Latvia, Legislation, Port, Transport

International Internet Magazine. Baltic States news & analytics Friday, 29.03.2024, 09:05

Minister approves Zeltins for Freeport of Riga CEO

BC, Riga, 14.07.2017.Print version
Transport Minister Uldis Augulis (Greens/Farmers) approves Ansis Zeltins’ candidacy for Freeport of Riga CEO, informs LETA.

After meeting with the candidate today, the minister told journalists that he would give the green light to Zeltins’ appointment as the port’s new CEO. After receiving the minister’s approval, the Freeport of Riga Board will have to call a meeting at the end of this month to officially appoint Zeltins as the port’s new head.


Augulis noted that both the commission assessing candidates for the position and the Freeport of Riga Board unanimously backed Zeltins’ candidacy, but that he wanted to meet Zeltins in person and interview him about his perspective on the port’s development.


In Augulis’ words, Zeltins is expected to work with the State Audit Office on enhancing the port’s operations, successfully finish work on existing projects, including the Kievu Sala development project, to work on the freeport’s public image and cargo diversification.


Zeltins, in turn, thanked the minister for placing trust in him and named work in the port’s development plan, studying all aspects of the Krievu Sala project and increasing the transparency of the Freeport of Riga’s management and operations as his main tasks.


Zeltins added that work on these issues has already been started as part of the reorganization of the Freeport of Riga Authority.


Zeltins indicated that the freeport’s successful development requires a strong team, as well as cooperation with the local authority and the central government.


It is also essential to consider diversification of cargo, given that relying on Russian bulk and liquid cargo is associated with political and economic risks.


Asked if former Freeport of Riga CEO Leonids Loginovs might become his adviser, Zeltins praised Loginovs’ professionalism, noting at the same time that he has no information about particular employees’ contracts and that he is not yet able to answer this question.


It is also not clear if Zeltins will stay on as chairman of the Latvijas Dzelzcels (Latvian Railways) Supervisory Board. Augulis said that first it is necessary to wait until Zeltins is officially appointed Freeport of Riga CEO. Combining the two positions would require approval from the Transport Ministry and the Freeport of Riga Board.


A commission assessing candidates for the Freeport of Riga CEO has recommended Zeltins for the position upon assessing 24 candidates in several rounds of a public tender. Before he can take office as Freeport of Riga CEO, Zeltins’ candidacy has to be approved by the transport minister.


According to the law on ports, the final decision on Zeltins’ appointment will be taken at a meeting of the Freeport of Riga Board, which will be called once the candidate is approved by the transport minister.


According to Latvijas Dzelzcels website, Zeltins has a Master's degree in business management from the University of Salford and Master's degree in oceanic transport from the Latvian Maritime Academy.


Since 2000, Zeltins has been working at various transport companies, including the Maritime Administration, shipping company Latvijas Kugnieciba's subsidiaries LSC Marine Training and LSC Shipmanagement. He has also worked as transport advisor at the Latvian Representation in the European Union.


As reported, applicants for the job had to have higher education in management, finance, economy, engineering, transport or maritime education. The candidates also had to have the experience of working in an executive position, for a private or public company or organization, for at least five years. All candidates must have perfect command of Latvian and - at the very least - speak English and Russian.


The previous Freeport of Riga CEO Loginovs stepped down effective March 10. He had been the freeport's CEO since 1998.







Search site