OREANDA-NEWS. February 02, 2010. In 2009 LDz Cargo, a subsidiary of SJSC Latvijas dzelzcels (LDz) maintained volume of import cargos at the same level as previous year, and considerably increased container transport volume, reported the press-centre of LDz.

In 2009 the amount of import cargos (cargos from Russia, Belarus and other CIS countries) was kept at the same level as in 2008 carrying 47.1 million tons of freight. Thereby the company managed to maintain the most important freight transport direction – freight from the CIS (int.al. from Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan) countries.

“We are satisfied that we managed to keep stable volume of cargos with Russia and other CIS countries. Taking into account that cargo volume of the previous year is comparable to 2008, when we reached a record, we can be satisfied with it in this economic situation,” commented LDz Chairman of the Board Ugis Magonis.

In 2009 container transport reached the most considerable growth. The volume of container transport increased by 34.8% comparing to 2008. Last year there were carried 71142 TEU container units reaching a historic record in container transport.

“This is a very important indicator – LDz Cargo works purposefully to reach increase in cargo volumes. It indicates that one of the strategic goals of the company – diversifying kinds of cargo transportation – is being achieved successfully,” said LDz Cargo Chairman of the Board Guntis Macs.

Last year the company increased transportation of oil and oil products, and coal. The volume of oil and oil products grew by 6.5% reaching 20.75 million tons, but the volume of coal increased by 2.1% reaching 18.95 million tons. The amount of chemical cargos increased by 7.9%, ie. 30.4 million tons of freight.

Comparing to 2008 export and domestic transportations have decreased by 16.2% and 23%, respectively. However, stable rise in volume of container transport and it’s potential makes balance with decreasing cargos, considers G.Macs. “Fall in some indicators we regard as a challenge for 2010, and we will work to balance these indicators,” added G.Macs.

In 2009 LDz Cargo transported 53.67 million tons of freight, which is 4.2% less than in 2008, when the company reached a record in cargo volumes.

“We predict fall in cargo volumes by 10% in 2010 due to external factors. If we could carry out railway infrastructure modernization successfully, and the ports of Latvia would develop their infrastructure as well, for example, terminals of Krievu sala in Riga Port, we could have increase in cargo volumes soon,” emphasized U.Magonis.

LDz Cargo Ltd is the largest rail freight carrier in the Baltic States and the fifth largest among the EU member states. LDz Cargo Ltd is one of the largest excise tax payers in the country.

Concern Latvijas dzelzce ls comprises the holding company SJSC Latvijas dzelzcels and four subsidiaries – LDz Cargo Ltd., a rail freight carrier; LDz infrastruktura Ltd., a company providing infrastructure construction and maintenance works; LDz ritosa sastava serviss Ltd., a company providing rolling stock repairs and maintenance works, and LDz Apsardze Ltd., a security company.