According to optimistic forecast cargo throughput of Latvian ports is expected to grow year-over-year by 6-7% to about 65 million tons in 2011, said Uldis Reimanis, Deputy State Secretary, Ministry of Transport of Latvia, PortNews correspondent reported. Mr. Reimanis who was speaking at the Baltic Forum in Riga said that at least successful scenario cargo transshipment through the country's ports will remain at 2010’s volume.
At the same time the country’s ports plan to reach the volume of 100 million tons by 2025, or a 66-percent gain from the 2010. The increase will be achieved through the involvement of transit goods from Asia and construction of new facilities in ports, the official said. The Ministry of Transport believes the rail infrastructure gauge of Russian standard (1520mm), some tax breaks, benefits, etc. can make Latvian ports attractive as transit hubs for cargo flows from Asia.
Latvia has three major ports - Riga, Ventspils and Liepaja, as well as 7 small ones. In 2010, the aggregate cargo throughput of the country's ports amounted to 61.16 million tons. Earlier, the Ministry of Transport of Latvia has initiated introduction of a special economic zones regime at the country’s ports. The Ministry plans to extend the status of ‘free ports’ after 2017.
At the same time the country’s ports plan to reach the volume of 100 million tons by 2025, or a 66-percent gain from the 2010. The increase will be achieved through the involvement of transit goods from Asia and construction of new facilities in ports, the official said. The Ministry of Transport believes the rail infrastructure gauge of Russian standard (1520mm), some tax breaks, benefits, etc. can make Latvian ports attractive as transit hubs for cargo flows from Asia.
Latvia has three major ports - Riga, Ventspils and Liepaja, as well as 7 small ones. In 2010, the aggregate cargo throughput of the country's ports amounted to 61.16 million tons. Earlier, the Ministry of Transport of Latvia has initiated introduction of a special economic zones regime at the country’s ports. The Ministry plans to extend the status of ‘free ports’ after 2017.