Consistently Stable Operations of the Port of Liepaja in 2025

As a multifunctional port, the Port of Liepaja has maintained a stable cargo turnover over the past ten years, averaging around 7 million tons annually. This stability continued in 2025, when a total of 6.9 million tons of cargo were handled even though it represented a decrease of 0.19 million tons, or 2.53%, compared to the previous year, while the share of domestic cargo remained above 52%.

Uldis Hmieļevskis, the Liepaja Special Economic Zone (SEZ) CEO, notes that the transformation of port operations is still ongoing, with changes in logistics routes and cargo types. “Through close cooperation with port operators, the municipality, and the government, we have been able to adapt flexibly and efficiently to market conditions, replacing certain cargo types with others and developing new investment projects.”

Traditionally, the largest cargo group at the Port of Liepaja in 2025 was dry bulk cargo, with a turnover of 4.55 million tons. Agricultural cargo continues to dominate, including grain grown by local farmers as well as grain imported from Central Asian countries. In the past year, imports of Argentine soybeans and Brazilian sugar through the Port of Liepaja to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan also continued. While a slight decline was observed in the agricultural and energy resources segment (wood chips and pellets) due to unusually warm winters and cold, rainy summer weather conditions, growth was recorded in the construction materials segment, primarily cement.

In the general cargo segment, the largest cargo turnover consisted of ro-ro cargo transported on the regular Stena Line ferry route Liepaja–Travemünde (Germany). In 2025, the number of transported units increased by 4%. A ferry berth reconstruction project has been launched, and the submission of bids from construction contractors has been completed. Construction is planned to begin this year and be completed by the end of 2027, improving both military mobility and ensuring dual-use functionality of the berth. The annual value of cargo transported by ferry amounts to approximately EUR 4 billion.

In 2025, it was possible to balance the situation in the liquid bulk cargo segment and attract new food-grade liquid bulk cargo from Central Asia, increasing liquid bulk cargo turnover to 0.3 million tons. In the past year, 63% of all liquid bulk cargo consisted of food-grade products, including rapeseed oil and molasses. Overall, liquid bulk cargo volumes at the Port of Liepaja remain relatively small.

In 2025, the Liepaja SEZ Authority, together with entrepreneurs and investors, continued work on sustainable industrial development projects related to the production and supply of renewable energy resources. 

In 2025, the Port of Liepaja serviced 1,154 vessels and 99,942 passengers. 

The Port of Liepaja remains a popular stopover for sailors and an emerging destination for cruise ships. In 2025, 193 yachts were serviced at the marina. Three cruise ships were visited Liepaja in the past year, while eight cruise ship calls are planned for 2026.