In 2023 Latvian sea ports handled a total of 38.655 million tonnes of freight, which is 19.6% less when compared to 2022, according to the report from the Ministry of Transport.
The ministry explains the drop in turnover is related to changes to the geopolitical situation, mainly the anti-Russian sanctions. At the same time, in several freight segments there was an increase in volume. Sea ports are also actively looking for new opportunities for business development.
The majority of freight handled by Latvian ports in 2023 was bulk cargo – 21.062 million tonnes, which is still 17.7% less when compared to 2022.
Cereals and cereal products amounted to 7.125 million tonnes, which is 14% more than in 2022. Coal amounted to 3.706 million, which is a drop of 56%. Wood chips amounted to 1.932 million tonnes, which is 0.7% more. Chemical bulk freight reached 623 700 tonnes, was a drop of 20% when compared to 2022.
General freight was handled by Latvian sea ports in the volume of 13.06 million tonnes, which is 6% less when compared to 2022.
Cargo containers amounted to 5.123 million tonnes, which is 7.4% more, lumber was handled by Latvian sea ports in the volume of 4.003 million tonnes, which is 15.6% less than a year prior. Ro-Ro cargo amounted to 3.402 million tonnes, which is 12.4% less when compared to a year prior.
Liquid cargoes were handled by Latvian sea ports in the volume of 4.532 million tonnes, which is 47.2% less when compared to 2022.
Various petrol products accounted for the majority of all liquid cargoes – 4.078 million tonnes, which is 48.4% less when compared to 2022.
Riga sea port remains in the lead when it comes to the volume of handled freight. This sea port processed a total of 18.794 million tonnes, which is 20.1% less when compared to 2022.
Ventspils sea port is next with a turnover of 10.418 million in 2023, which is 29.3% less. Liepaja sea port is third with 7.232 million tonnes, which is 4.9% less when compared to 2022.
Among the smaller Latvian sea ports, freight turnover was the biggest at Skulte sea port – 1.119 million tonnes, which is 7.1% less when compared to the year prior. Mērsrags is next with freight turnover of 556 100 tonnes (0.8% less), and Salacgrīva with 456 600 tonnes (23.7% more).
In total, Latvian sea ports handled a total of 2.21 million tonnes of freight last year, which is 0.3% more when compared to 2022.
“Sea ports should accept the existing situation and use it as a platform to grow. It should be considered an opportunity for strategic development and expansion to new markets, as well as an opportunity to provide clients new logistical services. For example, there are clear opportunities for competition for US and Far East freight volumes and their delivery to Central and Eastern Europe,” says Minister of Transport Kaspars Briškens.
He also says that a comparison of the cost of transportation of cargo from the Middle East on the routes Hamburg-Prague and Riga-Prague shows that Latvia has an advantage of 300 – 400 euros per container. “This is a very notable advantage that should be used. We can also stress the success of Riga sea port’s contribution to the transportation of Ukrainian cereals over the railway and handling,” mentions Briškens.
In 2022 Latvian sea ports handled a total of 48.078 million tonnes of freight, which was 15.2% more when compared to 2021.
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