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The Rapid Growth of Container Handling
in Klaipeda Port
Mindaugas Milinis
 This year Klaipeda port became a leader among the ports on the Eastern coast
of the Baltic Sea according to the growth of container handling volumes. During the first
half of this year 51019 TEU were handled in Klaipeda State Seaport. It is even by 51
percent more than during three first months of last year when 33271 TEU were handled in
the whole port.
Though the absolute leader remains Saint Petersburg port where 222 thousand TEU were
handled during the first half of this year, but the growth in this port increased by 38
percent. During the same period Tallinn port handled 26,6 thousand TEU and it is by only 3
percent more than during the same period last year, and in Riga port the volumes of this
type of cargo decreased even by 42 percent down to 22,4 thousand TEU.
The forwarders, who worked via Riga port earlier, diverted containerized cargo to Klaipeda
port. It is assumed that one of the reasons of such a solution is that since last year
there started to operate veterinary check point that conforms to the EU requirements in
Klaipeda. In Riga such point will start to operate only this year.
Automobiles are being shipped in containers
Specialists name several reasons when speaking about the
growth of containerized cargo volumes. One of them – is the weakening US dollar and
relative reduction of car prices and goods made in the USA. The businessmen of Russia,
Belarus and Kazakhstan use this situation by importing American automobiles.
Other reason – is favourable geographical location of Klaipeda port. Lithuanian
port-city is one of the southernmost ports on the Eastern coast of the Baltic Sea with the
shortest distance to the biggest trans-ocean ports of Rotterdam, Hamburg, Antwerp and
others from which the containers are being transported at shortest time-period.
After Lithuania joined the EU, customs procedures were simplified; therefore staying in
the port has reduced thus decreasing transportation costs.
Viking accelerates speed
The third reason of container growth – is the use of
combined transportation. Klaipeda port is an innovator in this field. Belarus businessmen
started to use the advantages of this train intensively.
During three months of this year there was transported twice as much cargo of this type
than during the whole last year – 3809 TEU (1897 TEU and 134 auto-trailers in 2004).
Infrastructure is being improved
Klaipeda State Seaport Authority inducing the transportation
of this type of cargo applied rebates for liner vessels carrying only containers. National
Short Sea Shipping Centre is founded in Klaipeda, with its help we hope to induce
intermodal transportations market.
Besides this activity, KSSA allots great funds for the improvement of port infrastructure.
At present, Klaipeda port waters are being dredged intensively. At the most of Klaipeda
port quays – from No 1 to No 80 – Panamax type vessels can be moored with the
draft of 12, 5 – 10,0 m. Up to the end of this year the port water territory suitable
for this type of vessels, will be dredged till the quay No.115.
Totally SE KSSA intends to invest into port infrastructure over 180 million litas this
year.
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