Ventspils Port Sees Surge in Cargo Volume
The Port of Ventspils is experiencing a significant upswing in cargo traffic, driven primarily by a notable increase in liquid bulk shipments. The port is strategically adapting to geopolitical shifts and focusing on renewable energy projects.
Liquid Bulk Drives Growth
In the first half of 2025, the terminals within the Ventspils Freeport handled 4.48 million tons of cargo, marking a 14.5% increase compared to the same period last year. The rise was fueled by growth across all major cargo segments.
Liquid bulk cargo accounted for half of the total volume, reaching 2.4 million tons. This category also saw the most substantial year-on-year growth.
Ro-Ro cargo followed, with 808 thousand tons handled in six months, a 20.6% increase. Coal from Kazakhstan also saw increased activity, reaching 656 thousand tons, 22.7% more than the previous year.
Strategic Shift to Renewable Energy
Acting CEO of the Ventspils Freeport, Igors Udodovs, stated:
“Historically, Ventspils Port was developed as a hub for large volumes of fossil energy resources – with powerful terminals for transshipping oil products and coal. Any geopolitical fluctuations in this type of transit significantly impact Ventspils in particular. We are pleased that some terminals have successfully restructured their operational models, shifting from the traditional East–West transit model to one based on receiving cargo by sea, storing, processing, and then re-exporting it by sea. At the same time, we are moving forward with the transition of Ventspils Port from a fossil fuel transit hub to an energy port concept, with a strong emphasis on renewable energy in its broadest sense. One of the current focal points is the development of an oversized cargo logistics corridor from Ventspils, which will play a vital role in the supply chain for offshore wind park development in the Baltic States.”
—Igors Udodovs, Acting CEO of the Ventspils Freeport
Other Cargo and Economic Impact
Terminals at Ventspils Port also managed various wood products (such as pellets, wood chips, and timber) and agricultural goods (including biodiesel, palm and sunflower oils, grain, malt, rapeseed and bran pellets, and peas), along with liquid chemicals and peat. However, the transshipment of wood and agricultural products saw a decline compared to the previous year.
Notably, manganese ore handling ceased entirely due to imposed sanctions. According to a recent report, sanctions have caused an average decline of 62% in trade with sanctioned countries for those imposing the restrictions (VoxEU 2023).
Ventspils’ Role in Latvia
Ventspils Freeport is Latvia’s second-largest port by cargo volume and a significant industrial center. In 2024, Ventspils ranked third among Latvia’s large cities in terms of total industrial output but led in both production and export volumes per capita.
Despite fluctuations in certain sectors, Ventspils Port is actively adapting its operations and infrastructure to support new energy initiatives and maintain its vital role in the region’s economy.