The Freeport of Riga Authority Thanks the Port Companies

Year 2009 for the Port of Riga was the record-breaker in port cargo handling, the turnover reaching nearly 30 million tonnes. And the results for the first six months of 2010 (almost 17.3 million tonnes) suggest that the last year’s record will fall. It should be marked that the port development strategy of 1995 envisaged the cargo turnover to reach 16.9 million tonnes per year in the period 1995-2010. As the expected volume of turnover has nearly doubled, it shall be concluded that the Freeport of Riga Authority has managed to create a work-friendly environment for the port companies.

“It is often  repeated that the Port of Riga has lost its infuence in the Baltic Sea, and the cargo handling volume is far away from that of the Soviet times. But many people do not know that in 1988 when the port operations were still free from the perestroika consequences, as the USSR strictly fulfilled the agreements on foreign cooperation, which were still effective, the total cargo volume in the Port of Riga was just 7.2 million tonnes. Together with the changes in the political and economic systems, the cargo turnover in the Port of Riga decreased to 5.5 million tonnes in 1991. During nearly 20 years, the port turnover has grown six times. Therefore we can say that the development of the Port of Riga is more rapid than expected and it has not been affected by the recent world economic crisis, and the cargo turnover this year, though slightly, but still will exceed the last year’s 30 million tonnes,” says Mr Ainārs Šlesers, the Chair of the Board of the Freeport of Riga Authority. Bearing in mind the current results and the work-in-progress in attracting new cargo owners to the port of Riga and developing new logistic routes from South and Asian countries to North and Europe, the forecast of reaching the borderline of 50 million tonnes within the next five years seems very real.

During the celebrations, the Chair stressed that also the work result of the companies operating in the Port territory has been beneficial to the Freeport of Riga Authority accomplishments, because the general development of the Port depends on their performance, and the achievements are a team-work of the Port Authority and each Port company. During the celebrations, the port companies, which have shown the best results during recent years, received awards of recognition. One of the nominations — TOP General Largest Turnover in Five Years — was awarded to SIA Rīgas centrālais terminālis. The Chair of Board of the company Mr Ralfs Kļaviņš reveals: “For me the Port of Riga is like Eldorado — the place of opportunities. Here are many available territories, good infrastructure and a focused approach towards companies operating in the Freeport of Riga territory. Just like several other Port companies, we are looking forward to the implementation of the Krievu salas Project, for it will open the door to new opportunities for the Port companies — harbouring of bigger ships, faster cargo handling, and environment-friendlier performance. Our company considers that the goal of 50 million tonnes cargo turnover per year, set by the Freeport of Riga Authority, is realistic, as we also plan a considerable increase in cargo handling. One of the projects, which will allow for this goal, is the agreement in process with the company Uralhim on shipping mineral fertiliser cargoes via the Port of Riga.”

Distinctions for successful work were awarded to SIA Strek, Rīgas universālais terminālis, B.L.B. Baltijas terminālis, Alpha osta, Naftimpeks, Rīgas kuģu būvētava and others. (A complete list of awardees and the respective nominations see here).

Awards to stevedores according to evaluation of the Freeport of Riga cargo turnover in the period 2005 – 2009 within the celebrations of the 810^th anniversary of the Port of Riga.

SIA RĪGAS CENTRĀLAIS TERMINĀLS – nomination “TOP Total Largest Turnover in Five Years”

SIA STREK – nomination “TOP Bulk Cargoes”

SIA RĪGAS UNIVERSĀLAIS TERMINĀLS – nomination “TOP Timber Products and Multifunctionality”

AS B.L.B. BALTIJAS TERMINĀLS – nomination “TOP Bulk Liquid”

SIA ALPHA OSTA – nomination “Specialized Terminal”

SIA NAFTIMPEKS – nomination “Fastest Growing Terminal with the Highest Dynamics”

AS RĪGAS KUĢU BŪVĒTAVA – nomination “Most Number of Jobs”

SIA JAUNMĪLGRĀVJA OSTAS KOMPĀNIJA – nomination “Most Efficient Use of Territory”

SIA EKO OSTA – nomination “Innovations”

AS Tallink Latvija – nomination “Shipping Line Providing Most Passengers”

Awards to the Freeport of Riga employees for personal contribution in the development of the Port of Riga and the sector within the celebrations of the 810^th anniversary of the Port of Riga.

 The Freeport of Riga Authority Award Pin was awarded to:

Inita Luna – Head of Cruise Ship and Passenger Department;

Anita Valle – Director of Legal Department;

Ilona Eiduka – Legal Advisor-expert in land matters;

Rūdolfs Pundiņš – Senior Specialist of Access Channel Measurement Division.

The Freeport of Riga Authority Certificate of Merit was awarded to:

Zane Kalniņa – Lawyer-cadastre engineer;

Sandra Maķe – Senior Accountant;

Dailonis Kivliņš – Senior Financial Economist;

Jurijs Zariņš – Head of Vessel Traffic Centre (VTC);

Arturs Ramms – Senior Steersman;

Verners Krasovskis – Senior Pilot;

Ernests Vagels – Port Motor Transport Administrator;

Ārija Apoga – Head of Procurement Department;

Edvards Ross – Staff Security Specialist;

Zeltīte Līce – Head of Pass and Registration Office.

Awards to the Freeport of Riga employees for lifelong service, achievements and personal contribution in the development of the Port of Riga and the sector within the celebrations of the 810^th anniversary of the Port of Riga:

Ļubova  Hofrāte – SIA Jaunmīlgrāvja ostas kompānija

Aleksandrs Kirilovs - SIA Port Milgravis

Aleksandrs Galkovičs - AS Rīgas Kuģu būvētava  

Staņislavs Lehs - SIA Rīgas centrālais termināls  

Valentīna Zemmele – SIA Strek

Dzintars Vigulis - SIA Baltic Container Terminal  

Andrejs Zupčenko - SIA Alpha Osta  

Viktors Putrikēvičs - SIA Rīgas Universālais termināls  

Normunds Mekšs - SIA LaCon