In order to further facilitate the development of port facilities in the areas of this State bordering on the tidal reaches of the Delaware river and bay and to further the development of commerce and industry in this State, the South Jersey Port Corporation is hereby authorized and empowered to enter into lease agreements with private marine terminal operators whereby the marine terminals established, acquired, constructed, rehabilitated, improved, owned, operated or maintained by the corporation may be operated and maintained by such private marine terminal operators. The exercise of this power to lease marine terminals shall be in the uncontrolled discretion of the corporation, and nothing in this act is to be construed as requiring the leasing of any marine terminal by the corporation.
N.J.S. § 12:11A-9