OREANDA-NEWS. June 19, 2009. In the first five months of 2009 the Port of Klaipeda handled 10,82 million tons of marine cargo, i.e. by 16,5 % (-2,1 million tons) less than in corresponding period of  2008, reported the press-centre of Port of Klaipeda.

In January-May of this year, the growth in handling of all cargo types (liquid, dry and bulk, general) was recorded in Klaipeda port.

Changes in turnover of liquid cargo were influenced by continuous decrease in handling of the principal liquid cargo: oil products -9,3 proc (3,84 million tons handled in January-May, 2009, 4,24 million tons in January-May, 2008, change -394,3 thousand tons), liquid fertilizers -34,9 % (431,28 thousand tons handled in January-May, 2009, while 662,33 thousand tons – in January-May, 2008, change -231,1 thousand tons).

In January-May of this year, increase in bulk cargo turnover was recorded only for agricultural products (+145,49 thousand tons, 673,95 thousand tons handled, change +27,5 %) and  peat (+103,99 thousand tons, 181,11 thousand tons handled, change by +2,3 times). During the first five months of this year the biggest drop was recorded in handling of dry fertilizers (-510,29 thousand tons, 1,98 million tons handled, change -20,5 %), ferroalloys (-132,11 thousand tons, 89,35 thousand tons handled, change -59,7 %) and scrap metal (-110,77 thousand tons, 109,86 thousand tons handled, change -50,2 %), in comparison with the corresponding period of 2008.

In terms of general cargo nomenclature in January-May 2009, the growth was recorded only in handling of packed fertilizers (+21,44 thousand tons, 154,34 thousand tons handled, change +16,1 %).  Drop in handling figures continues for the following types of cargo: containers (by tonnage) (-337,68 thousand tons, 1,10 million tons handled, change -23,5 %), Ro-ro cargo  (by tonnage) (-296,75 thousand tons, 1,23 million tons handled, change -19,4 %), timber (-179,60 thousand tons, 150,59 thousand tons handled, change -54,4 %) and iron and metal ware (-59,79 thousand tons, 160,72 thousand tons handled, change -27,1 %).

In January-May, 2009 handling of container units (by TEU) in the port decreased by -29,4 % in comparison to the corresponding period of 2008 (105 061 TEU handled in January-May, 2009, change -43 722 TEU). Turnover of Ro-ro units decreased by -22,3 % (66 196 units handled in January-May, 2009, change -18 977 units).

During the first five months of this year, 82 882 thousand passengers visited Klaipeda, i.e. by +4,6 % more than in January-May, 2008. During the first month of this year’s cruise season, 8 cruise ships arrived to Klaipeda that brought more than 7 thousand passengers, i.e. almost 3 times more than during the corresponding period of last year. 

In comparison to the corresponding period of the last year, cargo handling figures of Butinge terminal in January-May, 2009 decreased by –1,7 % and amounted to 3,41 million tons.

During the first five months of this year the joint Port of Tallinn handled 12,94 million tons of cargo (change +1,2 %, in comparison with January-May, 2008). In terms of cargo handling, turnover of bulk and dry cargo decreased by -18,3 % or by -301,2 thousand tons, general cargo by -25,5% or by -534,6 thousand tons, while liquid cargo handling increased by +11,3 % or by +1,02 million tons. Liquid cargo accounted for the major share (77,4 %) in the general structure of cargo at the port of Tallinn.

In January-May, 2009, 1 081 freight ships called at the port of Tallinn, i.e. by 152 ships more than in the same period of 2008.

This year 2,58 million passengers visited the port of Tallinn, while in January-May, 2008 the number of passengers was 2,54  thousand (change +1,6 %).
 
In January-May, 2009 the port of Ventspils handled 12,46 million tons of cargo (12,75 million tons in January-May, 2008, change -2,3 %). During the first five months of this year, handling of liquid cargo in the port of Ventspils decreased by -3,6 % (8,71 million tons handled), handling of bulk and dry cargo decreased by -6,8 % (3,20 million tons handled), and general cargo decreased by -39,8 % (550 thousand tons handled) respectively, in comparison with  January-May of 2008 m.

