Cargo, Latvia, Port, Transport

In the first five months of this year, Latvian ports mostly transshipped bulk cargo – 9.16 million tons (41.5% less than a year ago). This included 1.977 million tons of coal (4.1 times decrease), 1.943 million tons of grain and grain products, which is a decrease of 2.4%, 1,052 million tons of wood chips (16.8% up), and 770,400 tons chemical bulk cargo (down 22.3%).

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 14.9% on year to 5.318 million tons in the first five months of 2020.

Riga Port was the largest Latvian port in terms of cargo turnover in the first five months of this year, handling a total of 10.047 million tons of cargo (25.8% decrease year on year), followed by Ventspils Port with 5.91 million tons (41% reduction) and Liepaja Port with 2.653 million tons (13.5% decrease). 

Skulte was the leader among Latvia's small ports with cargo turnover at 427,800 tons (6.1% decrease on the first five months of 2019), followed by Mersrags Port – 198,300 tons (6.4% down), and Salacgriva Port – 145,100 tons (16.8% down).

The total cargo turnover of Latvia's small ports in January-May was 801,900 tons, a decrease of 8% on the first five months of last year.

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