Cargo handling in ports of Baltic countries continues to decline
Source:hellenicshippingnews 2013-10-11 10:11:00
In January-August 2013, almost all ports of Baltic countries, ie Riga, Tallinn, Klaipeda, Ventspils and Liepaja, handled less cargo than a year earlier, reported Klaipeda port authority.
The only exception was Klaipeda that increased cargo handling 1.1% in a year to 28.39m tonnes.
The biggest decline in cargo handling was recorded by Liepaja that handled 32.4% less cargo, at 3.12m tonnes.
Of large ports, the biggest loss was posted by Port of Tallinn that saw its cargo volume shrink by 4.1% to 19.36m tonnes from Jan-Aug.
Riga Freeport handled 23.35m tonnes of cargo which is 5.7% less than in eight months 2012.
Ventspils handled 5% less cargo at 20.7m tonnes.
The biggest Russian competitor of Baltic ports-Ust Luga-had a strong first eight months.
Ust Luga boosted cargo volume almost 42% in a year, from 28.2m tonnes to 40m tonnes.
Port of St Petersburg handled 2.3% less cargo, totalling 37.5m tonnes.