De økonomiske vanskeligheder var i vid udstrækning affødt af eksterne faktorer, bl.a. konkurrencen fra Asien, zlotyens stærke stilling over for dollaren, vanskelighederne ved at skaffe finansiering til skibe efter problemerne i Stocznia Szczecin Porta Holding S.A. og en portalkrans styrt i Gdynia skibsværft under en storm 1999.
The factors contributing to the difficult financial situation were external, such as Asian competition, the zloty’s strong position against the dollar, difficulties with accessing financing for ships following the problems of Stocznia Szczecin Porta Holding S.A. and the fall of a gantry crane in Gdynia Shipyard during a storm in 1999.