Lithuania, Port, Transport

Increase in cargo handling figures for the reporting period (January – March) could have been similar to the one for March this year – 18.1%, unless the slowdown in handling of oil products due to extremely cold weather in January, and repair works in Mazeikiai oil refinery in March.

During January-March of 2010, the biggest growth was recorded in handling of bulk fertilizers – the increase by 597.1 thousand tons, Ro-Ro cargo – 260.5 thousand tons more, and containerized cargo – increase by 234.1 thousand tons in comparison with corresponding period of 2009.

Sorce for tables: portofklaipeda.lt

In the first month of spring of 2010, an increase was recorded in all cargo sectors, comparing to corresponding period of 2009: general cargo handling increased by 36,9%, dry and bulk cargo – by 19,05%, and liquid cargo – by 3,0%.

In terms of general cargo sector, handled in March, 2010, the biggest growth was recorded in handling figures of Ro-Ro cargo (increase by +102,1 thousand tons, 370,7 thousand tons handled, positive change by +38,0%) and containerized cargo (increase by +99,5 thousand tons, 306,4 thousand tons handled, positive change by +48,1%). An increase was also recorded for handling of timber (increase by +19,5 thousand tons, 55,0 thousand tons handled, positive change by +55,1%), frozen cargo (increase by +10,1 thousand tons, 37,6 thousand tons, positive change by +36,8%). The drop in handling figures was recorded for packed fertilizers (drop by –3,5 thousand tons, 28,3 thousand tons handled, negative change by –11,0%) and iron and steel ware, metal constructions (drop by –1,0 thousand tons, 41,5 thousand tons handled, negative change by –2,3%) in comparison to March, 2009.

Comparison of bulk and dry cargo sectors, handled in 2010 and 2009, showed that the highest figures were recorded for handling of fertilizers (increase by +49,9 thousand tons, 506,4 thousand tons handled, positive change by +10,9%), mineral deposits and construction materials (increase by +35,7 thousand tons, 109,5 thousand tons handled, positive change by +48,4%), agricultural products (increase by +32,5 thousand tons, 152,1 thousand tons handled, positive change by +27,2%), raw sugar (increase by +10,7 thousand tons, 26,7 thousand tons handled, positive change by +66,9%), peat (increase by +6,7 thousand tons, 48,1 thousand tons handled, positive change by +16,2%) and metal scrap (increase by +1,6 thousand tons, 15,3 thousand tons, positive change by +12,0%). The drop was recorded only in turnover of ferroalloys (drop by –25,3 thousand tons, 2,8 thousand tons handled, negative change by –90,0%), comparing to March 2009.

In March, 2010 the results of liquid cargo handling mostly depended on increase in turnover of oil products − 764,1 thousand tons handled, i.e. by 111,9 thousand tons or by 17,2% more than in March last year, whereas a drop was recorded in handling figures for other cargo of this sector, i.e. liquid fertilizers (drop by –69,4 thousand tons, 58,2 thousand tons handled, negative change by –54,4%) and molasses (not handled in March, 2010 at all, 2,9 thousand tons handled in March,  2009).

During the third month of current year 18 354 Ro-Ro units were handled, i.e. by 4 242 units or by 30,1% more than in corresponding period of 2009. Container turnover (in TEU) increased by 2,9% to 22 770 TEU (increase by 641 TEU).

479 ships were serviced in Klaipėda port in March, 2010, i.e. by 20,7% less than in March, 2009.

16 136 thousand passengers visited Klaipėda in March 2010, whereas the figures for corresponding period of last year amounted to 12 767 thousand, positive change by +26,4%.

In March, 2010 cargo handling figures in Būtingė terminal dropped by 32,5%, in comparison to March, 2009, and amounted to 405,3 thousand tons.