Transport and storage

From the transport and logistics point of view, Latvia has the best location to establish a business in Northern Europe. Just look at the map! Latvia is at the heart of Europe’s fastest-growing area — the Baltic Sea region (northeast part of Europe). Due to the geographical advantages that serve as a gateway between Scandinavia, Central Europe, and Eastern Europe, logistics has always been a priority area in Latvia. If we speak about the capital – Riga – it is the largest Baltic city, located in the middle of the Baltic region. 

Latvian transport and storage sector is diversified, with sea and railway transport being important export services. Thus, Latvia is a natural home for regional headquarters and distribution centres of international companies. The sector is enhanced by the modernization and implementation of high-tech solutions and automation to processes. Competitive labour and favourable government policies aimed at improving the road infrastructure, promoting railway freight, and promoting ICT and new technologies further contribute to the potential.

 

Port of Riga​​​​​

Port of Riga in numbers: 

  • Total land area of the port: 1,962 ha 

  • Available land for investment projects: 110 ha 

  • Cargo handled: 18.1 million tons in 2024 

  • Max/Min draft: Max draft: 15m 

  • Open cargo areas: 2,250,914 m² 

  • Number of employees: ~4,000 

  • Special economic zone: Freeport of Riga 

Port of Riga Planned Development Territories: 

  • Located 6 km from the city center (approximately a 15-minute drive) 

  • Strategically the most significant area in the port 

  • Deep-water access 

  • Equipped with modern customs facilities 

  • Road and railway infrastructure reconstruction and development with a total length of up to 2.3 km 

  • Infrastructure development is planned to be completed by 2028. Status: 

    • The total funding planned is EUR 86 million, including funding from the European Regional Development Fund and the national budget 

    • Investment is being sought for the development of the territory

Port of Liepaja

Port of Liepaja in numbers: 

  • Dry land area: abt. 1200 ha  

  • Cargo turnover (2024): 7.5 million tons  

  • Max draft: 12.8 m;  

  • Max ship length: 240 m;  

  • Port Berths: 47 active berths (~7,000 m total) 

  • Open cargo storage: 545 191m2  

  • Number of employees – more than 2000  

  • Special Economic Zone: Liepaja Special Economic Zone 

  • Connectivity: 

    • Liepaja is linked to Riga via the A9 main road. The A11 (approx. 60 km) connects Liepaja to the Lithuanian border. 

    • The city is integrated into the 1520 mm gauge railway system, enabling direct freight access to CIS and Asian countries. 

    • Liepaja International Airport (LPX) 

    • Direct ferry to Travemünde (Germany) 

Port of Liepaja Planned Development Territories 

  • Length of berths: up to 500 m 

  • Terminal area: 91ha  

  • Berth load capacity: up to 50 t/m² 

  • Preferred business sectors: Wind energy technology component manufacturing 

  • Draft at the site: up to 12.5 m 

  • Max vessel length: up to 250 m 

  • Infrastructure development is planned to be completed by 2028. 

Status:  

  • an offshore wind support base and heavy cargo terminal at the Port of Liepaja in Latvia developed by consortium of companies: VanOord, Euroports, Smulders 

  • Hydrogen and Green Ammonia Production developed by NOR WEA Gen and Latvian Joint Venture CIS Liepaja 

Port of Ventspils 

Port of Ventspils in numbers:

  • Total land area of the port: ~2,450 ha 

  • Available land for investment projects: ~500 ha  

  • Cargo handled: 8.234 million tons 

  • Max/Min draft: Non-freezing, deep-water harbor (17 m).  

  • Port Berths: 64 active berths (~11,984 m total) 

  • Number of employees: ~800 (in port terminals) 

  • Connectivity (Railway/Roads): 

    • Ferry connection (Ro-Pax) to Nynäshamn, Sweden, trip duration: ~8.5 hours, twice per day 

    • East-West railway corridor 

    • E22 motorway 

    • Ventspils Airport 

  • Special Economic Zone: Ventspils Free Port 

  • Current berth load capacity: Up to 10 t/m² 

Port of Ventspils Planned Development Territories 

  • Max vessel length: 275 m 

  • Terminal area: 40-50 ha  

  • Bearing capacity: 10 – 50 t/m2  

  • Draft: 15,5 m  

  • Quayside lenght: 600 m 

  • Berth load capacity: Up to 50 t/m² 

  • Hinterland manufacturing area: ~100ha  

  • Preferred business sectors: 

    • Wind turbine manufacturing base 

    • Assembly port for wind turbines  

    • Service port and wind farm control centre 

    • Power-to-X  

    • Green fuel storage and transport through the port 

  • Status: Investment is being sought for the development of the territory 

Port of Salacgriva 

Port of Salacgriva in numbers:

  • Total land area of the port: Approximately 100 hectares 

  • Cargo handled: Primarily timber, wood products, and other general cargo. Annual capacity around 500,000–700,000 tons 

  • Max/Min draft: 5.5–6.5 m 

  • Number of employees: ~100  

  • Connectivity (Railway/Roads): 

    • No direct rail access, but connected by regional roads to national highway network 

    • Close access to Via Baltica (E67) for north-south freight movement 

    • Nearest major rail terminal: Skulte or Riga, depending on cargo routing 

Opportunity of the Wind energy in the port of Salacgriva 

With several offshore wind farm (OWF) developments in the Gulf of Riga, Salacgriva port is welcoming the offshore wind industry. 

According to the finished Environmental Impact Assessment, it is possible to develop the port an additional 55 ha. 

Special Economic Zone (SEZ) support 

Establishing production in SEZ territory allows the investor to enjoy tax benefits, optimal logistics, good infrastructure, utilities and support. To get further information on the SEZ support click here.

 

 Downloads

Transport and Logistics fact sheet

Contacts

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