In January-December 2014, the port of Ventspils handled 26.2 mln t (+9%, year-on-year), the port authority informs. The second half of the year is said to be especially difficult for some terminals; the forecasts for 2015 are cautious.
Despite positive trends in the development of ferry services at Freeport of Ventspils and in operation of some terminals, general performance of the port was influenced by the sanctions, the statement says. They caused a considerable decrease of coal transit (-21%). The loss caused by the sanctions is said to make EUR 500,000 per month of which 10% loses state and 10% loses local government. The decline was also registered in the sectors of oil products and iron ore transshipment. Therefore, the port failed to achieve the planned throughput.
In spite of the planned reduction of 2015 budget, the Freeport of Ventspils Authority is not going to increase port service fees and will continue investing maximum resources to support the development of port infrastructure, the statement says.
The year of 2014 saw the opening of the new dry bulk terminal at the Freeport of Ventspils. The repair of Berth No. 34 was completed. Construction of Berth No.12 accommodating a new general cargo terminal is financed by the EU. With the EU resources, Freeport of Ventspils will continue its work aimed at improvement of the port infrastructure and reconstruction of access roads to terminal and industrial sites located within the Freeport of Ventspils. The reconstruction of the berth for the fleet of the Freeport of Ventspils Authority and repair of the protective wall is underway.
In 2015 Ventspils port infrastructure investments planned for 25.6 million euros, including 11.9 million euro from the European Union Cohesion Fund., and dismantling of Mooring No. 1 shall be continued to increase cargo turnover. Implementation of the launched projects will continue and a new project aimed at ground stabilization along some berths is to be launched soon. Continuing to develope an industrial sector, construction of two new industrial buildings has started -Electronics Centre and Technology Centre co-financed by EU funds. The new construction of „Hydraulic Bauteile Baltic” plant for the production of hydraulic couplings was completed in 2014.
There are positive trends in the development of ferry services at Freeport of Ventspils. From October 19, the number of ferry voyages to Nynäshamn (Sweden) was increased to 7 times per week. The amount of passengers at the Nynäshamn line of Stena Line increased by 39%, cargo transportation grew by 25%. Passenger turnover at the Travemünde line (Germany) surged by 41%. So, the port achieved a new record in 2014 —82,952 passengers and 72,758 cargo units.
Compared to the previous year, three out of ten terminals at the Freeport of Ventspils have increased their throughput in 2014: Ventspils Nafta termināls - 15%, Ventamonjaks serviss - 32%, Noord Natie Ventspils Terminals – 0.3%. The following terminals showed the decrease: Ventbunkers - 36%, Ventspils tirdzniecības osta - 29%, Ventall Termināls - 35%, Baltic Coal Terminal - 23%, Ventplac - 15%, Ventspils Grain Terminal – 8% and Kālija parks - 3%.
Ventspils port is located near Venta river. There are terminals for loading and unloading of crude and oil products, liquid chemicals and fertilizers, metal and coal, timber and fish, containers and Ro-Ro trailers.