Freight volumes handled at the Freeport of Riga (Latvia) in January-May 2011 rose by 15.7% compared with the same period last year, to 14,09 million tons, the Port Authority said.
In the reporting period transshipment of oil products increased by 43.9% from a year earlier, to 3.65 million tons, handling of timber cargo rose 4.2% to 1,14 million tons, of coal – was up 9. 2% to 5,41 million tons. Shipment of grain and ore surged nearly 1,5 times to 202,000 tons and 309,500, respectively. Chemical goods volume rose by 9.1% to 609,200 tons (fertilizer – 608,700 tons). There was more than a twofold gain in metals volume, up to 253,800 tons. Handling of wood chips was down 20.8% to 417,700 tons.
Port's container throughput increased by 25% to 117,720 tons, Ro-Ro cargo grew by 6.5% to 39,770 units.
Freeport of Riga is situated on both banks of the River Daugava (Western Dvina). The port encompasses 6.348 ha, 13.818-m waterline. Riga port can accommodate vessels with maximum draft of 12.2 m. The bulk of freight volumes passing through the port are transit cargoes (80%), shipped to / from the CIS countries. In 2010, cargo throughput of Port of Riga was up 2.5% to 30,475 million tons.