118 FOREIGN TRADE ZONES

Proposals for the construction of a free port in Malmo were presented
 as far back as 1882, but the necessary legislation was not
carried through until 1907 and it was not until then that the plans
for the free port could be taken up for discussion in earnest. Extensive
 investigations were carried out and a uniform plan was drawn
up relative to extensions in the future. In 1917 the Government
sanctioned the construction of a free port in Malmo and the same
year the work was commenced.
In excavating the basin and entrance channel filling material was
procured for the reclaimed land. Nearly a million cubic meters of
clay, sand, and chalk have been dredged from the bottom of the sound.
These dredging operations have been fraught with great difficulty
owing to the fact that, to a,great extent, the work has been carried
out in the lime-stock rock which in part was very hard.
While the dredging operations were being carried out the work of
building the quays and warehouses also proceeded.
The extension of the free port which was handed over to the care
of and administration by Malmo Frihamnsaktiebolag on the inauguration
 of the free port (September- 27, 1922) comprises 684 meters
of quayage with a water depth of 9.25 meters (30 feet).
Description.—The city of Malmo has a population of 117,000 and
is situated directly opposite Copenhagen on the sound, which is the
most important trade route to the Baltic Sea. It is estimated that
on the average 60,000 vessels pass through this strait or call at the
many ports on its coasts annually. The free port is located close
to the industrial and customs harbor of Malmo. - * * *
Area.—The area of the free-port zone comprises 157,600 square
meters of land, of which about 86,000 square meters are at the present
time vacant plots of ground. Other parts of the land are used for
streets and kindred purposes. The total free-zone area, inclusive of
the water area, is about 414,200 square meters,
Type of inclosure.—The land area is inclosed by a fence of galvanized
 wire net with a height of 3.15 meters above the concrete base in
which the iron rods of the fence are fastened at intervals of 1.95
meters. The length of the land fence is about 2,062 meters. The
sea fence consists of wooden piles 0.7 meter apart and with a height
of 3 meters above the level of the sea. Both land and sea fences are
provided with electric lighting.
Terminals and berthing space.—Malmo is the terminus for the
Swedish State railways and entrance port for the Danish and conti
nental railway traffic. The free port has an independent railway
station, which enjoys the right to forward and receive goods by rail
to and from Swedish and foreign stations to the same extent and at
the same rates as the central station for the Swedish State railways
at Malmo. The Swedish State railway places cars at and removes