Port of Ventspils throughput drops 14.1% to 22.5 million tonnes
Cargo volumes handled at Lativa's Port of Ventspils in 2015 shrank by 14.1% year-on-year to 22.5 million tonnes, the Port Authority statistics said.
In the reporting period cargo handling at the terminal of Ventspils Nafta Terminals fell 17% to 9.7 million tonnes, at Baltic Coal Terminal – dropped by 45% to 1.9 million tonnes. Cargo volumes shipped through the terminal of Kalija Parks plummeted 91% to 142,000 tonnes.
The following six terminals at the port demonstrated throughput growth: Ventall Terminals reported a 91% surge in annual cargo volumes; Ventbunkers (+ 6%), Ventspils Trade Port (+ 5%), Noord Natie Ventspils Terminals (+ 5%) and Ventamonjaks (+ 2%). Ventspils Grain Terminal also doubled its volumes but the terminal had 273 days of inactivity and in the reporting period it utilized only 25% of its projected capacity.
In 2015, the country's government launched large-scale port infrastructure expansion projects, valued at more than 30 million euros. The projects were co-financed through EU Cohesion Fund, nearly 85% of the total costs. The funds (11 million euros) were invested in reconstruction / construction of industrial zones and access roads. The largest investment projects in the industrial area were associated with the construction of two production facilities: Electronics Center which was commissioned in May, the Technology Centre project is currently being finalized.
Soil stabilization at Berth No 2 and 3 is being completed as well as the strengthening of piers and shoreline on the left bank of the Venta.
Port of Ventspils is located near the mouth of the Venta. The port handles primarily crude oil and oil products, liquid chemicals, fertilizers, metals, timber and fish products, coal, containers and Ro-Ro semi-trailers. In 2014 cargo throughput at the port totaled 26.2 million tonnes.
