Ports of Stockholm and Riga apply for EU green funding

The Port of Stockholm, the Freeport of Riga Authority, and Riga

joint EU funding to reach their environmental targets.

More specifically, the ports aim to use this funding to reduce the impact

of port activities on the environment in the areas surrounding the passenger

terminals in the capital cities.

The goal is to build a sustainable foundation for the future reintroduction

of the important maritime transport route between the neighbouring countries and

to ensure climate neutrality.

The Freeport of Riga Authority and Riga Ropax Terminal are also part of the

MoU to improve connectivity between Riga and Stockholm and develop a brand new

RoPax terminal in Riga.

Historically, there has been a stable maritime daily connection between

Stockholm and the Latvian capital city, Riga.

Since 2010, services known as RoPax, carrying both passengers and goods

cargo, sailed from the Värta Terminal in Stockholm.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, an average of just over 700,000 passengers

used the sea-route between Stockholm and Riga each year.

During the spring of 2020, the shipping company operating the

Riga-Stockholm route decided to suspend services due to the severe drop in

passenger numbers caused by the pandemic, which made the route unsustainable

financially.

The MoU and the future joint project also aims to fulfil the EU “Fit for

55” goal to reduce net emissions of greenhouse gases by at least 55 per cent by

the year 2030.

Ansis Zeltins, CEO of the Freeport of Riga Authority, stated: “The

development of environmentally friendly and future-oriented passenger

infrastructure, as well as the improvement of connectivity within our port, is a

key strategic goal for Freeport of Riga.”

“The signing of this Memorandum emphasizes our joint effort to address

existing and future environmental challenges, particularly in the scarce Baltic

Sea region, while promoting the development of modern port infrastructure and

building sustainable and ‘green’ passenger and freight services between our

ports,” Zeltins added.

Jūlija Bērziņa, Chair of the Board, as well as Head of the Riga Ropax

Terminal project also emphasized: “The team at the Riga Ropax Terminal is

thrilled about the signing of this Memorandum and the future cooperation it

represents.”

This is especially significant as we are currently working on the new

passenger terminal project in Riga, with a goal of becoming operational and

welcoming our first passengers in 2027.”

“This step will enable us to collaborate more closely and leverage European

funding to achieve our shared goals, and work together more effectively towards

sustainable development, including the potential to expand maritime passenger

transport,” Bērziņa added.

Earlier in the year, it was reported that the Port of Riga saw an increased

container volume in 2022, having recorded a throughput of 460,700 TEU surpassing

the previous year’s figure by 16 per cent.

More recently, Sweden’s newest major freight port, Stockholm Norvik, was

officially inaugurated after opening in 2020.