Five million tons of cargo was handled at the Port of Riga, which is a 6.7% increase on the results of the respective period of 2008 in the first two months, as the port's strategic planning and project management department informed LETA.
The largest turnover increase was observed in liquid cargo handled at the port, which increased by 41.5% in the first two months of the year and reached 1.2 million tons. This year, 1.19 million tons of oil products have been handled at the port, which is 42% more when compared to January-February 2008.
On the other hand, there was a 6.6% increase in bulk cargo handled at the port, reaching 3.27 million tons.
Most of the bulk cargo handled was coal – 2.57 million tons, or 19.4% more than in the first two months of 2008. The port also handled 371,600 tons of chemicals, which is 5.7% more than in the first two months of 2008.
The Port of Riga also provided services to 48,910 passengers in the first two months of the year, which is an increase of 37.6% on last year.
As reported, in 2008, the Port of Riga handled a total of 29.56 million tons of cargo, which is 14% more when compared to 2007.