OREANDA-NEWS. January 16, 2009. LDz Cargo Ltd., subsidiary of State Joint Stock Company Latvijas dzelzcels (LDz), has reached a record of freight transportation volume in year 2008, ie. there were transported more than 56 million tons of freight, reported the press-centre of LDz Cargo Ltd.

It is the highest freight transportation volume since the foundation of State Joint Stock Company Latvijas dzelzcels.

LDz Cargo Ltd. has concluded year 2008 with a record high volume of freight carried by rail. Last year the company has transported 56.061 million tons of freight, which is 7.5% more than in 2007, when there were transported 52.164 million tons of freight. The main products carried by rail were oil, oil products and coal.

The outstanding results were reached by improving cooperation with the main partners – freight owners, logistics companies and ports, as well as the advantageous situation in freight transportation market. Growth in export of raw materials and freight transportation volume was achieved because of big demand for energy resources and raw materials in world markets.

Last year there was a considerable increase in import transportations – compared to 2007 they have increased by 10.1%, ie. there were transported 47.116 million tons. In 2008 export transportations have increased by 12.5%, ie. there were transported 2.652 million tons of freight.

The volume of overland transit and domestic transportations has decreased compared to the previous year. In overland transit there were transported 4.606 million tons of freight, which is 8.5% less than in the previous year; domestic transportations have decreased by 15.6%, ie. there were transported 1.687 million tons of freight.

In 2008 the main products carried by rail were oil and oil products – 19.492 million tons. Compared to the previous year there is an increase of 0.8%.

Considerable increase was in transportation of coal – there were carried 18.565 million tons, which is 26.1% more.

Compared to the previous year the biggest increase (58.3%) was in transportation of chemicals – in 2008 there were carried 2.817 million tons.

The amount of grain and flour products carried by rail in 2008 was 1.220 million tons, which is 28.6% more than in 2007.

The amount of ferrous metals carried by rail has remained constant – last year there were transported 2.637 million tons; the amount of mineral fertilizers carried by rail in 2008 has decreased by 7.7% - there were transported 5.196 million tons.

In 2008 there were transported 52759 TEU container units.

LDz Cargo Ltd., subsidiary of LDz, is the biggest rail freight carrier in the Baltic States, as well as one of the biggest payers of social insurance payments and excise tax in the country.