In the nine months significant growth in freight transport by road

Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) data show that in the nine months of 2021 compared to the nine months of 2020, freight carried in transport by land and pipeline has increased by 7.8 %, but at ports – decreased by 9.1 %.

78 million tonnes of freights were carried by land and pipeline transport, a rise of 5.6 million tonnes or 7.8 % compared to a year ago.

In the nine months of 2020 rail transport freights comprised 15.2 million tons, which is 13.2 % less than in the nine months of 2020. National freights by rail comprised 1.5 million tonnes – 4.1 % more. International freights by rail reduced by 14.8 %, of which export freight transport – by 8.4 %, import freight transport – by 25.5 %, but goods in transit – increased by 37.8 %. Freights carried to and from Latvian ports comprised 56.7 % of international freights.

Freights by road comprised 62.3 million tons, which is 16 % more than in the nine months of the previous year. National freights comprised 49 million tonnes, 15.1 % more. International freights accounted for 13.3 million tonnes – 19.8 % more. Of which 3.6 million tons accounted for export freight – 13.1 % more, but import freight – 2.7 million tons or 31.3 % more. Cross-trade and cabotage freights comprised 7 million tonnes, which is 19.3 % more. 79.4 % of total road freights were transportation for hire or reward. They rose by 22 %.

0.5 million tonnes of oil products were transported via main pipeline, which is 55.9 % less.

Freight transport by road and pipeline transport during the nine months

(million tonnes)

	I–IX, 2018	I–IX, 2019	I–IX, 2020	I–IX, 2021	Changes, % I–IX, 2021 / I–IX, 2020
Total	95.2	88.8	72.4	78.0	7.8
rail transport	36.1	31.6	17.5	15.2	-13.2
road transport	56.9	55.1	53.7	62.3	16.0
pipeline transport	2.2	2.1	1.2	0.5	-55.9

See OSP database:TRK030C, TRK120C, TRK170C

In the 1st and 3rd quarter of 2021 freight traffic by land and pipeline transport rose by 10.5 % and 14.7 %, respectively, but in the 2nd quarter – reduced by 2 %.

Freight transport by road and pipeline transport in quarters of 2021

(million tonnes)

	I–III, 2020	I–III, 2021	Changes, % I–III, 2021 / I–III, 2020	IV–VI, 2020	IV–VI, 2021	Changes, % IV–VI, 2021 / IV–VI, 2020	VII–IX, 2020	VII–IX, 2021	Changes, % VII–IX, 2021 / VII–IX, 2020
Total	21.0	23.2	10.5	25.6	25.1	-2.0	25.8	29.7	14.7
rail transport	6.0	6.0	0.1	5.6	4.2	-24.7	5.9	5.0	-15.9
road transport	14.4	16.7	16.6	19.7	20.9	6.1	19.6	24.7	25.5
pipeline transport	0.6	0.5	-4.3	0.3	0.0	-99.8	0.3	0.0	-99.6

See OSP database:TRK030C, TRK120C, TRK170C

Drop in freight turnover is continuing

Freights loaded and unloaded at ports comprised 30.2 million tonnes, which is 9.1 % less than in the nine months of 2020. Freight turnover at Riga port was 15.3 million tonnes, 13.5 % less, at Ventspils port – 8.3 million tonnes or 13.8 % less, at Liepāja port – 5 million tonnes or 8 % more, but at minor ports – 1.6 million tonnes or 23.7 % more.

Freights loaded at ports comprised 22.9 million tonnes, which is 11.4 % less than in the nine months of 2020. What's significant, a drop was observed in coal loaded – by 2.7 million tonnes or 90.6 %. Oil products shipped reduced by 1.3 million tonnes or 22.8 %. The volume of freights in containers fell by 5.5 %, of mineral fertilisers – by 7.8 %. In turn, volume of timber loaded increased by 15.5 %, of wood chips – by 11.4 %, of roll on/roll off – by 9.2 %, of grain and grain products – by 7.2 %.

7.3 million tonnes of freights were unloaded at ports, their volume fell by 1.2 %. Oil products unloaded reduced by 0.5 million tonnes or 19.1 %, volume of unloaded freights in containers – by 13.6 %. The volume of roll on/roll off rose by 19.4 %, of various metals and articles thereof – by 6.4 %, but of building materials unloaded – by 7.5 %.

In the 1st quarter drop in freight turnover at ports comprised 8.2 %, in the 2nd quarter – 11.2 %, but in the 3rd quarter – 8 %.

Freights loaded and unloaded at Latvian ports in quarters of 2021

(million tonnes)

	I–III, 2020	I–III, 2021	Changes, % I–III, 2021 / I–III, 2020	IV–VI, 2020	IV–VI, 2021	Changes, % IV–VI, 2021 / IV–VI, 2020	VII–IX, 2020	VII–IX, 2021	Changes, % VII–IX, 2021 / VII–IX, 2020
Total	12.2	11.1	-8.2	10.5	9.3	-11.2	10.6	9.8	-8.0
Riga port	6.4	5.4	-15.3	5.5	4.8	-13.5	5.8	5.1	-11.4
Ventspils port	3.7	3.6	-3.7	3.1	2.2	-26.9	2.8	2.5	-12.9
Liepāja port	1.6	1.5	-1.3	1.5	1.8	20.2	1.6	1.7	5.8
Minor ports	0.5	0.6	27.7	0.4	0.5	20.6	0.4	0.5	22.1

See OSP database: TRK070c

Airport “Rīga” loaded and unloaded 18.3 thousand tonnes of cargo and post or 14.2 % 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