In the 1st quarter an increase in freight transport by road, at ports – there still is a drop

Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) data show that in the 1^st quarter of 2021, compared to the 1^st quarter of 2020, freight carried in transport by land and pipeline has increased by 12.2 %, but at ports – reduced by 8.2 %.

23.4 million tonnes of freights were carried by land and pipeline transport, a rise of 2.5 million tonnes or 12.2 % compared to a year ago. Increase was observed for the first time since the 2^nd quarter of 2018.

Rail transport freights comprised 6 million tonnes, which is the same as in the 1^st quarter of 2020. National freights by rail comprised 0.4 million tonnes – 10.4 % more. In international traffic the volume of freight carried by rail comprised 5.6 million tonnes, reduction of 0.6 %. Of which export freight transport – 0.5 million tonnes, 1 % more, import freight transport – 4 million tonnes, drop of 11.4 %, but goods in transit – 1.1 million tonnes, 71.7 % more. In the 1^st quarter of 2021 transport freights via Latvian ports comprised 3.6 million tonnes, which is 12.5 % less than in the same period of 2020.

Freights by road comprised 16.9 million tonnes, which is 17.9 % more than in 2020. National freights comprised 12.5 million tonnes, 25 % more. International freights accounted for 4.4 million tonnes – 1.3 % more. Of which export freight transport comprised 1.2 million tonnes – 22.5 % more. Import freight transport fell by 4.3 % and comprised 0.8 million tonnes of freight. Cross-trade and cabotage freights comprised 2.4 million tonnes, which is 4.9 % less than in the previous year. 78.9 % of total road freights were transportation for hire or reward. They rose by 16 %.

0.5 million tonnes of oil products were transported via main pipeline, which is 4.3 % less.

Freight transport by road and pipeline transport in quarters of 2020 and 2021

(million tonnes)

See OSP database:TRK030C, TRK120C, TRK170C

Drop in freight turnover at ports is reducing

Since the 2^nd quarter of 2019, as compared to the same period of the previous year, freight turnover at ports is falling. In the 1^st quarter of 2021 the cargo loaded and unloaded at ports comprised 11.2 million tonnes, which is 8.2 % less than in the 1^st quarter of 2020. Freight turnover at Riga port was 5.4 million tonnes, 15.3 % less, at Ventspils port – 3.6 million tonnes or 3.7 % less, at Liepāja port – 1.6 million tonnes or 1.3 % less, but at minor ports – 0.6 million tonnes or 27.7 % more.

Freights loaded at ports comprised 9 million tonnes, which is 6.4 % less than in the 1^st quarter of 2020. The largest drop was observed in coal loaded – by 1.2 million tonnes or 86.8 %. Oil products shipped rose by 7.3 %, volume of timber loaded – by 10.9 %, of freights in containers – by 1.2 , of grain and grain products – by 22.2 %. But the volume of roll on/roll off fell by 3.6 %, of mineral fertilisers – by 1.9 %, of wood chips – by 9.7 %.

2.2 million tonnes of freights were unloaded at ports, their volume fell by 15.2 %. Oil products unloaded reduced by 37.8 %, volume of building materials unloaded – by 2.7 %, volume of various metals and articles thereof – by 29.6 %, but volume of unloaded freights in containers – by 23.6 %. But the volume of roll on/roll off rose by 0.4 %, of iron ore – by 45.3 %, of wood chips – by 6.7 %.

Airport “Rīga” loaded and unloaded 5.7 thousand tonnes of freights or 1 % more.

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