Cargo turnover at the port of Klaipeda in January – August 2008

              Growth in turnover of liquid cargoes was largely influenced by increased handling of oil products (August 2008 turnover 0.72 million tons, August 2007 – 0.61 million tons, change +18.8 percent). Handling of liquid fertilisers in August 2008 slumped by -12,6 proc. (August 2008 turnover 151.30 thousand tons, August 2007 – 173.07 thousand tons) in relation to August 2007.

               In terms of nomenclature of bulk cargoes handled in August of 2008 and 2007, increased turnover was recorded for scrap metal (4,4 times, 62.61 thousand tons turnover), ferroalloys (+9.7 percent, 41.11 thousand tons turnover) and raw sugar (+2.8 percent, 26.94 thousand tons turnover). Turnover of fertilisers, accounting for the biggest part of bulk cargo flow, was 0.33 million tons (this is the second highest result after oil products handling in terms of cargo handling amount). August of 2008 saw decline in handling of bulk fertilisers (-41.4 percent, 328.57 thousand tons turnover), primary and processed minerals (-18.0 percent, 132.40 thousand tons turnover), agricultural products (-15.0 percent, 95.44 thousand tons turnover) and other bulk cargoes. Decline in handling of bulk fertilisers was determined by rainy weather conditions delaying handling operations, while handling of minerals decreased due to postponement of ship call schedules from August to September.   

               In terms of nomenclature of general cargoes, there stands out the growth of turnover in refrigerated goods (+69.5 percent, 31.32 thousand tons turnover), bagged fertilisers (+27.7 percent, 37.67 thousand tons turnover) and container units (in terms of tonnage) (+23.2 percent, 316.71 thousand tons turnover). Decline was recorded in respect of handling of timber (-51.0 percent, 44.72 thousand tons turnover), iron and steel goods (-11.6 percent, 31.75 thousand tons turnover), ro-ro cargoes (in terms of tonnage) (-4.5 percent, 322.49 thousand tons turnover). Decline in handling of timber was determined by reduced supply and demand of this product in market, by rainy weather conditions, which complicated delivery of timber from forests, and recessed production in Scandinavian countries during summer leaves period.  Handling of ro-ro cargoes was increasing in August comparing to July, notwithstanding the fact that the turnover was lower than in the previous year, and it is expected that the handling of wheeled vehicles will at least be comparable to the results obtained in 2007.