Cargo turnover at the port of Klaipeda has increased by one fifth in the first half of 2008

 

In January through June 2008 Klaipėda port handled 15,82 million tons of cargo, which is by  +20,5 % higher in comparison to the corresponding period of 2007.  

In January-June 2008 increase in handling of all sorts of cargoes (general, dry and bulk, liquid) was recorded.

Growth of liquid cargo turnover resulted from increase in oil products handling (in January – June 2008 the amount of oil handled was 5,17 million tons while in January-June 2007 – 3,88 million tons, difference +33,3 %). The volume of liquid fertilizers handling remained at the same level as last year.

In terms of bulk cargo nomenclature, increase in all types of cargo (agricultural products, bulk fertilizers, ferroalloys, minerals) was recorded. The highest growth rate was recorded in the handling of agricultural products (0,62 million tons –  in the first half of 2008 while in  the first half of 2007  – 0,29 million tons). Such increase resulted from rising prices for grain in the world market.  Turnover of fertilizers that accounts for the major share of bulk cargo was more than 3,16 million tons (by the amount of handled cargo it is the second figure after oil products handling). In June of 2008 Klaipeda Port handled the largest amount of bulk fertilizers per month (0,66 million tons).

Container handling increased by +20,8 % (32,9 thousand TEU containers handled in June of this year) while ro-ro unit handling decreased by –4,4 %.. The slight decrease in Ro-ro unit handling was generated by the slowdown of the world trade between West and East as well as increasing inflation in the Baltic countries.

In the first six months of this year the total number of passengers visiting the port by ferry increased by 2,5 % and amounted to 120 thousand. 12,2 thousand foreign tourists visited Klaipeda port by cruise ships.

In the first half of 2008 Būtingės Oil Terminal handled 4,38 million tons of raw oil (1,9 times increase in total  handling volumes). The growth was influenced by increased number of tanker ships serviced in Būtingė Oil Terminal (43 ships serviced in January-June of 2008, while 23 ships serviced in the same period of 2007).

 

In June 2008 cargo turnover increased by nearly a third (2,86 million tons of cargo handled), in comparison to June 2007.

 

 

  

 

E. Kateiva

Marketing Department