Baltic, Good for Business, Latvia, Port, Tourism, Transport

Overall, 36.6 million tons were handled at the Baltic ports – Riga, Klaipeda, Butinge, Tallinn, Ventspils and Liepaja – in the first quarter of 2015, which is by 5.7% less than during the first three months of the last year. Among these seven ports only Riga and Klaipeda demonstrated an increase – Riga (+ 6.7%) and Klaipeda (+3.8%), as well as Butinge oil terminal. The largest decline in cargo turnover is registered at the port of Tallinn (-24%).

Vice-Mayor and Chairman of the Freeport of Riga Board Mr. Andris Ameriks: "Despite geopolitical events, that in general had a negative effect on marine cargo transshipping in the Baltic region, there is no reason for pessimism in regards of the Freeport of Riga. Our main trumps are long-term contracts, concluded by the businessmen, and the funds, invested by the cargo owners into the construction of the terminals at the port of Riga. At the same time we maintain a cautious position and this year's main task is to preserve the achieved results, which are historically the highest ones."

Almost 60% are bulk dry cargo

The dry bulk cargo segment, which continues to increase its share in the total Riga port’s cargo structure, is traditionally a dominating segment at the port of Riga. Almost 6 million tons were handled in the dry bulk segment in general during three months, which is by 13.4% more than in the first months of the previous year.

The most important group is the coal freight – and its traffic at the port of Riga continues to grow. 3.94 million tons of coal were handled during three months of the current year, which is by 15.1% more than during the last year's first quarter. Similarly, the rapid growth is demonstrated by mineral fertilizers – this year the handled amount is by 39.2% more than last year. It is expected that this cargo segment will maintain positive dynamics, due to the fact that the new fertilizer terminal started working at full capacity. A positive trend is a peat traffic growth (+ 52.3%); in contrast to the majority of transit cargoes handled at the port of Riga, peat is an export commodity of local origin. The unidentified bulk cargo group demonstrated increase of 16.3%.

Decrease in general segment

1.68 million tons were handled in General cargo segment this year, which means decline of the freight turnover by 7.4% compared to the previous year. Container transshipment maintains leading position (+1.3); there is a decrease in turnover of almost all other cargo groups.

Liquid cargo volume is still growing

The upward trend of liquid cargo volume growth started in the beginning of the last year, and this year the trend continues at the port of Riga. However, growth dynamics has become slower and reached 3.2%. Overall, 2.92 million tons were handled in liquid cargo segment at the port of Riga during the first three months of the current year.

94,718 passengers were served at the port of Riga during the first three months of the current year.