Cargo handling volumes grow in record speed

During January-February 2008 4,97 million tons of cargo was handled in Klaipėda port. It is by 21,5 percent more than during the same period 2007.

The biggest volume of growth during January – February this year was reached in handling agricultural products (2,9 times), timber and forestry products (1,8 times), oil products (+22,6 percent) and bulk fertilizers (+20,6 percent) in comparison with the same period 2007.

Cargo handling volumes during February 2008 increased even by one third (2,55 million tons was handled) comparing to February 2007.

During January-February 2008 there grew the handling volumes of all types of cargo (general, bulk and dry bulk cargo).

The growth of liquid cargo volume was predetermined by the growth of oil products handling (during January-February 2008 1,64 million tons was handled, during January-February  2007 – 1,34 million tons, difference +22,6 percent). The volumes of liquid fertilizers handling remained in the level of last year.

Analysing the types of bulk cargo, there is observed the increase of all cargo flows (agricultural products, bulk fertilizers, alloys, peat, minerals). The biggest growth was fixed in the handling volumes of agricultural products (during the first two months of 2008 193 thousand tons was handled and 2007 – 67 thousand tons). Such growth was predetermined by the growth of the price of grain in the world market. The biggest bulk cargo flow – fertilizers – was handled 0,9 million tons (according to the quantity of handled cargo it is the second result after oil products handling).

Container handling increased by 32,8 percent and o ro-ro units by 3 percent. Slight growth of ro-ro units was predetermined by the growth of automobiles handling in Klaipėda port. 

During the first two months of this year the total number of passengers served in the port increased by 7,8 percent and made 26 thousand. 

1,02 million tons of crude oil was handled in Butinge terminal during January-February 2008 (total volume increased 1,7 times). The growth was predetermined by the bigger number of tankers served in Butinge terminal (during January-February 2008 10 tankers were served and during January-February 2007 – 6 tankers).

Source: Transportweekly