In the first half year decline in freight transported by all modes of transport, except of freights by road

Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) data show that in H1 2024, compared to H1 2023, freight transport by rail and by sea transport has reduced, by road – increased, but transportation via oil products pipeline didn’t take place.

40.9 million tonnes of freights were carried by land transport, a decrease of 2 % compared to a year ago.

Refer to the OSP database: TRK030c, TRK120c

In H1 2023 rail transport freights comprised 5.9 million tonnes, which is 23.3 % less than in H1 2023. National freights by rail comprised 0.8 million tonnes – 5 % more. In international traffic the volume of freight transported by rail comprised 5.1 million tonnes, a drop of 26.4 %. Of which export freight transport – 1 million tonnes, 49.8 % less, import freight transport – 3.7 million tonnes, drop of 18.9 %, but goods in transit – 0.4 million tonnes, 2.7 % more. In H1 2024 transportation of freights via Latvian ports comprised 4 million tonnes, which is 27.7 % less than in H1 2023.

Freights by road comprised 35 million tonnes, which is 2.8 % more than in the corresponding period of the previous year. Transportation of national freights comprised 26.9 million tonnes, 1.8 % more than a year ago. Transportation of international freights accounted for 8.1 million tonnes – 6.6 % more. Of which export freight transport comprised 2.1 million tonnes, 16.5 % less. Transportation of import freight fell by 3.8 % and comprised 1.6 million tonnes of freight. Cross-trade and cabotage freights comprised 4.4 million tonnes, 29.1 % more than in the previous year. 80.8 % of total road freights were transportation for hire or reward. They rose by 3.9 %.

Freight transport by land transport in H1

(million tonnes)

Refer to the OSP database: TRK030c, TRK120c

In H1 2024 the cargo loaded and unloaded at ports comprised 17.9 million tonnes, which is 11.4 % less than in H1 2023. Freight turnover at Riga port was 8.9 million tonnes, 7.8 % less, at Ventspils port – 3.9 million tonnes or 31.7 % less, at Liepāja port – 3.7 million tonnes or 2.6 % more, but at minor ports – 1.4 million tonnes or 13.6 % more.

Freights loaded at ports comprised 13.5 million tonnes, which is 2.3 % more than in the 1st half of 2023. Volume of freights in containers increased by 18.9 %, volume of grain and grain products – by 13.6 %, volume of timber – by 23.6 %, but of wood chips – by 46.3 %. In turn, volume of coals loaded reduced by 60.4 %, of roll on/roll off by 13.9 %, of oil products by 46.7 %.

4.4 million tonnes of freights were unloaded at ports, their volume fell by 37.3 %. Volume of unloaded freights in containers reduced by 23.6 %, of roll on/roll off by 14.3 %, of oil products by 27.2 %, of ore by 47.7 %, of coals by 88.6 %.

Riga International Airport loaded and unloaded 8.4 thousand tonnes of freights or 10.1 % less than in H1 2023.

Media requests:
Communication Section
E-mail: media@csp.gov.lv
Phone: +371 27880666

More information on the data:
Vida Lukaševiča
Transport and Tourism Statistics Section
E-mail: Vida.Lukasevica@csp.gov.lv
Phone: +371 67366681