Although the potential for the construction of the Port of Ploče had been recognized in the present time and throughout history; since the first half of the 14th century, Austro-Hungarian plans to build a port in the second half of the 19th century through to the time of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia in the first half of the 20th century, the first decision for the construction of the Port of Ploče was made on November 30, 1938. Construction began in 1939 according to the designs of Ukrainian engineer Boris Karakoz.