Liepaja SEZ Authority Continues to Develop Infrastructure for the Fisheries Sector in the Port

The Liepaja Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Authority has commenced construction of an access road to Berth No. 92 in the Port of Liepaja. The project is co-financed by the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund under the Fisheries Development Program for 2021–2027. The project provides for the construction of a publicly accessible 364-metre-long access road in the Port of Liepaja, including the installation of smart lighting and a rainwater drainage system. Following a procurement procedure, the contract was awarded to SIA CTB company, which submitted the most economically advantageous tender in the amount of EUR 303,617.32. In accordance with the contract, construction works are to be completed by 1 September 2026.

Berth No. 92 is part of the historic Liepaja fishing harbor. However, due to the expansion of the fish canning plant during the Soviet period, access to the berth was restricted, preventing coastal fishermen from making full use of it.

As noted by the Liepaja SEZ Authority CEO Uldis Hmieļevskis, following a change in ownership of the adjacent property, the SEZ Authority reached an agreement with the new owner, - Syfud company - on amendments to the lease agreement, clearly defining the access route. The route to the berth had long been identified, however it took several years to secure funding from the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund. With the construction season now in full swing, work on the new road is progressing rapidly, and it is expected to be completed by the end of summer.

SIA CTB company will deliver publicly accessible infrastructure, including the road surface, rainwater drainage network and lighting. This will ensure a modern, safe and efficient transport link between the city infrastructure and the Port of Liepaja, supporting the development of the fisheries sector and exports.

The objective of the project is to improve access to berths in the Port of Liepaja, promote a sustainable blue economy, and support the development of fisheries and aquaculture communities. The access road will provide access to the fish landing site for coastal fishermen and improve connectivity to coastal facilities. In the second half of the year, the Liepaja SEZ Authority plans to launch another project, under which Berth No. 92 will be reconstructed in two phases with co-financing from the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund.

For reference:

• The project is implemented under measure U31421.2 “Strengthening the Development of Port Infrastructure,” sub-measure U31421.2.01 “Action 1,” of the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund Fisheries Development Program for 2021–2027.
• On 8 November 2024, the Liepaja SEZ Authority received Decision No. 10.9.2-11/24/3984-e from the Rural Support Service approving project application No. 24-00-UL05-U31421.201-000003 “Construction of an Access Road in the Port of Liepaja.”
• The project aligns with Strategic Objective SM2 of the Liepaja Special Economic Zone Development Plan 2023–2035, which provides for maintaining and enhancing the competitiveness of the Port of Liepaja, including the maintenance and development of port infrastructure to support fisheries enterprises.
• The project is also consistent with Action R1 “Strengthening the Development of Port Infrastructure” under Strategic Objective M4 of the Liepaja District Partnership’s Community-Led Local Development Strategy 2023–2027, contributing to the achievement of the program’s objectives.