New technologies, new jobs and almost an entire reingineering of the technological processes ask to put the labour force competence of ports in line with labour market demands.A survey of the existing competences of the labour force, the available qualification and training resources, the institutional framework and last but not least the labour force expectations has to be made. To cope market demands with labour force offer in terms of competence, a competency based training has to be set up in a supportive environment.