Liepaja SEZ Authority Strengthens Cooperation with the Ports of Lübeck and Hamburg in Germany

Port development, green energy, and strengthening of transport corridors were the main topics during the Latvian German Port Days in Hamburg and Lübeck on April 14–15, attended by the Liepaja SEZ CEO Uldis Hmieļevskis and his Advisor Jānis Lapiņš.

Liepaja and Travemünde, which is the outer port and a borough of Lübeck, are directly connected by the Stena Line ferry service operating six times per week, often referred to as an extension of the German autobahn. It was in 2016, when the Liepaja SEZ Authority signed a cooperation agreement with the Lübecker Hafen-Gesellschaft mbH, whereas a cooperation agreement with the Port of Hamburg Authority was concluded in 2021.

The Latvian delegation was led by Minister of Transport Atis Švinka. The visit concluded with the Latvian German Port Days Forum. During the forum panel discussion, the Liepaja SEZ CEO Uldis Hmieļevskis emphasized importance of long-term partnerships and innovation in strengthening port competitiveness, security, and sustainability, also highlighting future joint projects.

The Liepaja SEZ Authority is actively involved in the development of the Baltic German PowerLink where Germany, Latvia and Lithuania are planning a joint cross‑border European electricity transmission project in the Baltic Sea. The Baltic-German PowerLink is intended to connect the three countries as well as offshore wind farms off the Baltic coast thus contributing to strengthening security of supply and energy sovereignty. 
 
Liepaja has been identified as a potential onshore connection point. In addition, an agreement has recently been concluded on the development of a Nordic–Baltic hydrogen ecosystem, linking it with Germany and designating Liepaja as a connection point.