Latvia prides itself on its commitment to implementing the principles of the European Green Deal. However, at the same time, state institutions are threatening one of the most environmentally friendly industrial facilities in the region—Baltic Coal Terminal (BCT) at the Ventspils Freeport. The Ministry of Transport and the Ventspils Freeport Authority (VPA) are not only blocking the terminal’s development opportunities but are also pushing it toward destruction through disproportionate requirements and targeted economic pressure, entrepreneurs told BNN.
BCT is one of the most modern coal terminals in Europe and the absolute greenest in the Baltics. Since its launch in 2005, more than EUR 80 million has been invested in the terminal, ensuring that coal processing and storage take place in a completely enclosed environment, preventing dust from entering the surrounding air and the Venta River. The environmental protection standards at BCT are of the highest level, with the company operating under ISO 14001 standards and strict environmental regulations, which many other regional terminals fail to meet.
However, despite Latvia’s publicly declared commitment to reducing environmental pollution and following the EU’s green policies, state institutions want to destroy this progressive terminal, entrepreneurs emphasize.
BCT has long sought cooperation with investors from Kazakhstan, who were willing to invest in the terminal’s development and increase transshipment capacity at Ventspils Port. However, the VPA board, led by Inguna Strautmane, deliberately initiated enforcement actions and imposed unreasonably high port service fees, even charging for “air” – demanding fees for ships that never entered the port or used port infrastructure.
Entrepreneurs argue that this not only deterred potential investors but also left dozens of people unemployed and caused losses to the state budget due to uncollected taxes. Is such a policy not directly contradicting Latvia’s economic interests?
Ministry of Transport – passive observer or active destroyer?
The Ministry of Transport, under Kaspars Briškens, has shown complete disinterest in the development of Latvian ports and the survival of businesses operating within them. Instead of protecting Latvia’s strategically important transit industry, the ministry is doing the opposite—supporting the deliberate expulsion of port businesses. Rather than seeking solutions to promote sustainable transit development and attract investments, the ministry remains silent and fails to respond to VPA’s destructive decisions, entrepreneurs claim.
This passivity raises an important question—is the Ministry of Transport merely a powerless observer, or is it an active participant in a strategic plan to weaken Latvia’s economy? Does it serve the interests of the public, or does it align with the economic objectives of foreign countries?
No one can deny that BCT is a prime example of how industrialization can coexist with environmental protection. But if the Latvian government and the Ministry of Transport continue with this policy, the terminal will be destroyed. This will not only scare away investors and eliminate jobs but will also completely abandon green policy principles.
The government cannot simultaneously declare support for the Green Course while destroying an environmentally compliant, sustainable terminal. If Latvia’s goal is truly a “greener” economy, then the destruction of BCT is a blatant contradiction.
Are the Ministry of Transport and VPA deliberately working against Latvia’s economic and environmental interests? This question remains unanswered. But one thing is clear—if nothing is done, Latvia will lose not only its most modern terminal but also its credibility as a leader in green policy implementation.