OREANDA-NEWS. June 10, 2008. During January-May 2008, 12,95 million tons of cargo was handled in Klaipeda port. It is by 19,1 percent more than during the same period last year, reported the press-centre of Klaipeda port.

The biggest rates of growth during January-May 2008 were of agricultural products (3,1 times), raw sugar (2,2 times), alloys (+64,9 percent), oil products (+26,3 percent), bulk fertilizers (+25,5 percent), containers (from the point of view of tonnage) (+23,3 percent), timber and forestry products (+15,3 percent)and liquid fertilizers (+14,5 percent) handling comparing to January-May 2007.

Container (TEU) handling increased by 20,9 percent and ro-ro units handling decreased a little (-2,9 percent).

During the first five months the total number of ferry passengers decreased by 3,8 percent and made 79,2 thousand.

In Butinge terminal 3,47 million tons of crude oil was handled during January - May 2008 (total stevedoring volume increased by almost 2 times). The growth was predetermined by the growth of demand of oil products and increased production volumes of AB „Mazeikiu nafta“.
 
During May 2008, 2,5 million tons of cargo was handled in Klaipeda port, i.e. stevedoring volumes increased by 8,4 percent comparing to May 2007.

During May 2008 there significantly increased stevedoring volumes of bulk and dry bulk cargo, by +19,6 percent and +16,2 percent respectively. Stevedoring volumes of general cargo have slightly decreased -8,4 percent.

The growth of liquid cargo was predetermined by great increase of stevedoring volumes of natural and mineral fertilizers (during May 2008 161,18 thousand tons was handled, during May  2007 – 86,57 thousand tons, difference +86,2 percent) and permanently growing oil products handling (during May 2008 0,86 million tons was handled, during May 2007 – 0,74 million tons, difference +16,0 percent).

Comparing the types of bulk cargo handled in the port during May 2008 and 2007 we can observe the growth of agricultural products (2,4 times), alloys (2,2 times), minerals (+14,6 percent) and bulk fertilizers (+9,1 percent) handling. The biggest bulk cargo flows – fertilizers – stevedoring volume was almost 0,4 million tons (according to the handling volume it is the second result after oil products handling). There slightly decreased stevedoring volumes of peat and scrap metal.

Cold cargo stevedoring volume increased by 31,3 percent and containers ( from the point of view of tonnage) (+24,3 percent). There decreased the stevedoring volumes of  ro-ro units (from the point of view of tonnage) (-19,2 percent), timber (-24,6 percent), packed fertilizers (-26,1 percent) and iron and steel products (-33,8 percent) .

During May this year handling of containers (TEU) increased by 10,5 percent comparing to May 2007. Ro-ro units handling decreased by 14,6 percent.

During the third spring month 2008 21,6 thousand passengers visited Klaipeda port including 2,5 thousand cruise passengers.