Klaipeda Port traffic volume dips 9 percent
Freight flows passing through the Port of Klaipeda in January-May 2012 fell 9 percent compared to the same period in 2011, to 13.9 million tons, the Port Authority said.
The five-month volume of liquid bulk decreased by 6.8% to 4,254,000 tons, handling of suction and grab bulk cargo dropped 12.6% to 5,159,000 tons, general cargo – by 6.5% to 4,488,000 tons.
In the reporting period, the port saw 2,807 arrivals (+2.2%, 60 vessels). Passenger traffic increased by 8.4% to 117,240 people.
Shipments of crude oil through Butinge terminal fell by 17.4% to 2,807,000 tons. The five-month volume of fertilizer amounted to 3,210,000 tons (-21,9%), of rolling cargoes – 1,947,000 tons (-4.9%).
State-run Port of Klaipeda, the northernmost ice-free port on the East coast of the Baltic Sea, is the largest Lithuanian transport hub, connecting sea and inland traffic lanes. There are 17 stevedore companies, shipyards and other operators at the port, providing a broad range of services. In 2011, Port of Klaipeda cargo throughput rose 36 million tons from 31.27m tons a year before.