The PNA, as owner and manager of the Ports of Caen-Ouistreham and Cherbourg since the 1st of January 2007, is the Port Authority for both.

The French decentralisation laws dated 3rd August 2004 led to the property transfer by the State of ports referred to as of "national interest" to local authorities or their associated groups.

The Lower Normandy Regional Council, together with the Manche and Calvados départements have consequently joined forces in the form of a specific governance structure, the regional public-private entity of the Ports of Lower Normandy, otherwise known as the Ports of Normandy Authority (PNA), in an effort to boost the performance of both ports and to meet their development challenges.

The PNA ensures the management and development of the port domain, guarantees secure maritime access and defines a sustainable development policy for the two ports:

The Directorate-General (DG) defines the port strategy and organises PNA's activities in consistency with the policies chosen by the authorities.

The Secretariat-General (SG) oversees PNA's financial and legal administration, ensures personnel management and manages the entity's internal operations.

The Directorate for development and the Environment (DAE) draws master plans for port development, plans the associated investments and development work and ensures their completion within the framework of a concerted environmental policy.

The Directorate for Access and Maintenance (DAM) ensures the security of sea and land access (dredging, operation and maintenance of fixed and mobile structures, management and maintenance of port road systems and non-delegated port premises) and is responsible for the management and the development of the non-delegated domain.

The Directorate for Studies and Promotion (DEP) carries out forward-looking studies for the development of port activities and coordinates the communication and promotion of both ports.

The harbour master's offices (CAP) carry out, for each port, their entrusted Port Authority missions, organise the reception of ships and ensure safety throughout the port domain.

The PNA, as delegating Authority for its public-service missions, chooses assignees and concessionaires to conduct operations and ensure the use of equipment within the Ports of Caen-Ouistreham and Cherbourg terminals; Caen Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Port of Cherbourg SAS (Cherbourg Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Louis Dreyfus Armateurs group) respectively.  The PNA monitors such delegations.