According to Brit Hume, Dubai Ports World now owns the terminal contract and has said they will sell their interest to an American entity. Since Dubai outbid all others for the business, I take that to mean that no American company could finance the deal and therefore the American taxpayer will now be subsidizing some USA company to take over. This was not the finest hour for Republicans in either house. For both Republicans and RATS to be consistent, there must now be a full review of all terminal contracts involving foreign involvement and American ownership forced through on the same basis as objections to the Dubai deal. Being a realist, I will not hold my breath for such to happen.
I agree with your take on the outcome. The reasons no American companies have bid on these leases are; high tax burdens, burdensome regulations (enviro-wacko and others), union problems and egregious tort law. All of which do not effect foreign companies, at least to the extent they would an American company. Congress made these laws and regs and aren't about to reverse them.
So, you're right. One way or the other Congress will have the taxpayer make up the slack. It will be far less efficient so it will cost more than DPW would have spent. There will be new layers of bureaucracy so security will ultimately be lower.