English
Regardless of the global economic crisis that affected economics of Latvia the most, total turnover of cargos at the Freeport of Riga has systematically increased during the last three years. In the first ten months of 2010, the total cargo turnover at the Freeport of Riga has reached 25.036 million tons, which is by 0.3% more than in the accordant period last year.
Structure of cargos changes
In 2007, 25.93 million tons were handled in Riga, in 2008 – 29.57 million tons, in 2009 – 29.72 million tons. Growth dynamics of cargo turnover in 2010 shows that, though quite little, yet the amount of last year, which up to now has been the highest in the history of the Freeport of Riga, will be surpassed because after 10 months’ work this year the turnover of port is by 0.3% higher than in this period of account of last year.
Data of the Freeport of Riga Authority show that along changes in world markets, the structure of cargos has changed also in the Riga Port. In 2007 and 2008, for example, the biggest increase was to bulk cargos (coal, artificial fertilizers), as well as oil products, but in 2009 the amount of general cargos has increased. A tendency for increase of shipping of oil products through the Riga Port also appeared in 2009.
In 2010, the highest increase, as compared with the first ten months of 2009, is to general cargos, especially in the segment of timber and container cargos. Their amount has increased by almost 80%. The group of food products has also become more significant in operation of the port. It should be noted that changes have occurred also in the segment of bulk cargos – transshipment of black coal has decreased by 20%, and by 28% less artificial fertilizers have been transshipped. Fall of these types of cargos is compensated by increase of cargos of wood chips, sawn timber, ore, and metal.
Proportion of large ships increases
Like in the entire world, the proportion of large ships (above 10 000 GT) increases also at the Riga Port. This year it is 32.5% of the total number of vessels. Deeper berths and navigation channels are required to service them, therefore The Freeport of Riga Authority systematically performs deepening of navigation channels and the port aquatorium. This year, additional 7 million lats were allocated for this aim, also project on reconstruction of navigation channels and construction of new deep-water berths was updated within the frameworks of the projects of Krievu Island. Currently the Freeport of Riga Authority owns one deep-water berth in Žurku Island that is used for loading of Panamax type vessels. In October, the biggest ship that has ever landed in Riga was serviced at the Riga Port – its length is 230 m, width 37 m, draught 14.2 m, which actually exceeds the parameters of Panamax type vessels. There were 82.2 thousand tons of iron ore in the cargo of the ship. It total, 69 Panamax type vessels have been serviced at the Riga Port this year. (Vessels with DWT index of 65 000 and more are regarded as Panamax type vessels.)
Current situation shows that the strategy chosen and implemented by the Freeport of Riga – to be a multifunctional port where services of equally high quality can be provided to various kinds of cargos – has proven to be right.
Information prepared by
Anita Leiškalne
Freeport of Riga Authority
Public Relations Department
