OREANDA-NEWS. January 12, 2010. Freight throughput of the port of Liepaja (Latvia) in 2009 increased by 4,6% - to 4,38 million tons.

Cargo turnover at the port of Liepaja (Latvia) in 2009 totaled 4.38 million tons, a year-over-year 4.6% growth. According to "The Baltic Course" citing the data of the Liepaja Special Economic Zone (SEZ), the larger share in the cargo turnover was the bulk cargoes - 46%. In recent year Liepaja port handled some 2 million tons of cargoes, 7.5% growth compared with 2008.

General cargo turnover increased by 21.4% to 1.72 million tons, while oil products transshipment fell to 658.2 thousand tons.

According to Guntars Krievinsh, the manager of Liepaja SEZ, in recent year the most successful at the port appeared to be ferry freight traffic on the route Liepaja-Lubeck, carrying general cargo and bulk cargo terminals.

Liepajas osta LM company showed a rebound in cargo transshipment - 1,176 million tones (just 7.47% drop in comparison with 2008). Freight turnover of Transit Service Agency company was 1.14 million tons, Terrabalt - 385 thousand tons.

Liepaja port was created back in the 90-es on the former USSR naval base. The port is one of the top three Latvian ports, the third in freight throughput volume. Half of the port’s total cargo turnover was due to oil and bulk cargoes delivered from the CIS countries, first of all, Belarus. In 2008, cargo throughput of the port of Liepaja exceeded 4.188 million tons of cargo.