Seaports are the farthest Polish cities to the west. Their location is an important factor determining directions and possibilities of development of Both ports as well as of the entire sea region.

Ports in Szczecin and Swinoujscie are one of the largest port groups in the region of the Baltic Sea. They are situated on the shortest path connecting Scandinavia with Central and Southern Europe. They also lie on the shortest Seaway connecting the Baltic Finland, Russia, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia with Germany and Western Europe.

Port of Swinoujscie is situated directly by the sea, whereas the port in Szczecin is 68 km inland. Passage through the seaway from Swinoujscie to Szczecin takes 4 hours.

The location of the ports of Szczecin and Swinoujscie makes them complementary. Thanks to its location by the sea, Swinoujscie can provide highly efficient ferry routes and offer access for larger vessels - with a draught up to 13.5 meters.

Port in Szczecin, distanced from the sea of about 68 km, is available for smaller vessels - with a draught up to 9,15 meters. It gives a cheapest possibility to reach the inland by sea, which so much closer to the recipients and senders of goods handled.

Ports in Szczecin and Swinoujscie are the closest seaports for the areas of western and south-western Poland, which contain the most important industrial areas of the country, such as Upper Silesia, the region of Wroclaw and Poznan. The proximity of eastern Germany is also significant, especially the region of Berlin, situated only 140 km from Szczecin, Brandenburg and Saxony. Furthermore, for many years now, both ports have been the most important bridge sea ports for the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

Ports of Szczecin and Swinoujscie have good connections with a complex system of land facilities transportation. By the A11 and A20 motorways, they are connected to the European system of highways, and through the national road No. 3 (E-65) with the south of Poland, Czech Republic and Slovakia, and then with the south of Europe. Both ports have also good rail connections – through the Oder railway main line they are connected to the industrial centers of western and southern Europe.

The undeniable advantage is availability – it is the only Polish sea port for inland waterway transport, which is recognized by the European Union as the most environmentally friendly port. Such accessibility to the waterways system of western Europe is especially important for handling the German market. Barge transit directly reaches many important economic centers of the Berlin and Brandenburg region.