The Freeport of Riga starts the year with 23.3% increase in turnover

"The rate of attracting and handling new cargoes is the same as gained in the second half of last year, and conforms to the processes previously predicted. Of course, we did not expect the operation to be so successful; though, it cannot be regarded as a surprise, but rather a proof of the accuracy of our strategy", indicates Mr Andris Ameriks, Chair of the Board of the Freeport of Riga Authority.

The most significant growth in the amount of 29.4% was in the general cargo segment. The increase in the container cargoes is of special importance to the Port of Riga, in January it has grown by 20.7% compared to the January 2010. Also the volume of timber cargoes has nearly grown by half and reached 295,000 m3 per month.

This January bulk cargoes have increased by 24.3% compared to last year. Also the volume of coal has experienced a remarkable growth and reached 942,000 tonnes - by 20.8% more than last year. The amount of ore cargoes is still growing; although, the amount of ore transhipped has decreased. A noteworthy growth has also been noticed in the mineral fertilizers segment, namely, plus 32%.

The increase in the liquid cargo segment is 17.8%, a special growth has been observed for the oil products, namely, plus 19%.

The dynamic growth in the number of passengers is particularly pleasing. In spite of the winter, which is not a high tourist season, more than 60,000 passengers have been serviced in the Port of Riga; in addition, more than 8,000 of them being cruise ship passengers.

In February the navigation in the Gulf of Riga is difficult due to the ice conditions; therefore, we allow for a possibility of not handling all the planned cargoes this month. We would like to mention that also at the beginning of 2010 the severe cold and the thick ice hindered the cargo handling, however, it did not keep the Port of Riga from reaching the best cargo turnover in its history, exceeding 30 million tonnes.