ABSTRACT
The basic requirements of Poland's merchant fleet and the maritime economy as a whole remained the same throughout the communist period - to meet the country's requirements in terms of foreign trade by sea; and to contribute to the country's balance of payments. The maritime services balance of payments included dues and liabilities on the account of transport by sea and port service activities. Liabilities included payments of charter freights to foreign owners, freights on foreign flag imports and exports, forwarders and freight commissions and other transport services. The balance of payments for maritime services rose from 93.281 million zloty in 1962 to 118.69 million zloty in 1963, representing a very sizeable rise of 27.2". The merchant fleet was expected to rise to 1.75 million dwt providing for carriage of 15 million tons of cargo, an increase of 76" over 1963.
