
Cargo turnover in Latvian ports is unlikely to return to its previous levels in the coming years, Elīna Štrodaha, a board member of the Latvian Stevedoring Companies Association (LSA), told LETA.
She emphasized that ports must seek new business models, including developing manufacturing, renewable energy projects, and technology. “Port authorities and companies have identified a number of development projects, and future growth will depend on how successfully they can be implemented,” she added.
Štrodaha explained that the external challenges facing Latvian ports stem from the geopolitical situation and sanctions, which have caused transit cargo turnover to decline by around 50% over the past decade. This has significantly reduced port revenues and made it harder to maintain infrastructure, which is also needed for exports, imports, and defense.
Internal challenges, she said, include the lack of a port development strategy, political divisions on issues such as port reform, and insufficient cross-sector cooperation, which has resulted in an uncoordinated, port-unfriendly tax policy.
However, she stressed that
ports remain critically important, as 88% of Latvia’s exports and 40% of imports pass through them,
and more than 10,000 people are employed there. “Ports are also a security element – globally, more than 90% of military equipment is transported by sea, which means that functioning ports and railways are essential not only for Latvia’s defense but also for meeting NATO requirements,” the LSA board member noted.
She reported that since 2024, three meetings of the Latvian Ports, Transit and Logistics Council (LOTLP) have taken place, whereas none had been held for five years. According to the Port Law, LOTLP meetings should be held quarterly.
Amendments to the Port Law have also been submitted to the Saeima this year, aimed at completing the port reform initiated six years ago. LSA supports the progress of the draft law but objects to its wording and will continue to present its position in parliament. “We are also seeing greater clarity in cooperation with Central Asia, which is an important partner for Latvia and the European Union (EU). Meanwhile, the Ministry of Economics, together with the sector, has developed a Roadmap for the Development of Major Ports for 2025–2027, which serves as an action plan for implementing port development projects,” Štrodaha said.
She emphasized that
it is necessary to define the long-term direction of Latvian port development
and their role in the economy. It is also important to approve the Roadmap for the Development of Major Ports so its implementation can begin.
According to the association, LOTLP meetings and the planned operational working group could become a platform for faster information exchange and problem-solving.
As reported, Latvian ports handled 22.635 million tons of cargo in the first eight months of this year, a 2.4% decrease compared to the same period in 2024. In 2024, Latvian ports handled a total of 36.012 million tons of cargo, down 6.8% from 2023. In the first eight months of last year alone, Latvian ports handled 23.202 million tons.
The Latvian Stevedoring Companies Association was established in 1997.
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