Environment monitoring

Within the scope of the environmental management system ISO: 14000, monitoring of air, groundwater, waterfowl and soil disposal site is performed in the port territory.

The up-to-date digital technologies - modern air monitoring stations and surveillance cameras operating online provide new possibilities for comprehensive environmental monitoring and timely risk prevention. 5G technology advantages foster development of solutions in the field of environmental monitoring at the Freeport of Riga. One of the great examples - a pilot project is being implemented in cooperation with the leading telecommunications company LMT with the aim to use an AI-powered drone for water pollution detection.

Air monitoring

The main sources of air pollution risk in the territory of the Port of Riga are processes related to transshipment of bulk cargo and liquid cargo and storage of dry bulk cargo in open areas. Due to these activities particulate matter (dust) might be emitted into the atmosphere, as well as various chemical compounds producing odors.

All companies operating in the port area shall comply with the requirements of Latvian legislation on air quality. The compliance of the companies’ activities with these requirements is controlled by the State Environmental Service, while the merchant is responsible for the use of technologies and technological processes that comply with air quality requirements. The Freeport of Riga Authority’s responsible units organize additional inspections at the port terminals to check compliance of technological processes with environmental quality requirements both according to a regular schedule and with reference to complaints about air quality in the neighbourhoods. 

To monitor the air quality in the port area, the Freeport of Riga Authority has installed five air monitoring stations, three of which measure the concentration of volatile organic compounds (agents causing odour) and two measure the concentration of particulate matter (dust) in the air. Since handling of oil products at the Port of Riga has practically stopped due to the current geopolitical circumstances, monitoring of the concentration of volatile organic compounds is not carried out at the moment. In addition to the stationary monitoring stations, a specialised company measures particulate matter with its own equipment at another site on behalf of the Authority.

Air monitoring stations operate in real-time mode, ensuring continuous transmission of measurement data. The data collected at the monitoring stations are available online for the Freeport of Riga Authority units and, following mutual agreements, also to the State Environmental Service.

For the purpose of monitoring, the Freeport of Riga Authority has installed surveillance cameras at the most active coal transshipment locations in the port of Riga - in front of Krievu Island dry bulk cargo terminals, so that everyone can follow the loading processes and air quality indices online.

Groundwater monitoring


The objective of groundwater monitoring is to identify possible pollution sources before it’s too late, as well as to assess changes in the degree of pollution in historically polluted port territories. Historical pollution is currently the largest source of groundwater pollution risk in the port of Riga. It developed during the Soviet regime through the improper storage of hazardous and oil products, as well as due to ruthless use of the port territory by the Soviet army.

Currently, the groundwater monitoring network in the port area includes about 300 wells. 

Excavated soil /Disposal site monitoring


With the aim to provide safe entry to the port of Riga, the Freeport of Riga Authority regularly cleans and dredges the Daugava riverbed. The soil excavated during the dredging works is transferred to a special disposal site located in the Gulf of Riga.

 Before transfer to the disposal site the excavated soil quality is being tested.

Waterfowl monitoring

Since 2007, nesting waterfowl monitoring has been performed in specially protected areas of the Freeport of Riga - Mīlestības Island and Krēmeri Nature Reserve with the aim to assess and analyze changes in waterfowl nesting.


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