Port of Klaipėda Achieves Sustained Double-Digit Cargo Growth

The Port of Klaipėda has reported handling nearly 36 million tonnes of cargo in the first eleven months of the year, a performance marked by sustained double-digit growth compared to the same period in the previous year. This significant increase is primarily attributed to robust activity in containerized cargo, ro-ro freight transported via ferries, and liquefied natural gas (LNG) handling, solidifying Klaipėda’s position as the leading port in the Baltic States.

Containerized cargo has been a major driver of this expansion, with the port managing almost 12 million tonnes over the eleven-month period. This represents a substantial 29% increase year-on-year and now constitutes 33% of the port’s total cargo throughput. Complementing this, the port has handled nearly 1.2 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), a 23% rise from the previous year. Notably, Klaipėda achieved the one-million-TEU milestone in October, an unprecedented feat for the port, arriving significantly earlier than its usual December achievement.

Ro-ro freight, encompassing vehicles transported by ferries, also continues to be a vital contributor to the port’s success. This segment saw a 7% increase, with just over 6 million tonnes handled during the reporting period. Combined, containerized and ro-ro cargo now account for half of the port’s total cargo throughput.

The LNG sector also experienced strong upward momentum, with volumes rising by 17% year-on-year to reach 2.2 million tonnes. Furthermore, the port handled 3.4 million tonnes of oil products, a 4% improvement over the previous year. Growth was also evident in other key categories, with minerals and construction materials handling increasing by 7% to nearly 2 million tonnes, and fertilizer volumes growing by 3% to 1.6 million tonnes.

Passenger numbers also showed steady growth. A total of 399,155 passengers arrived at the Port of Klaipėda by sea during the first eleven months. Of these, 76,600 were cruise ship passengers, surpassing the 2017 record by nearly 2,000 tourists.

While the port has seen an impressive increase in grain handling to 3.6 million tonnes (an increase of 204,000 tonnes or 5% compared to the same period last year), it is important to note declines in scrap metal and timber volumes, which decreased by 13% and 17% respectively.

The Port of Klaipėda’s exceptional performance positions it as the clear leader among Baltic ports and the only one currently experiencing double-digit growth. This stands in contrast to ports in Riga and Liepāja, which saw cargo volumes decline by 7% and 2% respectively, and Ventspils, which recorded an 8% increase.

Port of Klaipėda’s cargo volumes maintain double-digit growth