Analytics, Cargo, Latvia, Port, Railways, Statistics, Transport

71.3 mln tons of freights were carried by land and pipeline transport, a decrease of 17.5 mln tons or 19.7% compared to a year ago.

In the nine months of 2020 rail transport freights comprised 17.4 mln tons, which is 44.9% less than in the nine months of 2019. National freights by rail comprised 1.4 mln tonnes – 13.8% more. In international traffic the volume of freight carried by rail comprised 16 mln tons, reduction of 47.4%. Of which export freight transport – 1.6 mln tons, 6.7% less, import freight transport – 12.1 mln tons, drop of 52.1%, but goods in transit – 2.3 mln tons, 32.6% less. In the nine months of 2020 transport freights via Latvian ports comprised 12.2 mln tons, which is 55% less than in the nine months of 2019.

Freights by road comprised 52.7 mln tons, which is 4.3% less than in the nine months of the previous year. National freights comprised 41.6 mln tonnes, 0.4% more. International freights accounted for 11.1 mln tons – 18.6% less. Of which export freight transport comprised 3.2 mln tons – 5.6% less. Import freight transport fell by 13.9% and comprised 2 mln tons of freight. Cross-trade and cabotage freights comprised 5.9 mln tons, which is 25.7% less than in the corresponding period of the previous year. 75.8 % of total road freights were transportation for hire or reward. They fell by 8.3%.

1.2 mln tonnes of oil products were transported via main pipeline, which is 44% less.

Freight transport by road and pipeline transport during the nine months
(million tonnes)

Freight transport by road and pipeline transport in quarters of 2020 reduced similarly: in the 1st quarter – by 23.4%, in the 2nd quarter – by 14.7%, but in the 3rd quarter – by 21.3%.

Freight transport by road and pipeline transport in quarters of 2020
(million tonnes)

In the nine months drop registered in freight turnover at all ports

In the nine months of 2020 freight turnover at Latvian ports was the lowest over the last five years. Freights loaded and unloaded at ports comprised 33.2 mln tons, which is 29.7% less than in the nine months of 2019. Freight turnover at Riga port was 17.6 mln tonnes, 26.4% less, at Ventspils port – 9.6 mln tonnes or 41.9% less, at Liepāja port – 4.7 mln tonne or 11.8% less, but at minor ports – 1.3 mln tonnes or 10.2% less.

Freights loaded at ports comprised 25.8 mln tons, which is 36% less than in the nine months of 2019. Volume of main freights shipped reduced. Most significant was drop of volume of coal loaded onto ships by 10.6 mln tonnes or 77.7%. Oil products shipped reduced by 2.5 mln tonnes or 29.9%. Volume of timber loaded reduced by 16.4%, of freights in containers – by 0.2%, of roll on/roll off – by 8.1%, of mineral fertilisers – by 18.4%, of wood chips – by 9.7%. But volume of grain and grain products increased by 3.2%.

7.4 mln freights were unloaded at ports, their volume rose by 6.3%. Oil products unloaded increased by 0.4 mln tonnes or 22.9%. Volume of iron ore unloaded rose by 17.9%. But the volume of unloaded freights in containers and roll on/ roll off fell by 11.5% and 12.2%, respectively. Volume of various metals and articles thereof rose by 4.4% but volume of wood chips – increased 3.5 times.

Reduction in freight turnover at ports in quarters remained stable: in the 1st quarter drop in freight turnover at ports comprised 29.3%, in the 2nd quarter – 31%, but in the 3rd quarter – 29%.

Freights loaded and unloaded at Latvian ports in quarters of 2020
(million tonnes)

	I–III, 2019	I–III, 2020	Changes, % I–III, 2020 /   I–III, 2019	IV–VI, 2019	IV–VI, 2020	Changes, % IV–VI, 2020 / IV–VI, 2019	VII–IX, 2019	VII–IX, 2020	Changes, % VII–IX, 2020 / VII–IXI, 2019
Total	17.17	12.14	-29.3	15.20	10.48	-31.0	14.88	10.56	-29.0
Riga port	8.35	6.36	-23.9	7.81	5.48	-29.7	7.76	5.75	-25.8
Ventspils port	6.38	3.72	-41.7	5.16	3.08	-40.3	5.06	2.84	-43.9
Liepāja port	1.89	1.58	-16.3	1.76	1.50	-14.9	1.66	1.60	-3.5
Minor ports	0.55	0.48	-12.9	0.47	0.42	-10.5	0.40	0.37	-6.1

Riga International Airport loaded and unloaded 16 thousand tonnes of freights or 19.3% less.