In the first six months of the year 2009, 14.8 million tons of cargo were handled at the Freeport of Riga, 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 30.4% in the first six months of the year and reached 3.3 million tons. This year, 3.28 million tons of oil products have been handled at the port, which is 31.3% more compared to January-June 2008.
There was a 2.9% increase in bulk cargo handled at the port, reaching 9.6 million tons.
Most of the bulk cargo handled was coal – 7.52 million tons, or 13% more than in H1 2008. The port also handled 13.1% more chemicals than in the first six months of 2008.
The Riga port also provided services to 291,328 passengers in January-June 2009, which is an increase of 60.1% on last year.
As reported, in 2008, the port handled a total of 29.56 million tons of cargo, which is 14% more when compared to 2007.