In the first quarter of 2009, the port of Riga handled 7.455 million tonnes of cargo (+6.5%, year-on-year), the port informs according to Interfax.
In the reported period, transshipment of loose cargo amounted to 4.873 million tonnes (+5.2%) including 3.803 million tonnes of coal (+15.6%), 532,600 million tonnes of chemical cargo (mineral fertilizers) (+12.8%), 144,800 tonnes of wood chips (-39.8%).
Transshipment of liquid bulk cargo increased by 45.8% to 1.717 million tonnes including 1.706 million tonnes of oil products (+46.1%).
Transshipment of general cargo totaled 865,300 tonnes (-27.1%) including 390,600 tonnes of containerized cargo (-8.1%), 293,700 tonnes of sawn timber (-47.2%), roll on/roll off cargo - 130,300 tonnes (up 5.8%).
In 2008, throughput of Riga port increased by 14%, year-on-year, to 29.566 million tonnes.
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.
Throughput of Riga port up 6.5% to 7.5 mln t in Q1 09
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.