Energy, Latvia, Port, Transport

In the first four months of this year, Latvian ports mostly transshipped bulk cargo – 7.676 million tons (41% less than a year ago). This included 1.627 million tons of coal (4.2 times decrease), 1.637 tons of grain and grain products, which is an increase of 0.1%, 654,900 tons of chemical bulk cargo (17% down), and 885,600 tons of wood chips (up 14.3%).

Liquid cargo turnover at Latvian ports decreased 13.1% to 4.207 million tons. Oil products accounted for most liquid cargo handled by Latvian ports – 4.007 million tons, down 11.6% on year.

Handling of general cargo was down 12.6% on year to 3.941 million tons in the first four months of 2020.

Reloading of containerized cargo declined 6.2% to 1.544 million tons, timber was down 23.9% to 1.2 million tons, and roll on/roll off cargo reduced 7.9% to 1.029 million tons.

Riga Port was the largest Latvian port in terms of cargo turnover in the first four months of this year, handling a total of 8.233 million tons of cargo (25.2% decrease year on year), followed by Ventspils Port with 4.772 million tons (41% reduction) and Liepaja Port with 2.17 million tons (14.5% decrease).

Skulte was the leader among Latvia's small ports with cargo turnover at 339,400 tons (5.2% decrease on the first four months of 2019), followed by Mersrags Port – 171,900 tons (4.8% down), and Salacgriva Port – 107,700 tons (28% down).

The total cargo turnover of Latvia's small ports in January-April was 648,800 tons, a decrease of 9.6% on the first four months of last year.

In 2019, Latvian ports handled 62.379 million tons of cargo, which was 5.7% less when compared to 2018.