DEVELOPMENT OF TRADE RELATIONS BETWEEN CENTRAL EUROPE AND SCANDINAVIA AS A DETERMINANT CREATING POLISH FERRY SHIPPING MARKET

• Main Authors: Urbanyi-Popiolek, Ilona, Studzieniecki, Tomasz
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agricultural commodities; Competitiveness; Cooperation; Economic models; Economics; Exports; Ferries; Ferry services; Hypotheses; International trade; Ports; Roads & highways; Shipping; Tourism; Trade relations; Transport buildings, stations and terminals; Transportation planning
• ISSN: 1849-6903; 1849-6903

Ferry shipping is well developed in the Baltic Sea Region. Polish ferry market is a prime segment of ferry industry in South Baltic. Services from Polish ports to Sweden determine the carriage of units and wheeled cargo as well as transport of passengers between Continent and Scandinavia. Since Poland and other states have acceded to the European Union, growing foreign exchange between Continental and Scandinavian countries is visible and Polish ferry market has been affected by increasing demand for transport. These services as the only ones in the Baltic Sea have not recorded decline in turnover since 2008. Polish ferry terminals located in Swinoujscie, Gdynia and Gdansk are pointed as transport nodes in Baltic - Adriatic Corridor. Ferry routes from mentioned ports constitute the shortest connections for cargo transported from Central European countries to Scandinavia. These two factors determine the add value and competitiveness of Polish ferry market. The aim of the article is to analyse the trend in foreign trade among the above countries, the market development as well as study the interrelationship between the trade volumes and ferry turnover. The research hypothesis is: the increase in trade between Central Europe and Scandinavia is the prime factor developing the demand for ferry services in Polish shipping market. Detailed research hypothesis is that: the group of factors affecting Polish ferry market are both opportunities and threats for development of ferry traffic. In order to verify the hypothesis, the article is focusing on following aspects: international trade volumes and trends between Scandinavia and Central Europe, potential of Polish ferry market in context of market requirements.