The maritime economy in Poland in 2023–2024 underwent one of the most significant stages of transformation in decades – seaports recorded dynamic growth in the general cargo and container segments, while traditional Baltic fisheries shrank to historically low levels. The latest data from Statistics Poland (GUS) show a sector full of contrasts: ports are growing faster than most Baltic competitors, aquaculture maintains stable production, and the shipbuilding industry defends its position through specialization and yacht exports. At the same time, fisheries and some branches of bulk transport operate under regulatory pressure and global environmental trends. As a result, the Polish maritime economy stands today on the brink of a structural shift that will shape its competitiveness for years to come.
Table of Contents
The Maritime Economy in Poland 2023–2024 – Structural Analysis and Trends
1. Importance and Structure of the Maritime Economy
The maritime economy in Poland in 2023–2024 remained one of the most complex and extensive segments of the national economy, combining transport, logistics, manufacturing, and service functions. According to GUS data, this sector demonstrated resilience despite global turbulence, maintaining a stable structure of entities and an increasing role of seaports in handling international trade. In 2024, a total of 19,281 maritime economy entities operated in Poland, with the largest concentration located in the Pomeranian Voivodeship, which accounted for as much as 42.1% of the industry.
The high concentration of activity in the Pomerania region results from both maritime economy traditions and the strategic port infrastructure in Gdańsk and Gdynia. Both ports handle key cargo streams, attracting logistics, forwarding, manufacturing, and service companies, creating local multiplier effects. As a result, Pomerania remains a competence hub for the maritime sector and one of the most important economic nodes in Poland. The maritime economy also significantly influences the West Pomeranian and Kuyavian-Pomeranian regions, which benefit from the proximity of Szczecin and Bydgoszcz.
2. Employment and Wages in the Sector
According to 2024 data, the number of people working for the maritime economy reached 166,445, reflecting the sector’s stability despite global changes in transport and logistics. Most employees were hired by entities with more than 500 workers, indicating the dominance of large enterprises operating in port, transport, and shipyard areas. This highly specialized environment attracts technical personnel, operators, logisticians, and engineers, contributing to rising wage expectations.
The average monthly gross salary in the maritime economy in 2024 amounted to 8,992.49 PLN, significantly exceeding the national average. This difference results from the high share of positions requiring technical and specialist qualifications, especially in ports, shipyards, and technology companies supporting the logistics base. Although capital-intensive, the sector remains labor-intensive in operational areas where automation progresses but still cannot fully replace human labor. This suggests continued wage pressure in the coming years.
3. Investments and Fixed Assets
In 2023, investment expenditures in the maritime economy amounted to 5,929.6 million PLN, confirming the sustained importance of expanding and modernizing infrastructure. Notably, as much as 61.5% of all investments came from the private sector, reflecting growing investor confidence in the long-term potential of Polish ports and related industries. These investments were mainly directed toward port infrastructure, fleet, logistics facilities, and technological modernization.
The value of fixed assets in the sector remained stable, indicating ongoing renewal and modernization investments. Minor fluctuations confirm that the maritime economy is not experiencing abrupt changes in assets but rather developing gradually. In the context of global port competition, especially from Northern Europe, maintaining high-quality infrastructure becomes a key factor in building competitive advantages.
Seaports and Trade Exchange
4. Seaports as a Pillar of Polish Trade
Seaports in Poland play a key role in shaping national trade, and their development in 2023–2024 was among the most dynamic elements of the maritime economy. The main ports – Gdańsk, Gdynia, and Szczecin-Świnoujście – account for the overwhelming majority of handled cargo, serving as strategic nodes in European transport corridors. Changes in cargo structure reflect the transformation of the Polish economy, with the declining role of bulk goods and growing importance of general cargo and containers. This trend aligns with Europe’s broader shift toward port specialization and intensified intermodal transport.
In 2024, significant declines were recorded in bulk cargo, especially dry bulk, which fell from 10,064.9 thousand tons to 7,727.0 thousand tons – a decrease of over 23%. This results partly from structural changes in the energy sector and reduced coal imports, but also from lower global demand for raw bulk materials. Meanwhile, the general cargo segment increased to 12,046.7 thousand tons, strengthening the role of Polish ports as hubs for high-value goods.