In terms of cargo nomenclature, the biggest growth in cargo handling in January-May, 2009 was recorded in oil products - by +726 thousand tons (7,9 million tons handled in January-May, 2009, change +10,2 %) and coal - by +580 thousand tons (2,56 million tons handled in January-May of 2009, change +29,3 %). Cargo handling figures continue decreasing for the following cargo types in the port of Ventspils: fertilizers by -690 thousand tons (214 thousand tons handled in January-May, 2009, change -76,3 %), ammonia by -254 thousand tons (317 thousand tons handled in January-May, 2009, change -44,5%), Ro-ro cargoes  by -248 thousand tons (341 thousand tons handled in January-May, 2009., change -42,1%), raw oil –175 thousand tons (454 thousand tons handled in January-May, 2009, change -27,8%) and grain -160 thousand tons (130 thousand tons handled in January-May, 2009, change -55,2%).

The number of passengers in the neighbouring country in January-May, 2009 decreased by  2 791 passengers and amounted only to 4 771, i.e. by -36,9 % less than in January-May, 2008.

810 ships called at the port of Ventspils during the first five months of 2009 (by 96 ships less than in corresponding period of  2008).
 
In January-May . 2009 the port of Riga handled 12,24 million tons of cargo, i.e. by +2,2 % more in comparison with the corresponding period in 2008. The turnover at the port of Riga continues growing due to increase in handling of oil products (+35,3 %), coal (+11,7 %) and dry fertilizers (+13,8 %).

Turnover of bulk and dry cargo in January-May, 2009 in the port of Riga amounted to 7,96 million tons, i.e. by +119,1 thousand tons more than in January-May, 2008. In terms of bulk and dry cargo nomenclature, the biggest growth was recorded in handling of coal (6,24 million tons handled in 2009 or by +11,7 % more than in January-May, 2008 when 5,59 million tons were handled). Turnover of dry fertilizers amounted to 859,3 thousand tons or +13,8 % (755,2 thousand tons handled in January-May, 2008). Handling of coal accounted for 51,0 % of total cargo turnover at the port of Riga.

During the first five months of 2009 the figures in liquid cargo handling in the port of Riga increased by +34,6 % and amounted to 2,75 million tons. Handling of oil products, which accounts for 99,5% of total liquid cargo turnover, has increased by +35,3 %, 2,74 million tons handled.

The amount of general cargo handled in the port of Riga in January-May of this year decreased; 1,52 million tons were handled (-26,9 %, in comparison with  January-May of 2008 m.). In terms of general cargo nomenclature, containerized cargoes accounted for 697,4 thousand tons (-11,9 %), and timber for 555,2 thousand tons (-41,9 %).

In January-May of 2009 185,5 thousand passengers visited the port of Riga, while in corresponding period of 2008 this figure was 128,7 thousand (change 44,1 %).

The beginning of cruise season brought 19,02 thousand passengers to the port of Riga, i.e. by 2,4 times more in comparison to May of last year.

In January-May of 2009 the port of Liepaja handled 1,68 million tons of cargo (-22,8 % less than in January-May of 2008). In terms of cargo types, turnover of bulk and dry cargo decreased by -3,2 % (790,8 thousand tons handled in January-May of 200), turnover of liquid cargo decreased by -56,0 % (202,6 thousand tons handled in January-May of 2009), and turnover of general cargo increased by +6,0 % (683,7 thousand tons handled in January-May of 2009).

Handling results of main cargoes handled in the port of Liepaja in the first five months of 2009 were as follows: grain +11,4 % (673,3 thousand tons handled, change +69,0 thousand tons), oil products -67,1 % (95,5 thousand tons handled, change -194,6 thousand tons), metals -1,9 % (perhandled 229,1 thousand tons, change -4,4 thousand tons), timber -22,4 % (perhandled 180,4 thousand tons, change -52,0 thousand tons) less in comparison to the same period of 2008. Handling of container units in the port of Liepaja in January-May of this year amounted to 300 TEU, i.e. -91,4 % or -3 208 TEU.