FOREIGN RADE ZONES 
the majority of Sweden’s importation of coffee passes through if. 
American automobiles have also been an important article of import 
ever since the opening of the port. Fresh fruit from southern 
Europe and the United States and grain from North and South 
America show a very marked increase during 1927 on account of the 
improved storage facilities that became available that year. 
The free port caters principally for the import trade. The foreign 
transshipment trade is of less importance, being confined to shipments 
for Finland and the Baltic republics during the winter. 
Manufacturing in the free zone.—As mentioned above, the per 
mission of the King must be obtained in order to commence manu- 
facturing activities within the free-port zome. It appears that 
several firms have contemplated the use of the free port for this 
purpose. As yet, however, no definite steps have been taken in this 
direction, with the exception that a Swede, Mr. Tornblad, has 
applied for and received permission to manufacture airplane pare 
chutes within the free-port zone. The parachutes are intended 
chiefly for export, and it is stated that manufacturing will be com- 
menced in the spring of 1928. 
No shipbuilding and no ship repair is performed within the free 
140 
Zone. 
Influence of the free port on Swedish trade, etc.—It can hardly be 
said that the free port has as yet exercised any great influence on the 
development of Sweden’s foreign trade. The favorable development 
of the trade during recent years would undoubtedly have taken place 
even if there had been no free port. It appears that the free port 
up to now has only offered competition to the other harbors in 
Stockholm. It is, however, too early to make any definite state- 
ments regarding the Stockholm free port, which is developing rapidly 
in importance as merchants are beginning to realize the advantages 
it offers. 
The Swedish merchant marine has shown a steady growth during 
recent years, but it can not be said that the opening of the Stockholm 
free port has exercised any direct influence in this direction. 
Statistics.—The number of vessels (steam and motor) making use 
of the free port during the vears 1921 to 1927 has been: 
Yaar 
CY nui of RRR 5 
' - 
Internal novignin) Foreign navigation 
oo a eo —— 
Number Tonnage | Number | Tonnage | Number | Tonna#e 
ee—————————— 
Total 
248 
"64 
21 
522 
491 
7 
wi 
16, 245 58, 879 278) 10512 
54, 052 81, 572 30 185.6% 
D1, 656 <7 132156 508 | 223,50 
96,913 | 82 | 132490 605 | 229.4% 
83, 510 97| 177.871 ses | 261,34 
116, 267 | 146 | 233,302 878 | 340,60 
132’ 552 231 | 315 106 gge 448.6 
n4