“Despite various global geopolitical challenges and uncertainty in world markets, this year we have managed not only to increase cargo turnover in the port of Riga, but also to invest in the development of the port of Riga. Investments have been made in accommodation of the railway infrastructure of the port, deepening the navigation channel, rebuilding the hydraulic structures and improving the infrastructure of the yachts.Every year, moreover, we invest more and more funds to test and implement digital solutions, thus automating the port processes and reducing the time required for cargo handling. We are also planning investments in the technical and digital infrastructure of the port in 2023,” says Ansis Zeltiņš, Director of the Riga Freeport.
This year, large-scale works have been carried out in Kundzinsala on the arrangement of the railway infrastructure of the port, where the reconstruction of the railway tracks and switchboards has been carried out, as well as new floodlights and LED lamps have been installed in the railway park in the scope of the project, which will improve the quality of lighting in the future, ensuring savings of 30% – 35% in electricity consumption and reducing CO2 emissions. On the other hand, in cooperation with VAS “Latvijas Dzelzceļš”, the Riga Freeport Authority initiated the integration of the common processes of railway cargo data circulation, creating a solution for digitized railway cargo data circulation and automation .
The reconstruction works of the Sarkandaugava bridge also started this year. It is the only railway bridge in the territory of the port, which guarantees the exchange of railway cargo with Kundziņsala. The construction part of the bridge will be renovated, providing safe and more convenient crossing of the bridge for both road and rail transport as well as pedestrians. The installation of decorative lighting is also planned to illuminate the metal structures of the bridge during the dark hours of the day. In addition, the reconstruction of the road in Kundziņsala from the Sarkandaugava bridge to the territory of the largest container terminal of the port “Baltic Container Terminal” was started. There are also plans to modify the road surface, build a rainwater drainage system and install street lighting.
This year, the repairs of the second stage of the coastal strengthening of Daugavgriva or BKRR dam were completed. The restoration of the hydraulic structure was started in 2020, reinforcing the almost 200-meter-long coast of Daugavgriva that was swept away by the storm. The works continued in 2022, and currently 300 meters of reinforcement structures have been completely restored with granite boulders and piles.
Continuing the cleaning work of the docks and the navigation channel of the port of Riga, which began in 2021, in cooperation with the Danish company Rodhe Nielsen, cleaning work was carried out on the bottom of the water area in four points of the port. In general, the volume of excavated land in the water area in 2022 reaches 123 thousand m3. On the other hand, under the project “Improvement and popularization of the network of marinas in Eastern Latvia” in 2022, investments were made to improve the infrastructure of the marina on Matroži Street. The marina equipment installed includes the expansion of the existing breakwater and the construction of a new breakwater, as well as the installation of additional equipment.
The development of several large-scale construction projects was also launched in 2022, where the active construction phase will begin in the coming years. The design work is continuing on the development of the construction project for the reconstruction of the fire, water and domestic sewage system in Kundziņsala, the development of the construction project for the reconstruction of several piers (MS-11, MS-12 and MS -13 ) and the development of the construction project for the reconstruction of Flotes Street in Daugavgrīva was started. Following the reconstruction of Flote Street, a modern transport infrastructure will be provided, including the construction of a large parking lot and a section of the pedestrian path that will connect the parking lot with the existing pedestrian path at the “Pijeūra” Nature Park.
In cooperation with the residents’ associations, the Riga Free Port Authority regularly carries out improvement works in the areas surrounding the port – it builds sports fields and children’s playgrounds, installs pedestrian paths and rest areas, cleans and makes green areas. In 2022, another similar project was implemented – the installation of a children’s playground in the residential area of Kundziņsala.
The main function of the Riga Port Authority is the maintenance and management of the port infrastructure. This includes the maintenance, reconstruction and modernization of the water area of the port – waterways, waterways, hydraulic structures – piers, piers and dams, roads and railways, as well as related infrastructure – bridges, crossings, lighting road and engineering communications.
