The role of inland shipping in the handling of sea port hinterland

The research shows that in the Western European Countries due to many of its advantages inland shipping plays a significant role in total throughput of cargo in the sea ports. On the other hand, the marine ports significantly affect the supply of cargo mass imposed on the inland waterways. In Poland the inland waterways transport plays a significant role only in the handling of transport needs of the ports Szczecin-Świnoujście. This mode of transport is not used for the cargo transport in the relations with Gdańsk marine port, even though this port is located at the estuary of lower Vistula waterway. The European experience should lead to an implementation of infrastructural investments which would improve the land access to the Port of Gdańsk and an implementation of investments which would allow the adaptation of the port infrastructure to the handling of inland waterways barges.