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International Internet Magazine. Baltic States news & analytics Wednesday, 01.05.2024, 23:50

Ventspils Port and truckers affected by mutual sanctions in 2014

BC, Riga, 20.02.2015.Print version
2014 has been an overall better year for Latvian ports than 2013, as the total amount of cargo handled at the ports increased more than 5%, however, coal turnover at Ventspils Port decreased significantly as a result of sanctions the European Union has imposed on Russia and vice versa, according to the Logistics Sector Council's meeting, cites LETA.

The Transport Ministry explains that Latvia's international trucking companies have also sustained major losses, mostly due to Russia's embargo on food products.

 

The most important aspects that affect Latvia's transit and logistics sector at the moment are all associated with the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the sanctions that the EU has imposed on Russia over the conflict – and vice versa, according to participants in the Logistics Sector Council's meeting.

 

The meeting decided that options for balancing out rail cargo transport and infrastructure costs would be analyzed, which would also improve the competitiveness of the Ventspils Port.

 

The sides also agreed that the transport and logistics industry should be more active in finding new cooperation partners and new cargo to be transported from Central Asia – in Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, and that a special task force for cooperation with countries in the region would assist the industry in this regard.

 

Likewise, representatives from the transport and logistics industry should use every opportunity to participate in top state officials' foreign visits and try to be represented at international transport and logistics fairs in Russia, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, China and Germany where Latvia is planning to participate this year.

 

As reported, cargo turnover at Latvian ports increased by 5.2% to 74.18 million tons last year, as compared to 2013.

 

Riga Port handled 41.08 million tons of cargo in 2014, 15.8% more than in 2013. Ventspils handled 26.2 million tons, an 8.9% reduction, the Port of Liepaja – 5.3 million tons, a 9.5% increase.

 

Bulk cargo made up the largest part of cargo turnover at Latvian ports in 2014 – 35.85 million tons, followed by liquid cargo – 26.53 million tons, and general cargo – 11.8 million tons.


The lowest increase was registered in general cargo turnover – 1.1%. Bulk cargo turnover registered a 1.9% increase, liquid cargo turnover – 12.1%.






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