Freeport of Riga Posts Mixed Results

zoom Latvias Freeport of Riga increased its cargo turnover by 2.3% in the first half of 2015 compared to the same period a year earlier, even though the port recorded dips in container and general cargo volumes. The port handled 20.64 million tons of various cargo during the first six months of 2015, recording an average monthly volume of 3.44 million tons. 11.65 million tons of dry bulk cargo were handled at the Freeport of Riga in 1H2015, which is by 4.2% more than in the first half of 2014. The general cargo turnover in recent months managed to stay at the previous years level, but in general demonstrated a reduction year-on-year, which might be attributed to the ferry trip reduction and global market changes. The general cargo turnover in the first half of the current year was by 10.5% lower than during the relevant reporting period of 2014. Container volume decreased by 1.8%, with the port transshipping 1.93 million tons of containerized cargo. The containerized cargo segment demonstrates the decrease in the roll on/roll off, various metals, timber, fish and fish products, food and unspecified general cargo volumes. The Freeport terminals handled 5.8 million tons of liquid cargoes in 1H2015, which is 6.8% more than in the first six months of 2014.