English
With the completion of the dredging works for the vessel access to the newly built extension of the SIA “Baltic Container Terminal” berth, the final stage of the Freeport of Riga Authority's project “Increasing the dual use capacity of the transport infrastructure by modernising road/rail and berth infrastructure” was successfully implemented in December 2024. This marks the successful completion of the EU co-funded project with the aim to significantly improve the infrastructure and commercial competitiveness of the Port of Riga, as well as to boost allied military mobility, which is particularly important for the country's armed forces and Latvia's international military partners.
The project is an important part of the Port of Riga development plan, which aims to make Kundziņsala the most modern port area with a digitised and automated logistics infrastructure to meet the requirements of the port's clients. Together with the construction of a new traffic overpass to Kundziņsala and the construction of a state-of-the-art port access control point, the modernisation of the infrastructure carried out under this project will facilitate the development of the port's industrial areas and the entry of new merchants into the Port of Riga.
The project comprised several interconnected and sequential stages of infrastructure construction. The first stage of the project - the reconstruction of the road and railway bridge over Sarkandaugava - was completed in 2023 on commission of the Freeport of Riga Authority. During the reconstruction of the bridge, its load-bearing part was renewed, providing for a safe crossing of the bridge for road and rail transport, as well as for pedestrians. Decorative lighting was installed to illuminate the metal structures of the bridge during the dark hours. The next stage of the project - the reconstruction of the motor road from the reconstructed bridge to the territory of SIA “Baltic Container Terminal” in Kundziņsala - was completed at the end of last year.
“As a result of the project, we have significantly improved the traffic infrastructure in Kundziņsala, the area that is currently developing into the port's most active freight logistics hub. Several large-scale developers are interested in doing business in Kundziņsala, looking for sites for renewable energy projects, e.g. related to wind energy or its components. By implementing the project, we have made an important contribution to strengthening Latvia's national security and boosting military mobility, improving the port's connectivity with the Ādaži military base,” said Ansis Zeltiņš, the Freeport of Riga CEO.
Given that the port terminals in Kundziņsala handle more than 1,000 truck units daily, improving the speed of cargo handling and the road infrastructure will reduce truck congestion and the time spent by trucks in the port, thus decreasing the impact of truck traffic (noise, dust) on the life quality of Kundziņsala residents.
This summer, work was completed on the extension of the berth line for the SIA “Baltic Container Terminal”. The berth at the port's largest container terminal was modernized by constructing an additional section and extending it by 57.3 metres. As a result, the BCT's quay line, which combines three berths, now totals 506.3 metres.
In future, the berths at Baltic Container Terminal will be able to simultaneously accommodate and service two large vessels - i.e. container ships, cargo ferries or military vessels, as well as extra-large vessels up to 340 metres in length. The loading and unloading process at the terminal will be speeded up, boosting the terminal's efficiency and commercial competitiveness. As the BCT is one of the most important port terminals for the logistics of allied military equipment in line with NATO requirements, speeding up of vessel handling will contribute to boosting the military mobility of our country.
During this year, the reconstruction of railway crossing at Uriekstes Street near the port access control point to Kundziņsala, which will speed up commercial and military cargo flow, as well as the construction of a new connecting road from the Baltic Container Terminal to the parking lot in the Kundziņsala area, were completed and put into operation on commission of the Freeport of Riga Authority.
The idea for the project was conceptualized in early 2022, when studies and design work started, leading to the submission of the application to CINEA with a high level of readiness. A tripartite agreement was concluded in May 2023 between the Freeport of Riga Authority, the European Executive Agency for Climate, Infrastructure and Environment (CINEA) and the SIA “Baltic Container Terminal”, a private operator of the container terminal in Kundziņsala. Its aim - to improve the port infrastructure in Kundziņsala in order to increase the commercial competitiveness of the Port of Riga while boosting Latvia's military mobility and defence capacity.
The project was co-funded by CINEA under the CEF Transport Military Mobility Programme. The total investment in the project is €12.51 million, 50% of which is co-financed by CINEA.
Information for media
- liene.ozola [at] rop.lv, +371 670 308 53
- Freeport of Riga Authority
- 12 Kalpaka blvd, Riga, Latvia, LV-1010
