The port of Riga as a distribution center for UA cargo

With the aim to explore new opportunities for cooperation and promote the development of the transit industry, the Freeport of Riga Authority and port companies participated in the Latvian Transport Days in Ukraine from 30 August to 2 September. The plan of the Transport Days events included meetings with the top level state and municipal officials, participation in the seminar, contact exchange, as well as in the international exhibition Trans Expo Odessa 2021.

The current intensity of inbound and outbound cargo between the port of Riga and Ukraine is limited - in 2020, these cargo accounted for only 0.26% of the total transshipped cargo volume. In addition, it should be noted that all these consignments were sent by land. The low share of cargo in the port of Riga is mainly explained by the fact that the performance of Ukrainian ports successfully ensures handling of the sea cargo volume on a local scale.

Ansis Zeltins, the Freeport of Riga CEO:

 “It is no secret that Ukraine has large and powerful ports, as well as developed industry, metalworking and mining sectors, so in the framework of this visit we focused on establishing contacts with large Ukrainian manufacturing companies, presenting them potential business and investment opportunities in the Port of Riga. Unlike other European ports, which have practically no free territories for development, one of the advantages of the Port of Riga is the availability of free territories for large-scale development projects. Taking into account the fact that Ukrainian entrepreneurs discern the Riga port’s capacity for further sales of their products and goods in the EU and Scandinavian markets, the availability of free territories, as well as tax relief benefits make the Port of Riga an attractive location for such distribution centers and new investments”.

Within the framework of the Transport Days, a seminar “Development Opportunities of the North-South Transport Corridor” organized by LIAA took place on 30 August, when Latvian transport entrepreneurs presented the advantages of the Latvian transport and logistics sector, as well as met with Ukrainian businessmen.

During the Latvian delegation's visit to the port of Odessa on 31 August, the head of its Administration, Maksim Lapai, welcomed the exchange of knowledge and experience between the ports of Riga and Odessa, hoping for the same good cooperation in the future. Specialists of the Port of Riga have advised the management of the Port of Odessa on issues related to port management, digitization, cost optimization, and other areas important for the development of the port.

The delegation for the Latvian Transport Days in Ukraine consisted of the industry representatives – the Ministry of Transport, which provides political support, SJSC “Latvijas Dzelzceļš”, as well as Latvian major port authorities and their merchants with a joint Latvian transit corridor offer. This is especially important for the Ukrainian market, because rail transport plays an important role in attracting cargo from Ukraine.

Source: rop.lv