Seaports in Poland are adapting infrastructure to changing market needs, investing in new quays, ro-ro terminals, storage yards, and operational automation. They are also expanding container-handling capabilities, leveraging growing trade with Asian and Scandinavian markets. Such investments allow Polish ports to compete with major Baltic ports like Copenhagen-Malmö or Gothenburg. This gradual transition from raw-material ports to comprehensive logistics centers enhances their resilience to global demand fluctuations.
5. Container and Ro-Ro Traffic – Dynamic Port Segments
One of the most dynamic trends in Polish ports in 2024 was the growth of container traffic, a key indicator of port system modernization. Gdynia handled 962.5 thousand TEU, representing an impressive 10.2% year-on-year increase, strengthening its position as Poland’s second most important container hub. The rising share of large containers indicates a growing role of high-value supply chains, especially in manufacturing, e-commerce, and advanced technologies.
Szczecin reported a different situation, with container traffic reaching 75.3 thousand TEU – an 11.8% decrease. This decline partly stems from competition with Świnoujście port and limitations related to waterway depth, restricting access for larger vessels. However, the port continues to serve a key regional function and is developing its feeder container segment serving North Sea ports.
The ro-ro segment is also growing rapidly, up 12.9% year-on-year to 2,878.1 thousand tons. This growth is linked to the expansion of automotive transport, commercial vehicle shipments, and increased capacity at ferry terminals. Poland is becoming an important link in supply chains from Scandinavia to Southern Europe. However, ports must expand operational areas and modernize road infrastructure to accommodate growing ro-ro volumes.
Fisheries, Aquaculture and Shipbuilding
6. Marine Fisheries – A Sector Under Heavy Pressure
Marine fisheries in Poland entered a clear phase of decline in 2024, as confirmed by catch levels and fleet size. Total catches of fish and other marine organisms reached 130.7 thousand tons, an 18.5% decrease from the previous year. The sharpest decline occurred in Baltic catches, which dropped to 75.5 thousand tons – 20.5% less than in 2023 and as much as 44% less than in 2015.
The decline results from a combination of environmental, regulatory, and economic factors. Strict cod-fishing limits and pressure to protect the Baltic ecosystem reduce fishing activity. Meanwhile, rising operational costs – fuel and vessel maintenance – are becoming unsustainable for many small operators, prompting a gradual market exit.
In 2024, the fishing fleet included 721 vessels, a significant drop from 824 in 2023. This confirms ongoing contraction in fleet size, power, and gross tonnage – down 9.1% and 4.2%, respectively. Importantly, the average fleet age increased to 36.3 years, indicating continued aging and declining competitiveness compared to other EU countries.
7. Aquaculture – Untapped Potential and Stable Output
Although aquaculture remains a relatively small segment of the maritime economy, it is gaining importance amid declining marine catches. In 2023, Poland produced 36 thousand tons of farmed fish – a 3.2% annual decrease. Production remains highly concentrated, dominated by rainbow trout (50.1%) and carp (49.2%).
Polish aquaculture has significant growth potential, aligned with Europe’s rising demand for farmed fish. To fully leverage this potential, the sector requires technological modernization and species diversification, including marine species farming. A key challenge is maintaining high environmental standards, increasingly important in EU fisheries policy.
Compared with other EU countries, Poland’s aquaculture output remains modest – a challenge but also an opportunity. With proper support, including investments in RAS (recirculating aquaculture systems), Poland could expand its share of farmed fish production. Growing demand for ecological and certified fish products indicates that aquaculture may become one of the pillars of the fisheries sector’s transformation.
8. Shipbuilding Industry – Between Tradition and Global Pressure
The shipbuilding industry in Poland remains an important but varied segment of the maritime economy. Data show that in 2023–2024, shipyards recorded mixed results depending on the type of vessels produced – growth occurred primarily in the yacht and recreational boat segment, while large ship construction progressed more slowly. Poland is one of Europe’s leading producers of recreational boats, exporting them globally.
