The Port of Klaipėda on a steady course: cargo volumes maintain double-digit growth

The Port of Klaipėda in Lithuania has seen nearly 36 million tonnes of cargo pass through its facilities in the first eleven months of the year, marking a double-digit increase compared to the same period last year. The port remains the leading cargo hub among the Baltic States, driven by growth in containerized cargo, ro-ro freight, and liquefied natural gas.

Klaipėda Port Cargo Volumes Surge

Nearly 12 million tonnes of containerized cargo were handled at the Port of Klaipėda over the first eleven months, a 29% increase year-on-year. This segment now accounts for 33% of the port’s total cargo throughput.

The port has already handled almost 1.2 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) this year, a 23% increase. Klaipėda reached the milestone of one million TEUs in October, earlier than in any previous year – traditionally achieved in December.

Ro-ro cargo, or freight vehicles transported by ferries, also contributed to the growth, recording a 7% increase with just over 6 million tonnes handled. Combined, containerized cargo and ro-ro freight represent half of the port’s total cargo volume.

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) volumes increased by 17% year-on-year, reaching 2.2 million tonnes. Oil product handling rose by 4% to 3.4 million tonnes, while minerals and construction materials saw a 7% increase, totaling nearly 2 million tonnes. Fertilizer volumes also increased, up 3% to 1.6 million tonnes.

Passenger Numbers and Grain Handling

The Port of Klaipėda also recorded steady growth in passenger arrivals, with 399,155 passengers arriving by sea since the beginning of the year. Cruise ships brought 76.6 thousand passengers, surpassing the 2017 record by nearly 2 thousand tourists.

Grain handling reached 3.6 million tonnes, a slight increase of 5% compared to the 204 thousand tonnes handled during the same period last year. Volumes of scrap metal and timber decreased by 13% and 17% respectively.

The Port of Klaipėda is currently the only port in the Baltic States demonstrating double-digit growth. Cargo volumes in Riga and Liepāja have declined by 7% and 2% respectively, while Ventspils recorded an 8% increase.