40.9 mln tons of freight were carried by rail in Latvia in 9 months of 2008, an increase of 6.3% compared to the same period of the previous year, according to the Central Statistical Bureau.
In 9 months of 2008 national freights by rail have decreased by 15% and comprised 1.3 mln tons. However, in international transportation by rail 39.6 mln tons of freight were transported – 7.2% more compared to the January – September 2007. 79.6 % of the total international freight haulage by rail was accounted for by transportation through ports.
In nine months of 2008 freight transport by road has decreased – 43.1 mln tons of freight were transported which is 3.1 mln tons or 6.6 % less than in nine months of previous year.
The bulk (85.4 %) of the total volume of freight was carried by the national transport totalling 36.8 mln tons of freight, a decrease of 8.1 % on 9 months of 2007. In 9 months of 2008, compared to the same period of previous year, international freight transportation by road has increased by 2.9 % – 6.3 mln tons of freight were carried.
The freights carried by road are in transport on own account and in transport for hire or reward. In transport for hire or reward 30.7 mln tons of freight were carried which is 0.1% less compared to the nine months of 2007, in transport on own account – 12.4 mln tons of freight which is a decrease of 19.7% than in the nine months of 2007.
In nine months of 2008 by the oil products pipeline 4 mln tons of oil products were transported, a decrease of 19.6 % on the first three quarters of previous year.