| Summary: | This research assesses and evaluates the political and economic policies of the U.S.S.R. which affected the development and operations of the Baltic Steamship Company. The nature of the company's position within the fleet and the integrated transport system of the U.S.S.R. is assessed together with the Soviet centralised approach to shipping management. The organisation and bureaucracy within the management and conclusions concerning its suitability to Western trading is analysed in comparison with designed requirements. The operating cost factors and Soviet perceived concepts of profit and loss associated with maritime trading are addressed and analysed. Conclusions are drawn that the Soviet rationale of profit meets their social structure but is irreconcilable to the capitalist accounting systems. The fleet's manning, motivation, training and career structures are addressed, concluding that the fleet's growth could be predicted two decades ahead due to the central authority's control over maritime education. A historic review of the Baltic Company's growth encompassing world events and Soviet eco-political changes, highlights the use of the Company in foreign trade developments. The five year planning cycle is shown to provide strength for resource application but acts as a constraint upon the flexibility in maritime markets. The structured acquisition of hulls by series production, climatic conditions and post-war political polarisation are shown to be major points in development. The growth as outsiders and conference members into worldwide liner operations, the North Atlantic trade including the effects of the U.S. longshoremen's boycott is analysed. Predictive forecasts based upon analytical tools developed during the thesis provided an appraisal of Soviet maritime operations and probable trends until 1995. In its contribution to knowledge, the thesis has concentrated upon the Soviet state planning, political and behavioural traits , seeking to clarify other largely unquantified maritime research that places Comecon fleet activity against capitalist shipping monetary concepts. Ministry of Defence (Director of Naval Education and Training), the General Council of British Shipping and Lloyd's of London
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