Port of Riga invests in further infrastructure development
The Freeport of Riga Authority will invest 19.8 million euros in the development of port infrastructure in 2022, which is by almost one-quarter more than a year before. 60 per cent of this amount will be financed by the port authority itself, while the remaining part will be allocated from the EU funds. The planned investments will facilitate both road and rail traffic within the port area.
The investment plan for 2022 includes many options such as dredging of the navigational waters at the port, various improvements to the port’s hydro-technical constructions, as well as the modernisation of several berths. However, the key focus is the development of road and rail infrastructure in the Freeport of Riga.
One of the main projects in the Latvian largest harbour for the current year is the construction of the overpass from Tvaika Street to Kundzinsala. By implementing this initiative, the port authority will contribute to reducing air pollution from road freight to and from the port terminals in Kundzinsala as trucks will be redirected away from the city centre and therefore limit the time spent on the road. Construction of the overpass is expected to be completed by the end of 2023. In addition to the overpass, the port authority will modernise the railway bridge to Kundzinsala. The works on this site will also start in spring 2022 and is scheduled to be finished by mid-2023.
Furthermore, the Freeport of Riga Authority plans to invest around 1 million euros in developing green energy, smart technologies and IT projects. This comes as the port believes energy efficiency, automation of processes and speed of cargo movement are amongst the most important issues of today, while also having a direct impact on its competitiveness. “The planned investments are crucial to improve the port’s competitiveness and capacity performance indicators. This will also improve safety and security at the port and enable servicing larger vessels, less adverse impact on the environment and the global ecosystem,” said Viesturs Zeps, chairman of the board of the Freeport of Riga Authority.