With a view to ensuring the ongoing monitoring of the coal loading process and rapid identification of any potential deviations during coal loading, the Freeport of Riga Authority has installed a surveillance camera opposite the Krievu Island Terminal. According to the port’s statement, images recorded by the camera are available online.
This was a response to complaints received from local residents about increased coal dusting observed during the coal loading process on Krievu Island. The Freeport of Riga Authority has conducted an investigation and established that increased coal dusting has occasionally taken place. The reason is that active coal handling began on Krievu Island in February of this year, when undertakings operating in the port were still implementing and adjusting their new equipment and loading processes. This is a time-consuming process, when equipment failure may affect the overall loading process, thereby leading to temporary increases in coal dust produced.
It is to be recalled that, aiming to preserve the quality of life of people living in the territories that are adjacent to the terminal and pursuant to conditions formulated by the State Environmental Bureau with regard to environmental impact assessment, the Freeport of Riga Authority has constructed two new air monitoring stations in addition to a 23-metre wind fence, which was built in the territory of Krievu Island to reduce the impact of prevailing winds on the spread of dust in the local environment. One of the stations is located in the north-west part of the newly constructed terminal of Krievu Island, while the other station is situated in the direct vicinity of residential areas near Lielupes Street in Bolderāja. If necessary, the Freeport of Riga Authority may decide to build additional air monitoring stations, depending on the situation.
Devices at these monitoring stations (dust analysers) can separate PM10 from other dust particles and measure their concentration in ambient air. The stations conform to all European Commission’s requirements and standards, and operate online, ensuring the ongoing transmission of measurement data. Data derived by the monitoring stations can be provided to the State Environmental Service, entities of the Freeport of Riga Authority and undertakings operating in the port, while monthly data are available on the website of the Freeport of Riga Authority.
The Freeport of Riga Authority invites citizens to call the Operational Control Division of the Port Police at tel. 67090777 if they observe any potential deviations, and all necessary actions will be taken to identify the situation, which will be reported to the State Environmental Service immediately.
In 2012, the Freeport of Riga Authority launched the project “Development of Infrastructure on Krievu Island for the Transfer of Port Activities from the City Centre” to free the centre of Riga from coal cargo and transfer the handling of coal to new terminals equipped with modern technologies on Krievu Island. On 31 December 2015, the construction of the principal infrastructure of the Krievu Island Terminal was completed, which included 4 deep-water piers (ship draughts of 15.5 m) with a total length of 1,180 m and the necessary access road and utility infrastructure.
Alongside the construction of additional infrastructure begun by the Freeport of Riga Authority in September 2017, stevedoring companies are building administrative and process buildings and installing special purpose equipment for coal handling, crushing, transportation and loading onto ships.