OREANDA-NEWS. December 30, 2009. Cargo turnover at the port of Riga (Latvia) in 2009 will be at about 30 million tons, next year- at 31 million tons.

Further expected increase in cargo handling at port depends on the progress of projects on the island Kriyevu, a site for building several berths for coal and other bulk cargoes. "We are ready to begin construction very soon, but the timing depends on the implementation of government’s decisions", said Leonid Loginov.

According to earlier report, the Riga port cargo turnover for recent eleven months has totaled 27.24 million tons of cargo, 1.3% more from the year earlier. The volume of transshipped bulk cargo has fallen 1.5% - down to 17.27 million tons, general cargo by 11.7% - to 3.9 million tons. At the same time, liquid cargo turnover has increased by 23.8% - to 5.99 million tons.

Freeport of Riga stretches on both banks of the River Daugava (Western Dvina), the total port’s area - 6 348 ha, length of berths - 13818 m, maximum draft of vessels at berth - 12,2 m. Transit cargo shipped to or from the CIS countries make up to 80% of the total turnover of the Riga Free Port. As of now 31 stevedore companies and 40 of ship's agency service are operating in the port. In 2008 the port handled 29.56 million tons.