Freeport of Riga boasts 13,8 % growth of cargo turnover
Compared to September of the previous year the volume of various cargos handled at the Freeport of Riga this year has increased by 13,8 % - almost 3, 5 million tons were transshipped within one month, the port authority says. Assessing the results it is clear that the Freeport of Riga has increased its cargo turnover in all cargo segments, and managed to maintain and strengthen the leading port status among the ports of the Baltic States.
The volume of dry bulk cargo handled in the beginning of the current year has increased by 9,2 % compared to the first nine months of 2013. Overall, during 9 months of the current year 17,2 million tons were transshipped, which is more than half of the total volume of cargo handled at the Freeport of Riga.
A significant volume of freight is observed in chemical cargo segment, which can be explained by the new mineral transshipment terminal’s launch late last year. During the reporting period the amount of the transshipped mineral fertilizers increased by 55,8 % reaching 1,8 million tons. There is a continuing growth in coal traffic: +7,3 %, compared to nine months of the previous year. In fact, grain shipments increased threefold. There is an increase of scrap lumber (+25,5 %), saw timber (+2,6 %) and various metals (+22,2 %) transshipment. The total volume of unspecified cargo has reached 2 million tons.
During 9 months of the current year there has been a decrease of certain cargo transshipment - ferroalloy (-4 %), building materials (-70,1 %), wood chips (-44,7 %). It should be noted that these types of cargo constitute a minor share of the port overall operation.
In the general segment there is 6,7 %. increase compared to the previous year’s reporting period. Overall, 5,4 million tons were handled within this segment.
In the framework of the general cargo segment the amount of containerized cargo continues to grow as planned. During the first nine months of the current year, it has increased by 5,9 % and reached 3,1 million tons. There is 3,1 % increase in wood materials transshipment, which has reached the amount of 1,6 million tons, metal transshipment increased almost twofold, the amount of fish and chemical cargo is growing as well. There is 10,1 % decrease in Roll on / roll off cargo.
Assessing the current situation from a cargo volume growth perspective, this year was particularly successful for the liquid cargo segment. Its total volume grew by 33,5 %, including oil products transshipment increase by 33,9 %. Overall, 7,4 million tons of liquid bulk cargo were handled at the Freeport this year.
This year, the Port of Riga served 620 thousand passengers, that is by 6,6 % less than during the first nine months of 2013.