In Latvia, Riga Freeport is on course to transfer all coal and dusty dry bulk handling to new facilities on Krievu Island by the beginning of next year. This will leave the Andrejosta and Eksportosta areas of the existing port relatively dust free in future.

The move is being partially funded by the European Union’s Cohesion Fund.

“As of 1 January 2019, not even a single tonne of coal will be processed in the city centre”, says Andris Ameriks, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Freeport of Riga.

“The co-financing of the Cohesion Fund was approved with a particular aim: to improve the quality of the environment in the centre of Riga whilst ensuring a possibility to establish new terminals in another part of the port.”

Work on the Krievu island project began in 2010. At the end of 2015, the core infrastructure of the project was completed. This consists of four piers, which have a combined length of 1.2km and alongside draught of 15.5m at the piers. All linking roads and utilities are also in place.

As part of Phase II, additional cargo storage areas are being built, the water supply and sewage systems expanded and the electricity capacity improved. A 23-

metre high ‘dust fence’ is also to be built to stop dust drifting onto nearby areas.

An automatic rail wagon tippler will be a particular feature of the new development. Not only will this be faster, but also cleaner than current facilities at the port.

“Thanks to new, modern technological solutions — underground automatic wagon turnover stations, bulk freight conveyor lines, coal spraying and the wind fence, it will be possible to ensure effective and environmentally friendly storage and transhipment of cargo on Krievu island”, says Ansis Zeltins?, CEO of the Freeport of Riga.

Barry Cross