ABSTRACT
Tankers were a part of the Polish state shipping sector from the 1950s but played a variable part in its prosperity and also concentrated upon two very different markets during the time of the communists - the transport of crude oil and oil products largely for import to the Polish domestic market, and the transport of molten sulphur in both Polish export and in later years, particularly for the crosstrades. Until 1970, and the major reorganisation in the Polish shipping sector, POL was responsible for the operation of a small fleet, but had to pass these over to PZM when the state decided to concentrate both company's activities. It was not until 1970 that any real development in the fleet and its operation took place, when PZM inherited the tanker fleet of POL which at that time still amounted to five vessels of 96,832 dwt.
