Inland Water Transportation in Poland

Abstract

Inland water transportation is an integral part of the general transportation system and therefore it should develop according to the needs of the growing national economy. In Poland, the participation of inland waterways transportation in the total transportation system is exceptionally low. The reason for this situation is the neglect in developing inland waterways in the pre-war years and heavy devastation suffered during World War II. To change this situation, serious investment projects must be introduced, such as contructing dams, canalizing rivers, and modernizing old waterways as well as putting into operation new types of efficient river vessels. One of the most urgent problems to be solved is the optimal use of the potential of the largest Polish river, the Vistula. The result of actualizing these tasks can be numerous and profitable to the national economy. To reach this aim, the comparitively low unit costs of inland water transportation will be of great importance.