LATVIA – PORT
Cargo turnover in Latvian ports has increased by 16% in the first ten months of this year compared to the previous year and reached 39.2 million tons, according to operational data compiled by «the Ministry of Transport».
According to these data, more intensive cooperation with Central Asian countries has contributed to an increase in coal transhipment at ports for over a year now, but in recent months it has been further affected by Latvia’s support to Poland in providing energy resources.
The increase of total cargo turnover in ten months was influenced by the increase of coal, container, ro-ro and timber cargo segments. Coal cargo turnover at Latvian ports in the first ten months of this year reached 6.7 million tons, which is an increase of 11.4 times compared to 2021.

On the other hand, container cargo turnover in Latvian ports in ten months was 4 million tons, an increase of 10.2%. Ro-Ro cargo turnover was 3.3 million tons, or 12.4% more, and timber cargo turnover was 4 million tons, 7.2% more than in the first ten months of last year.
The oil product transhipment segment also shows positive dynamics. In October 2022, oil product cargo turnover increased by 75% compared to September.

Total cargo turnover was the highest in the Port of Riga, reaching 19.1 million tons in the first ten months of this year, while in the Port of Ventspils it was 12 million tons and in the Port of Liepaja 6.3 million tons. In addition, all major ports are still experiencing positive growth in cargo volumes compared to the ten months of last year.

In Riga, total cargo turnover increased by 10.5% or 1.8 million tons compared to 2021. The positive dynamics were supported by the growth in coal and container transportation segment. At the Port of Ventspils, coal and ro-ro cargoes influenced the increase in cargo turnover compared to the previous year. Total cargo turnover in this port increased by 33.4% or 3 million tons compared to 2021. In the port of Liepāja, the total cargo turnover increased by 9.4% or 0.5 million tonnes compared to the previous year, helped by an increase in grain and Ro-Ro cargo handling (Roll-on/Roll-off).
Along with the increase in port cargo turnover, positive dynamics for the ten months of 2022 can also be seen in railway cargo turnover. Total rail freight turnover in the first ten months of this year reached 18 million tonnes, 4% more than in 2021. The positive figure was influenced by an increase in coal and ore shipments. Coal cargo turnover reached 4.1 million tons, which is a 3.5 times increase compared to 2021, and ore cargo turnover reached 1.6 million tons, or a 3.5 times increase. The highest rail freight turnover is seen in the import and port transit segment.