History:.

the ships, unloading and loading the goods when transported by means of horse transport. The wharf was also used for temporary storage of goods designated for further shipping as well as a place for trading the goods carried in. However, not all types of cargo could be store in open air conditions. It gave rise to construct special purpose houses around, where the goods were not only stored but further on the merchant's transactions were held there. One of the first trade houses was established in the middle of XIIIth century and served for general purposes. In the following centuries the trade houses specialised in particular goods and the historical sources prove there were warehouses built for either corn storage or herrings, flour, copper or wines. There was a crane erected on lasztownia Island next to the bridge "Most Dlugi" that facilitated handling of heavy stock, e.g. millstones. The general type goods as well as bulk cargo were unloaded by specially trained port workers, united in associations called confraternities. As the time passed on the port workers became skilfull in particular cargo types, e.g. steel products, and could also act as controllers capable to inspect the quality and quantity of goods handled.

The Port Authority of Szczecin took an important place in City Council just from the Middle Ages times, where the City Council gradually took over the rights and authorisation tha had once been beyond its competence. In the middle of XIVth century the City bought the right to collect customs charges from the Prince, and further on within XVII th century took the rules over the confraternities of port workers. However, for some longer time the Princes retained their right to collect charges for closing and opening the clog for ships coming in or ut.