The sea port has registered new records in ferry traffic. Certain pre-pandemic levels have been reached and even exceeded, as reported by the freeport’s public relations manager Inga Ieviņa.
For many years the sea port of Ventspils, thanks to the strategic decision by ferry operator Stena Line, has been the main logistical route connecting Baltic States with Scandinavia. The ferry courses between Ventspils and Norwick Harbour in Nynashamn 24 times a week (12 times in each direction), ensuring the shortest sea voyage between the two regions.
The volume of Ro-Ro freight carried by ferries in 2022 was 2.35 million tonnes, which is 4% more when compared with the year prior. Last year Ro-Ro freight composed 16% of the total volume of freight handled by the sea port of Ventspils.
Development of ferry traffic at Ventspils sea port commenced at the end of the last century as one of the directions to diversify freight, as well as to stimulate industrial development, because it also assists with exports of manufactured products. The first ferry left Ventspils for Westervik in Sweden in the year 2000.
Since then the volume of freight carried by ferries has increased by almost two hundred times.
To continue development of Ro-Pax (simultaneous carrying of Ro-Ro freight and passengers) segment at the Freeport of Ventspils, both the port’s authority, ferry operator Stena Line and the ferry service company Noord Natie Ventspils Terminals continue investing into infrastructure necessary for ferry traffic. Last year new shipping security equipment was installed. Docks were fitted with a hydraulic ramp. The sea port also performed sea bed reinforcement work, the freeport’s authority explained.
This year it is planned to establish a point for collection of waste water from ships, as well as construct additional storm protection structures, reconstruct the amortisation system, modernise border checkpoints, ticket booths, reinforce the seabed at the dock, as well as provide electric car recharging infrastructure at the parking lot.
It is also reported that in 2022 terminals that operate from the Freeport of Ventspils handled a total of 14.8 million tonnes, which is an increase of 33%. Petrol products accounted for most of this freight. Stone coal was the second largest freight group and Ro-Ro freight was the third largest group carried by ferries. The volume of metal freight has also quadrupled.
Tallink has ho plans to restore the ferry route Riga-Stockholm-Riga in the coming years.
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