The pandemic and geopolitics have already had an impact on transport and logistics services, and the EU Green Course will also play an important role in the future.
The policy of the sector, the situation in the sector, as well as its development perspectives in Latvia will be discussed at a conference organized by SIA Izdevniecība Dienas Bizness in cooperation with VAS Latvijas dzelzceļš, VAS Latvijas Pasts, SIA Omniva and SIA Hansab. professional conference Logistics and transportwhich will take place on 24 February this year.
Transport and logistics were and are one of the most important sectors of the Latvian economy. The industry faces a number of significant challenges simultaneously. In particular, the Covid-19 pandemic has led to a rapid change in global supplies, while there has been an increase in demand for such supplies in order to reduce epidemiological requirements and human health risks. In addition, it should be borne in mind that the European Union’s Green Course will have an increasing impact on the transport segment in the long run. On the other hand, the unpredictable geopolitical situation significantly complicates long-term planning, as everything can change at one time.
Namely, international sanctions have affected the products of neighboring Belarus, which were transported using transport and logistics infrastructure, but it is very challenging to attract new cargoes of large groups of goods in a short time in the current circumstances. Recent years have been difficult for the industry, and it should be noted that the reform of the Riga and Ventspils port authorities was launched. The industry has shown that it is able to work in such conditions, when it is essentially necessary to solve an equation with several unknowns.
Challenges and solutions
It is undeniable that the Covid-19 pandemic has caused not only global changes, which also affect transport and logistics, not only in Latvia, but also worldwide. Experts from the Ministry of Transport, SJSC Latvijas dzelzceļš, the Latvian Stevedoring Association and Latvian road hauliers will try to find answers to the challenges in these sectors and the corresponding opportunities in 2022. In response to the global pandemic, trade flows have changed, as have modes of transport and routes between Asia and Europe.
At the same time, the sharp rise in energy prices has had an impact, which has to some extent facilitated the transit of such goods (such as coal), while the rise in fuel prices is also having an impact on the price of services. Despite this, the Latvian transport and logistics industry is looking for new opportunities. The focus will also be on the challenges posed to the industry by the pandemic, while seeking answers to the following key questions: what the industry needs from policy makers; what are the possible new directions of development and their perspectives. The Latvian transport and logistics industry can offer services and solutions for the transit of large volumes of bulk cargo, liquid cargo, chemical products, agricultural products, general cargo and containers.
Transport and logistics require adequate infrastructure and investment in its development. The managers of the Freeport of Riga, the Freeport of Ventspils and the Liepaja Special Economic Zone will outline solutions in the discussion on the impact of globalization on logistics and the search for new partners. Distance selling requires the development of suppliers Due to the pandemic, people could not buy many goods in person, there was also a desire to avoid the risk of infection with Covid-19, many people prefer to buy goods in online stores with delivery to their nearest points of delivery, demand for such service providers.
At the same time, it is undeniable that the postal company also has its own challenges of the new age. “There are challenges – there are solutions! Shipments from the first cent must be cleared throughout the European Union, and our answer is both customs brokerage and convenient customs clearance in a special application. But we offer to receive shipments from any country and any supplier without leaving home, because there is a whole life at home and also our solution – a home parcel terminal! Because global = local! ” its situation is described by Sārcis Vilcāns, Chairman of the Board of SJSC Latvijas Pasts.
Māris Kuļikovskis, Head of Sales at Omniva Latvija Ltd., emphasizes: “Do what works best! But support processes such as shipping logistics, packaging and storage to make the box more efficient – cheaper and faster! This is today’s formula for business growth and sustainability. ”
Opportunities for industrial parks
Also in Latvia – in Ventspils and Liepāja – industrial zones have been established, where various products and products are produced, for the delivery of which the same ports are used for their consumers abroad. Experts will discuss how investors view the creation of industrial areas. It must be taken into account that the development of new industrial park areas must be adapted to the necessary transport and logistics infrastructure. It is the development of industrial areas in ports that is one of the opportunities to achieve good results. In search of new opportunities One of the most important discussions is and will be about the so-called new transport and logistics strategy (in line with both the EU’s Green Course and the new situation in Europe).
The Latvian transport and logistics industry can offer efficient, economical and safe services and solutions for the transit of large volumes of bulk cargo, liquid cargo, chemicals, agricultural products, general cargo and containers. Namely, it will be necessary to look for new transport corridors, to attract the owners (carriers) of such cargoes who have not used the Latvian transit corridor for some reason so far or have done so rarely. The transport and transit sector will also be affected by the goal of achieving climate neutrality, including the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, which will require greener transport, where one of the possible sources of funding is European Union co-financing. Another possibility is to create Riga as an air cargo transit center in the Baltics. The leaders of the Foreign Investors’ Council in Latvia and the Latvian Logistics Association will discuss these new opportunities.
–
