substructure modification. Le Havre is also a great transatlantic harbour.
Just before the second world war, the autonomy is compromised with political and social naional context.