Safety and security of the port terminals

The Port of Riga complies with all international requirements in the field of port security, including the requirements of the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code - ISPS and the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code - IMDG.

Based on the requirements of international security codes, as well as the legal norms of the European Union and Latvia, a comprehensive Port Security Plan has been developed for the Port of Riga, the implementation of which is being controlled by the responsible structural units of the European Commission and the Latvian Maritime Administration.

In compliance with the joint Port Security Plan, a Port Facility Security Plan (PFSP) has been developed for each terminal operating in the port; the implementation of the PFSP is being controlled by the Latvian Maritime Administration and the Freeport of Riga Authority. With the aim to make sure that all parties involved are prepared to implement the measures provided for in the security plans, security training is regularly organized with the participation of the terminal, structural units of the Freeport of Riga Authority and state operational services.

The port companies are responsible for security in the territory of port terminals, providing safe technical condition and operation of equipment, safe compliance with technological processes, training of personnel, planning and implementation of risk mitigation measures.

The Freeport terminals’ operation is monitored 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Freeport of Riga Authority and the responsible state services are ready to respond promptly in the event of a security threat, as well as take preventive measures to mitigate security risks.

Port Internal Security Office

Salvis Orlovs
Head of Port Internal Security Division
  • salvis.orlovs [at] rop.lv, +371 28727272
  • Freeport of Riga Authority
  • Meldru street 3c, Riga, Latvia, LV-1015

Supervision of high risk enterprises

In co-operation with the responsible authorities of Latvia, high-risk companies in the territory of the Freeport of Riga have been identified and are strictly controlled. With the aim to comply with the requirements of the regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers of Latvia, an Industrial Accident Prevention Program has been developed for four companies of the Port of Riga and a Security Report has been developed for eight companies.. 

The safety of high-risk companies is closely monitored by national regulatory authorities, but the main responsibility for assessing the risks of possible industrial accidents and implementing risk mitigation measures shall lie with the operating companies.

Action Plan to Combat Accidental Pollution

In accordance with the requirements of the regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers of Latvia, the Freeport of Riga Authority has developed an Action Plan to combat accidental pollution in the Freeport of Riga.

The Action Plan addresses the threat of the water area pollution from the berths where operations with chemicals, oil products and mixtures (liquid cargo) are performed. The Plan defines priorities and sets out the sequence of measures to be taken to combat accidental pollution.

The plan is an internal regulatory enactment and is presented to the parties involved in its implementation.

Supervision of hazardous and polluting cargo
movement

In accordance with the regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers of Latvia, the following institutions are responsible for the supervision of hazardous and polluting cargo movement at the Freeport of Riga:

  • The Latvian Maritime Administration, which generally monitors compliance with the regulations on hazardous and polluting cargo movement, as well as carries out inspections on ships.
  • The Freeport of Riga Authority, which controls the compliance with the regulations in the territory of the Port of Riga. The hazardous and polluting cargo movement at the port companies is inspected at least once every four months. Checks are also carried out in response to complaints of alleged violations. Provided a violation is established, the State Environmental Service shall be informed thereof, and the SRS shall decide on the application of penalties or restrictive measures.
  • An economic operator, who is directly responsible for the safety of hazardous and polluting goods movement and for compliance with all binding rules. In order to perform activities with hazardous goods, the port merchant shall obtain a category B permit issued by the State Environmental Service.

Emergency Plan

The Emergency Plan of the Freeport of Riga has been developed to coordinate the cooperation of ship crews, port terminals, port services and national operational agencies and to coordinate actions to prevent an emergency situation and eliminate its consequences. It also provides guidelines and recommendations for vessels, port terminals and all port workers on preventive measures to eliminate and reduce the risks of port emergencies. 

The Emergency Plan provides a set of day-to-day preventive measures, as well as includes training and exercises to respond in a timely manner to emergency risks, preventing damage to people, the environment and the port infrastructure.

It might interest you: