EU – Baltic States, Latvia, Port, Transport

Køge Mayor Flemming Christensen, the Køge port CEO Thomas Elm Kampmann, the Køge port Harbor Master Susanne Thilqvist and the port Board members were introduced to the port of Riga and the Freeport of Riga Authority. The guests were welcomed by Riga City Council Executive Director Juris Radzevics and the Freeport of Riga Port Authority management. The representatives of the Port of Køge visited the port of Riga Vessel Traffic Service Center and met with the Harbour Master Arturs Brokovskis-Vaivods.

During the meeting the Køge port representatives expressed great interest in the passenger transportation development at the Port of Riga. Previously the Køge port management had expressed the desire to identify opportunities for passenger transport between Riga and Køge ports, therefore  the discussion was also attended by the SIA Rīgas pasažieru termināls (Riga Passenger Terminal) Board Chairman Valerijs Barjers. 

During the meeting, representatives of the ports discussed issues related to the port and the city interaction. As many European ports, the ports of Riga and Køge strive for more profound cooperation between the port and the residents of the adjacent areas.

The port representatives shared their experience of social and environmental projects that are aimed at the port neighbors’ welfare provision and the port industrial activities impact mitigation. Køge port representatives were also interested in implementation of the European Union projects in Riga port and public support for the EU funds attraction. The Freeport of Riga Authority is interested in collaboration with Scandinavian ports in the field of container and ro-ro cargo transshipment, taking into account the current activities aiming at the establishment of cargo corridor from China via the port of Riga.

At the end of the meeting Køge Mayor Fleming Kristensen received a gift from Mr.Radzevics – a symbolic ship steering wheel as a symbol of good and stable governance and perspective cooperation.