Transportation of petroleum products through LRT pipelines in 2017 totaled 3.4 mln t down 6% Y-o-Y
In 2017, 3.4 million tonnes of petroleum products were transported through LLC “LatRosTrans” (LRT) pipelines; this is 6% less than in 2016.
The management of the company explains the results with the objective overall decrease in cargo amounts in the Baltic States. Last year, in Latvian ports the amount of Russian transit decreased in all types of cargos, except coal. The flow of this cargo type was ensured by the deficit in the traditional market. The decrease in the amount of transported Russian oil products can be partially explained with the reorientation of the main cargo flows to Russian sea ports, geopolitical aspects and domestic changes in the Russian oil products market. This is the primary reason LRT has experienced diminished cargo transport volumes. It must also be taken into account that, compared to 2016, the volume of petroleum products from Belarus has declined, and competition to transport this cargo by rail has grown between Latvia and Lithuania. In the frame of competition both countries tried to offer the lowest price for railway services.
Company leaders also point out that, despite the current competition and tendency to reduce cargo flow through pipelines, LRT continues to hold the lowest and most lucrative price for cargo transported in the direction of Ventspils freeport. Currently, the firm's main priorities are to halt the reduction of cargo volumes, maintain the good technical condition of the equipment, and prevent theft from the company's pipelines. Thanks to successful preventative measures, technological loss during product transportation was only 0.06% last year, and no illegal connections to the pipeline system were allowed. If any such connections occurred, they were immediately discovered.
Last year the company also focused on environmental protection, responsible use of natural resources and reduction of accident risks that could occur as a result of the company's infrastructural work. The firm is equipped with all of the necessary equipment to effectively prevent soil contamination and leak of petroleum product emulsion in the case of an illegal connection.
“LatRosTrans” is a crude oil and petroleum product transport company that provides diesel fuel transportation through the main pipeline of Polotsk-Ventspils. The company also owns oil pipelines Polotsk-Mažeikiai and Polotsk-Ventspils, through which oil transit has not been necessary in recent years. “Ventspils Nafta” is the largest owner of “LatRosTrans,” with a 66% capital share; 34% belongs to Russian petroleum product pipeline monopoly “Transneftprodukt.”
