Noord Natie Ventspils Terminals at Ventspils Freeport is one of the port terminals that managed to retain stable freight turnover in 2020 when compared to previous years, as reported by Ventspils Freeport authority representative Inga Ieviņa.
Generally, as reported by Ventspils Freeport authority, in 2020 Ventspils Freeport’s terminals had processed 12.9 million tonnes of freights, which is 37% less than a year prior.
The main reason for the decline in freights was the fact that in 2020 there was almost a complete halt of stone coal exports – the volume of coals had decreased 90% when compared to 2019, because Russia, as the country of origin had diverted coal freights to its own ports almost completely, the port authority explains.
The economic crisis caused by Covid-19 and reduced oil prices caused a reduction for demand for energy resources like oil products, which is one of the biggest freight segments at Ventspils port. This freight volume at the port has declined 18%.
Volumes of other freights, on the other hand, remain stable. In segments like wood materials and different agricultural products there is even an increase observed, as reported by Ventspils Freeport. The biggest freight segment for Noord Natie Ventspils Terminals consists of Ro-Ro (ferry-carried) freights. In spite of the shocks caused by Covid-19, the turnover of Ro-Ro freights between Ventspils and Nynäshamn ports remained on the level of 2019, reaching 2.133 million tonnes. The number of carried freight units has increased by 2 182 units, notes VBP.
The freeport also notes that the biggest increase of Ro-Ro freights can be expected in 2021, because Stena Line ferry operator has announced plans to use two new ferries for Ventspils route, thereby increasing the output by approximately 30%. It was possible thanks to the agreement reached by Ventspils Freeport authority, Noord Natie Ventspils Terminals, and Stena Line in 2020 regarding additional objectives. For Stena Line to implement this project, Ventspils Freeport authority will construct a polluted coastal water processing station and additional port fenders.
In 2020 Noord Natie Ventspils Terminals also handled wood materials, wood pellets, bran pellets, wood chips, crushed stone, rapeseed pellets, cereals, dolomite, corn, container cargoes, etc.
Ventspils Freeport CEO Andris Purmalis thanked Noord Natie Ventspils Terminals CEO Jānis Pauls for successful operations and good cooperation between the freeport and the terminal in 2020.