MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION ON THE POLISH OCEAN LINES AND THE POLISH STEAMSHIP LINES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00810A006400470009-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 21, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 27, 2008
• Sequence Number: 9
• Publication Date: May 12, 1955
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2008/08/27: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA006400470009-4
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
INFORMATION REPORT
S-E-CAE-T
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COUNTRY Poland
REounmENT No. RD
THE SOURCE EVALUATIONS IN TINS WONT ARE DEFINITIVE.
THE AFFSMSAL OF CONTI T IS TWATIVE.
(FOR .RE= AN RISC
ships took place on 1 January 1955 , when the followi ng chatlget were made s
a. PLO (Polish Ocean Lines) will services
1 All regular long-distance voyages.
2) The Gdynia-London line with the S. S. DABR(%SKI, and Probably
the Gdynia-Hull line with S.S. LECH.
3) The Gdynia-Rotterdam-Antwerp line w. th two ships.
b. FZM (Pblish Steamship Lines) will service:
1) All regular lines in the Baltic and North Sea.
2) All tramp vessels, irrespective of their length of run.
3) The 8scsecin-London-Rouen line with the Y.S. DUN JRG, and
the Szczecin-London-,Antwerp-Rostock-Eismar line with the Y.S. S N*
2. In connection with the above reorganization, the PZM has already taken
over the tramp ship *ISIA from the PLC). It has still not been dedided what
is to be done with the ELBIAG which, before she was damaged., plied regularly
on the Mediterranean line but was regarded as a tramp.
30 The ships being transferred have to be handed over complete with crews, but
the PEA is actively against this. The PZM, on the other hazed-, is very
anxious that this should be enforced as they have no suitable reserve crews.
Expansion of the PZU offices in Szczecin (Stettin)
!~. Consequent to the PZH taking, ever new ships, an increase of office personnel
has become necessary, partioulArly in-the exploitation and inspection
departments (dock and engtn. inspector:).
12 May 1955
Change in exploitation of PLO and PZU ships
1. A reorganization affecting the exploitation of Polish Merchant Marine
S-Fr-C-R- E-T
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Miscellaneous Information on the Polish DATE DISTR.
Ocean Lines and the Polish Steamship Lines
NO. OF PAQU 3
1 ARMY NAVY AIR I FBI A&C
(NOT& Waddeebn dfrNw lsn' W&okd by "3r; PMId awrawl .. by "*".)
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This expansion is in contradiction to the struggle being waged in Poland
against. an inorsasing bureaucracy. The Pte[ office staff had already been
oonaid.rabls and had exceeded its own real needs. The excessive comber of
personnel is illustrated by the following figures:
Ships in exploitation 25
$.&-going personnel 650
0ffioe personnel 550 to 600
At present the 1 directorate and administrative offices occupy a three-
story building smith 80 rooms. The building is overcrowded it th an sewage
of sewn or sight employees to each roam. As the PZX directorate expects
to take on approximately another 200 employees, it is looking for a Urger
building which will be able to accommodate the entire office staff.
Withdrasal of. "authorisations" for unqualified officers
79 There are many so-called officers serving in the Polish Merchant Nevins
only on the strength of "authorisations" issued and extended every siz
months by the Maritime Board. These individuals do not possess the :ro.ssary
officer qualfications, and it is mostly such officers, appointed to special
posts by "social promotion", who hold the above-mentioned authorisatians?
The Ministry of Navigation has ordered the withdrawal of all authorisations
as of 1 Ja*azy 1955. If officers, occupying posts by virtu of "social
promotions" have not by that time succeeded in passing the. necessary
examinations, then they will have to give up their positions as officers.
Personnel changes in the Central Administer on o the Polish Merohsnt
Marine kGXM)
90 The post of director of the CZPMH was hold Mlodsimi?rs 3synarosralki until
November 1954 .Ne
was replaced by.:ft*ian.. Qronbiaki, former director o
Skorupinsld was appointed director of the PZI[.
Swnges introduced bz now director of PZM
100 1 fine for disregarding work 'discipline was introduced. A first officer
on a PZM ship had two days' foreign currency allowance deducted as a fin. for
leaving the'ship daring her stay in Sscs?oin (Stettin) one hour before the
end of working basis (1700 hre). The ship's master, who allowd the officer
to finish west earlier, was fined by the deduction of one day's foreign
currency allowsmoso
-
lie An order forbi ag the sale of American cigarettes free of duty to arm s
was also put into effect. According to this order, ships' canteens will
receive cl girl ttss Only from Poland, the USSR and the Satellites ? The
reason for this oider is stated to be: "Seamen used A*e idan cigarettes not
only for =a.king but in many cases for 'purposes of sp.Qulation..
Cigarettes are Imported for free foreign currency which is ne?a?t more for
the realisa#iop.of other economic requirements of our country." 047
the ship's aigtir "is entitled to be in possession of, foreign oigas+sttes VP
to within )*].f of his representational allowance, for disposal as h.. t#ri*s
fit* As tsar as possIbl? he should, however, use Polish or Russian oigarettH
or those. pedwod by other People' a Democracies"
The new dirs.tgr" Marian Skorupinski, has become very unpopular among the
crews as a result of the introduction of these rulings.
13? Seagoing pe raonmel of the Polish Merchant Marine have, until now r.osived a
foreign Currency allowance for each day away from a Polish port, in addition to
their normal moathly salary. This supplement, reckoned in dollars, mar paid 3t
the currency of. the country of their port of call.
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114.
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For any supplement not drawn, sea-going personnel were given a chit, on
the production of which they could buy various goods free-of-duty at
Balton shops.
It is alleSed that) effective 1 April 1955, foreign currency supplwents
will be drastically reduced. The difference between the present and the
new rates will be paid to seamen in Polish currency. This prospect is causing
considerable discontent amongst sea-gciag personnel, as it will asks it
iiffioult for then to buy many things abroad which they could sell in
Poland at a good profit.
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