Polish Ocean Lines (PLO, ) is a Polish commercial shipping company, with headquarters in Gdynia. The company was created in 1951 in a merger of three smaller shipping companies. Currently, PLO acts as a holding company for 12 other shipping companies.[1][2]
History
PLO was founded as a state owned company in 1951, with the merger of: Gdynia-Ameryka Linie Żeglugowe S.A. (Gdynia-America Line – GAL), Żegluga Polska (Shipping Polish) and Polsko-Brytyjskie Towarzystwo Okrętowe (Polish-British Shipping Partnership). After the creation of the company there was gradual development including buying more equipment and increased employment. From 1951 to 1954, the company was also a part owner the Sopot Grand Hotel. Tonnage of vessels increased in the 60s to reach the level of. In 1967, due to the blockade of the Suez Canal, PLO ships, performing cruises to the Far East, were forced to circumnavigate Africa. In 1969, the company's flagship ceased to be MS Batory, which was scrapped in 1971 with its place taken by the more modern TSS Stefan Batory.
In the 1970s tonnage increased further, and at the end of the decade was about with 176 ships bearing the mark Armatorski PLO.