OREANDA-NEWS. May 21, 2010. In January-April of 2010 Klaipeda port handled 9 9,31,0 thousand tons of marine cargo, i.e. by 16,8 % more than in corresponding period of 2009, reported the press-centre of Klaipeda port.

Turnover growth rates in April this year were significantly higher: handling figures in last month amounted even to 2 422,1 thousand tons, i.e. even by 19,5 % more, in comparison to the corresponding period of 2009.

An increase was recorded in all cargo groups:

general cargo by +24,4 % more, 771,6 thousand tons handled,
dry and bulk cargo by +23,0 % more, 869,6 thousand tons handled,
liquid cargo by +11,7 % more, 780,9 thousand tons handled.

Growth tendencies in cargo handling figures prevailing at Klaipeda port since the beginning of the year allow for optimistic forecasts regarding the total annual cargo handling results. Referring to average cargo handling volume in the first four months of this year, the total cargo turnover in 2010 could amount to 29,796 million tons, which would exceed cargo handling results of the last year, when 27,866 million tons in total were handled. Besides it would be very close to record figures achieved in 2008, when 29,880 million tons were handled. In view of the fact that cargo turnover in the 2nd half of the year usually exceeds results of the 1st half of the year, Klaipeda port has real possibilities to achieve record results. 
           
In terms of different types of cargo, the biggest growth was recorded in handling figures of intermodal cargo (containerized and Ro-Ro cargoes), which is an important indicator of economic recovery. Moreover, the growth rate of these cargo types by tons was one of the highest as comparing with other cargo types.
           
In April 2010, turnover of containers (in TEU) reached record high volume – 24 333 TEU handled, i.e. by 19,7 % more than in corresponding period of 2009. Growth of containerized cargo handling rates, in tons, are even bigger, i.e. by +21,7 % more, 292,8 thousand tons handled.
 
Ro-Ro cargo volume, both in tons and units, is the second best results. In April 2010 356,1 thousand tons were handled, which means an increase even by +40,1 % If calculating in units, 18 276 units of these cargoes were handled, i.e. by +29,7 % more in comparison to April last year.