Lithuanian administration is currently discussing the possibility of new moorages construction for Baltmax heavy-tonnage tankers mooring not far from Klaipeda port, stated Arunas Shtaras, Deputy Minister of Communications of the country.
‘As Klaipeda citizens are against deep-water port project implementation, Lithuanian Administration decided to discuss the alternative option, namely, to fit out special berths for Baltmax vessels mooring,’ sites Transportation Business.
‘Lithuania needs a deep-water port. The issue is included into the Administration program and has to be solved, but the problem remains,’ stated Arunas Shtaras.
The possibility to accept heavy-tonnage vessels would make it easier for the country to import oil and export oil products.
As per the preliminary estimations, deep-water port construction on an artificial island would amount to about Euro 666 million.
Klaipeda Seaport is the northernmost ice-free port on the Eastern coast of the Baltic Sea. It is the largest transportation center of the Republic of Lithuania linking sea and inland routes
19 big stevedoring companies, ship - repair and ship – building yards operate within the port and all marine business and cargo handling services are being rendered. The annual port cargo handling capacity is up to 40 million tons. The port is capable of handling dry cargo carriers of up to 70,000 tons in deadweight and tankers of up to 100,000 tons in deadweight. Klaipeda remains the only port of Western Baltics not designed to accept heavy-tonnage vessels of Baltmax type to the date.