2021: Coal returns at the Freeport of Ventspils

The last year at the Freeport of Ventspils was saturated with responsible challenges and ordeals, but also with unforgettably positive moments. 2022 promises to bring no lower responsibilities.

 

The year of 2021 was full of challenges for the terminals operating at the Freeport of Ventspils. Competition for cargoes is very fierce among the stevedores at the Baltic ports, furthermore, volumes of transit cargoes are heavily affected by geopolitical conditions. However, this year has shown several interesting tendencies. First – while the volume of transit cargoes transported via Latvia decreases, importance of local cargoes grows, and both the freeport authority and terminals are ready for a flexible adjustment to the market requirements for better competitiveness.

 

For example, following significant investments in its infrastructure, “K lija parks”, which was built for handling fertilizer back in the day, now also accepts grain cargoes. Those cargo groups, that are not directly dependent on the geopolitical conditions indicate a continuous steady growth – Ro-Ro cargoes, timber products, agricultural products, liquid chemicals, metals, etc. Furthermore, the second half of the year, showed positive trends in coal handling. During the period, when Russia has directed its coal cargoes to its own ports, the Freeport of Ventspils has managed to interest coal carriers from Kazakhstan.

 

Dry Cargo International