116 FOREIGN TRADE ZONES
either on the development of foreign trade or of the Swedish merchant
marine. The lines of imports chiefly in evidence in the free port are
automobiles and dried and fresh fruits. The considerable expansion
of the Swedish merchant marine that has been noticeable in the last
few years is due to other causes.
With the new and easy regulations on bonded warehouse goods
offered importers in the customs harbor, it is now almost immaterial
to an importer or merchant if his goods are discharged in the free port
or in the customs harbor. It only makes a certain difference when,
for instance, a large consignment is to be repacked and distributed
at the importer’s convenience and duty paid in accordance with the
distribution. But with the excellent present shipping facilities offered
importers and merchants, not only between European countries but
also between cross-Atlantic countries, the import of such large consignments,
 stored in the free port and distributed from there, is not so
common as it used to be when shipping facilities were not by far as
developed as they are to-day. A merchant can now get his goods
from almost any country in such a comparatively short time that it
satisfies his customers, without his keeping large stocks on this side.
It is, therefore, not believed that the free port, when only considering
it as a free zone with certain regulations on goods imported or exported
within that free zone, has to any large extent contributed to the very
noticeable development of the port of Gothenburg.
Statistics. —The following statistics show the development of the
free port from the year 1923 up to 1927, inclusive:

Statistics showing the development of commerce and shipping within the free port of
Gothenburg, Sweden

Y ear

UD i i pt
fs Tommmmmnenen
LS ——_—— __ oo Temes
* . © - Teme v

Vessels arrived Vessels departed

|
Number

Net
registered
tons

' Number

Net
registered
tons

1,080
-329
-410
67.
81%

026, 247
1,016, 772
1,073, 202
1,003, 797
f, 283 979

1,075
7, 398
1417
67:
1 815

820, 499
-» 018, 199
1, 074, 262
t, 095, 469
1_9R1. A686

Total

Number

Net
registered
tons

2,155
2, 657 |
2,823
3,345 |
3,632
:

1, 646, 740
2,034, 971
2,147, 555
2, 189, 266
o pas’ 44f

Number of lighters and barges calling at the free port

1923__.
1924___.
1925. cn
FOPB. cc comm mm i
1927.

2, 584
3, 430
2, 813
2, 897
3 256