In January-October, 2008, the Freeport of Riga (Latvia) handled 24.284.60 million tonnes of cargo (+13.2%, year-on-year), the port informs.
In the reported period, transshipment of loose dry cargo grew by 26.4% to 15.807.4 million tonnes including 295,900 tonnes of grain and grain products (up 2.2 times).
Transshipment of general cargo fell by 13.3% to 4.149 million tonnes. Container throughput fell by 1.1% to 173,484 TEU. Transshipment of ro-ro cargo increased by 34.1% to 554,1oo tonnes.
In January-October the port handled 4.328.2 million tonnes of liquid bulk cargo (+4.1%) including 4.277.9 million tonnes of oil products (+3.8%) and 50,300 tonnes of other liquid bulk cargo (+52.9%).
Freeport of Riga lies on both banks of the River Daugava covering 15 kilometres in length. Loading capacity (assessed) at the terminals of the Freeport of Riga accounts for 45 million tons per annum.
In 2007 the volume of the transshipped cargoes has reached 25,9 million tons – it is the highest index during all the 805 years of Riga port activities.
Up to 80% of the Freeport of Riga cargo turnover is made up of transit cargoes forwarded to or received from the CIS. 31 stevedore companies and 40 shipping agents successfully operate at the Freeport of Riga. Main types of cargo handled at the Freeport of Riga are containers, various metals, timber, coal, mineral fertilizers, chemical cargoes, oil and food products.