One of the challenges for restoring ferry traffic from Riga is the lack of a functioning terminal building, the communications director of the Estonian ferry operator AS Tallink Grupp, Mēlis Kompuss, told LETA.
He noted that in recent years, the Latvian government has repeatedly expressed interest in reopening the Riga–Stockholm ferry route, and several meetings have taken place to explore this idea.
“Tallink has not forgotten Latvia. When the war in Ukraine is over, the economic situation allows low-risk operations, and a suitable ship becomes available, the company will seriously consider restoring the route with one vessel,” Kompuss said.
At the same time, he emphasized that an additional challenge is the lack of a functioning ferry terminal in Riga, as the previous building has been converted into office space. Therefore, the Latvian government, the Riga municipality, and the Riga Port must first create the necessary conditions to ensure ferry traffic.
“Without that, regular ferry service is not possible.
Only then could more detailed discussions begin about whether, under what financial conditions, and when the route could be restored,” Kompuss explained.
Transport Minister Atis Švinka (P) told LETA that in 2007 certain areas were deliberately excluded from the territory of Riga Port.
“That was the Andrejosta area, which was transferred into private hands and later directed toward completely different uses. Whatever the decision was, it is irreversible, and Riga Port has lost these territories. Could there ever be a ferry and a terminal there? That is a big question for me,” the minister said.
He added that the current owners’ goal is to make a profit for themselves, not for the public or for Riga. Therefore, in his view, other solutions must be found for establishing ferry services, while the cruise ship berth could remain in the city center.
“For Riga, this is a huge challenge, but at the same time, not an insurmountable one.
I am convinced that in a short period it can be clarified – also the scale of financing required – and ways can be found to realize the Riga Port passenger terminal project,” the minister said.
He stressed that a ferry terminal involves not only passengers, but also car and truck traffic. “These are technical issues that must be resolved and are very complicated due to historic decisions. I am convinced it can be done. Tallink is ready,” the minister underlined.
When asked whether restoring ferry service from Riga would require state support, the minister said it is a combination that must include infrastructure. “Of course, Tallink honestly shows its readiness to provide these services, and to some extent I agree that the public sector should be involved to make such traffic possible. But we have not yet reached concrete figures. I think the first thing needed is a clear vision of whether Latvia and Riga want this ferry service, because so far it has only been words,” the minister said.
Meanwhile, representatives of the Freeport of Riga told LETA that the port, together with the Ministry of Economics, the Ministry of Transport, and the Riga municipality, is working to approach ferry companies operating in Europe to attract a long-term partner and ensure the possibility of restoring a ferry line from and to Riga. At the same time,
discussions are underway with Tallink about restoring regular ro-pax (cargo and passenger ferry) traffic from Riga Port.
The Freeport added that an important long-term step for promoting cruise and ferry traffic at Riga Port will be the development of a cargo–passenger ferry terminal at Eksportosta. Work has already begun on dismantling the ED dam to enable large cruise ships to dock closer to the city center, and talks are ongoing about financing and constructing the new passenger terminal.
The Freeport emphasized that the construction of the terminal will significantly enhance Riga Port’s competitiveness in the Baltic Sea region in the cruise and passenger service segment, as well as in ro-ro ferry traffic. Negotiations with ferry line operators indicate that one of the key factors for launching regular ferry routes in Riga is the establishment of a modern, functional, and customer-friendly ro-pax terminal at the port, the authority underlined.
Tallink’s regular ferry service between Riga and Stockholm was discontinued at the beginning of 2020.
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