OREANDA-NEWS. May 07, 2008. During January-April 2008, 10,45 million tons of cargo was handled in Klaipeda port. It is by 22,0 percent more than during the same period 2007, reported the press-centre of Klaipeda port.

The biggest volumes of growth were those of agricultural products (3,2 times), raw sugar (2,3 times), alloys (53,5 percent),peat (36,4 percent), timber and forestry products (32,5 percent), oil products (29,2 percent), bulk fertilizers (29,1 percent) and containers (from the point of view of tonnage) (25,8 percent) during January—April 2008 comparing to January-April 2007.

Handling of containers increased by 24,0 percent  (in  TEU), and ro-ro units handling remained in the level of last year.

During the first four months of this year the total number of ferry passengers increased by  6,3 percent and made 57,6 thousand.

In Butinge terminal during January-April 2008, 2,66 million tons of crude oil was handled (the total stevedoring volume increased by 2 times). This growth was predetermined by the growth of the number of tankers served in Butinge terminal (26 tankers were served during January-April 2008, and during January-April 2007 - 13 tankers).
 
2,56 million tons of cargo was handled in Klaipeda port during April 2008, i.e. by 16,9 percent more comparing to April 2007.

During April 2008 there significantly increased stevedoring volumes of bulk and dry bulk cargo, by  +21,5 percent each.  General cargo volumes increased by  7,7 percent.

The growth of liquid cargo volume was predetermined by the growth of oil products handling (during April 2008, 0,79 million tons was handled, and during April 2007 – 0,62 million tons, difference  +26,8 percent). Stevedoring volumes of liquid fertilizers remained in the level of last year.

Analysing the types of bulk cargo there is further on observed the growth of stevedoring volumes of agricultural products (2,8 times), alloys (2,3 times) and bulk fertilizers (23,5 percent) comparing to April 2007. The biggest stevedoring volumes were those of fertilizers and there were more than 0,5 million tons handled (according to the stevedoring volume it is the second result after oil products handling). There slightly decreased stevedoring volumes of peat, minerals and bulk scrap metals.

Significant growth is observed in handling general cargo such as iron and steel products (+31,3 percent) and containers (from the point of view of tonnage) (+24,3 percent).  Ro-ro cargo (from the point of view of tonnage) and timber handling volumes remained in the level of April last year. There decreased stevedoring volumes of cold cargo and packed fertilizers.

Handling of containers (in TEU) increased by 31,5 percent comparing to April 2007, and ro-ro units handling remained in the level of April last year.

15,6 thousand passengers visited the port during the second spring month in Klaipeda port, i.e. the flow of passengers remained in the level of the same period last year.