This doctoral dissertation deals with the study of the economic effects of maritime transport and transport in the function of economic development. In other words, the question is to what extent are the economic effects of traffic recognized as potential accelerators of the economic development of the Republic of Croatia, since it is recognized as a maritime country in the international environment, where some of the most important branches of the economy are related to the sea or maritime affairs. The purpose of the research is to investigate the impact of the economic effects of maritime transport and transport on economic development with a special focus on the economic development of Split. The city of Split is naturally imposed as the narrow focus of this doctoral dissertation, given that various forms of maritime traffic and transport are represented in Split. As such the city of Split represents an ideal platform for scientific and practical discussion on the importance of a particular form of maritime traffic and transport for the economy of Split. Maritime traffic is particularly multiplied to accelerating tourism in Split. The aims of theoretical and empirical research were multifaceted, and they are manifested in the systematization of theoretical and empirical insights on the impact of maritime traffic and transport on a balanced and sustainable development of the national economy; in analyzing the potential of maritime activities in the Republic of Croatia with special reference to the cityof Split and ultimately suggesting the guidelines for improving Split's maritime operations and marine operations with the support of the Ministry, port associations, port administrations and major stakeholders in their business. These guidelines can serve all port administrations and other maritime business systems in the development of their own, specific organization and management model that best corresponds to the business environment.