Competition from Asia in the large-vessel segment forces shipyards to specialize in niche and highly complex projects. Increasingly important are offshore wind vessels, research ships, tugs, and port service vessels. Polish shipyards are also expanding capabilities in modernization and repair, which provide stable revenue amid fluctuations in newbuild demand.
However, shipyards face challenges such as shortages of skilled workers and rising material and energy costs. Collaboration with maritime universities and investments in production automation may help rebuild competitiveness. At the same time, offshore wind development in Poland may significantly increase demand for new vessels, offering shipyards a long-awaited investment impulse.
Maritime Tourism, Education and Development Outlook
9. Maritime Tourism – Steady Recovery and Rising Popularity
Maritime tourism experienced a clear recovery in 2023–2024, reaching 563.9 thousand passengers in international traffic in 2024. This represents a modest but important 1.6% year-on-year increase, confirming Poland’s continued attractiveness for ferry tourism. Traffic is particularly strong on routes to Sweden and other Scandinavian countries, where operators report growing demand for passenger-car services.
Development of ferry infrastructure, including upgrades at terminals in Gdynia and Świnoujście, enhances travel comfort and reduces passenger and vehicle handling times. This strengthens the role of these ports as gateways connecting Poland with key destinations in the Baltic region. Maritime tourism also benefits from rising mobility among Poles and growing demand for short “city break” trips. Planned investments in terminals and ferry units may further expand this segment’s potential.
10. Maritime Education – Growing Importance of Technical Skills
Maritime education in Poland maintains a stable position, while demand for maritime and logistics professionals grows domestically and internationally. Universities such as the Gdynia Maritime University, Maritime University of Szczecin, and maritime training centers prepare specialists in navigation, mechanics, logistics, and port management. Increasingly important are programs in maritime technology, automation, and offshore wind – a sector with sharply rising labor needs.
The growing importance of maritime education stems from global shortages of seafarers and technical specialists, offering Poles competitive opportunities on the international job market. As the shipping sector undergoes digital transformation, universities are expanding programs in autonomous navigation systems, cybersecurity, and data analytics. In the coming years, the role of maritime education may grow further thanks to investments in offshore wind and port-logistics infrastructure.
11. Strategic Challenges and Directions of Transformation
One of the key challenges for Poland’s maritime economy is the changing cargo structure, which requires port infrastructure adaptation, especially in the context of intermodal transport development. The declining importance of bulk cargo, including coal, drives investments in general cargo, container, and ro-ro terminals. At the same time, high-value supply chains increase ports’ responsibility for efficient, digital, and low-emission logistics services.
Another challenge is the condition of Baltic fisheries, which requires systemic support, fleet modernization, and aquaculture development as an alternative to fishing. EU trends suggest a shift toward more sustainable, automated, and certified food-production methods. For Poland, this means increasing innovation in fish farming and optimizing water-resource use.
The third strategic area is the future of the shipbuilding industry, which must compete with global leaders through specialization, automation, and niche segment development. Offshore units, research vessels, electric ferries, and advanced aluminum constructions offer natural growth paths for Polish shipyards. State and EU support, particularly in programs related to the energy transition, may accelerate modernization and boost competitiveness.
12. Development Outlook for Poland’s Maritime Economy
The development prospects of the maritime economy in the coming years are generally positive, provided that investments in infrastructure, logistics, and technology are maintained. Ports in Gdańsk and Gdynia have the potential to become major logistics hubs in the Baltic Sea region, especially given growing trade with Scandinavia and Asia. The development of intermodal transport, including port railway connections, may further increase throughput and reduce cargo-handling times. Maintaining competitiveness, however, requires continuous modernization of human and infrastructural resources.
The fisheries and aquaculture sectors will be influenced by EU environmental policy and diversification of income sources for fishers. Growth in aquaculture and RAS systems may partly offset declining catches and create new jobs in coastal regions. At the same time, Poland may increase its role in the European fish-product market if it implements modern production and processing methods.
In shipbuilding, a key opportunity is the development of offshore wind energy. Demand for new vessels, specialized equipment, floating structures, and wind-farm support services may create hundreds of jobs and attract significant investment. With the right strategy, Poland can become a regional center for offshore technologies.
