Freight transport by land and sea declined in first half of 2020

46.9 million tons of freights were carried by land and pipeline transport, a decrease of 10.3 million tons or 18.1 % compared to a year ago.

In the first half of 2020rail transport freights comprised 11.6 million tons, which is 47.2 % less than in the first  half of 2019. National freights by rail comprised 0.6 million tonnes – 5.6 % more. International freights by rail reduced by 48.7 %, of which export freight transport – by 7 %, import freight transport – by 52.8 %, but goods in transit – by 38.6 %. Freights carried at Latvian ports comprised 70 % of international freights.

fFreights by road comprised 34.4 million tons, which is 1.9 % more than in the first half of 2019. National freights comprised 26.7 million tonnes, 8.8 % more. International freights accounted for 7.7 million tons – 16.5 % less. Of which export freight transport comprised 1.9 million tons – 19.6 % less. Import freight transport fell by 8.1 % and comprised 1.4 million tons of freight. Cross-trade and cabotage freights comprised 4.4 million tons, which is 17.5 % less than in the corresponding period of the previous year. 75 % of total road freights were transportation for hire or reward. They fell by 4.5 %.

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

Freight transport by road and pipeline transport in the first half
(million tonnes)

In the first quarter of 2020 freight traffic by land and pipeline transport reduced by 23.4 %, but in the second quarter – by 13.7 %.

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

In the first half year significant drop in freight turnover at all ports

In the first half of 2020 freight turnover at Latvian ports was the lowest over the last five years. In the first half of 2020 freights loaded and unloaded at ports comprised 22.6 million tons, which is 30.1 % less than in the first half of 2019. Freight turnover at Riga port was 11.8 million tonnes, 26.7 % less, at Ventspils port – 6.8 million tonnes or 41.1 % less, at Liepāja port – 3.1 million tonne or 15.6 % less, but at minor ports – 0.9 million tonnes or 11.8 % less.

Freights loaded and unloaded at Latvian ports in the first half year
(million tonnes)

In the first half of 2020 freights loaded at ports comprised 17.7 million tons, which is 35.9 % less than in the first half of 2019. Volume of main freights shipped reduced. Most significant was drop of volume of coal loaded onto ships by 7.7 million tonnes or 78.3 %. Oil products shipped reduced by 1.3 million tonnes or 24 %. Volume of timber loaded reduced by 20.5 %, of freights in containers – by 7 %, of roll on/roll off – by 8.4 %, of mineral fertilizers – by 11.6 %, of grain and grain products – by 6 %. But volume of wood chips increased by 3.1 %.

4.9 million freights were unloaded at ports, their volume rose by 4.3 %. Oil products unloaded increased significantly – by 0.5 million tonnes or 38.2 %. Volume of iron ore unloaded rose by 16.9 %. But the volume of unloaded freights in containers and roll on/ roll off fell by 8 % and 14 %, respectively. Volume of various metals and articles thereof fell by 7.6 %.

In the first quarter of 2020 freight turnover at ports reduced by 29.3 %, but in the second quarter – by 31 %.

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

Airport “Rīga” loaded and unloaded 9.9 thousand tonnes of freights or 25.7 % less.