RIGA, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Latvia has drawn up a new plan to boost flagging cargo turnover and ship calls at its three largest ports, the country announced on Wednesday.

The plan, developed by the Latvian Economics Ministry in collaboration with the transport sector, includes strategic measures intended to boost the competitiveness of Riga, Ventspils and Liepaja ports from 2025-2027.

In recent years, Latvian ports have seen a decline in both cargo turnover and ship calls, as traffic with the east has stalled due to geopolitical tensions. In 2024, the Latvian ports' cargo turnover dropped by 6.8 percent year-on-year to just over 36 million tons, while the number of ship calls fell 7.2 percent to 1,421.

However, the new roadmap is expected to increase the ports' annual cargo turnover by 30.6 percent to 47 million tons in 2027. Meanwhile, the number of ship passengers handled at the ports should increase by 600,000 to 1 million people in 2027.

Industrial production at the ports is projected to grow by 10 percent.

The roadmap also includes green transition, digitalization and innovation activities to develop the ports' green infrastructure and use of alternative energy sources, and the introduction of cutting-edge technology.

Measures for military mobility and the logistics chain of the Latvian defense industry are intended to position the ports as strategic sites in the context of national defense.

The roadmap sets out six strategic lines of action, with over 80 activities listed to achieve development goals. These include expansion into new markets, and the promotion of exports by supporting export businesses. Enditem

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