Precondition for the successful development of the Port of Liepaja and its advantage is its convenient geographical location. Liepaja is one of only three ice-free ports on the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea, which is especially important during winter months when servicing short sea traffic and line traffic vessels.

The Port of Liepaja is built without using natural formations - a river delta, a bay or a lagoon that would protect the port from the effects of wind and waves, therefore it has to be protected from external forces by a complicated system of hydrotechnical protective structures, including three gates that connect the port area with the open sea. While the port was serving for military purposes when Liepaja was a closed military base for the armed forces of the USSR, the port infrastructure was maintained at an insufficient level and extent, thus, at present, part of port’s hydrotechnical structures is in an unsatisfactory or even emergency condition, in addition only two of three port gates are used for regular ship traffic, thus reducing the level of maritime safety when ships are entering or leaving the port and moving within the port area. As a result, the hydrotechnical structures of the Port of Liepaja and their condition have become problematic points that limit the efficient operation of Trans-European Networks infrastructure.

The aim of the project “Renovation of the Hydrotechnical Structures of the Karosta Canal and the Northern Gate” is to improve the maritime safety level of short sea traffic ships and to eliminate the limits to the operation of Trans-European Networks infrastructure caused by the problematic points, by renovating and reconstructing the hydrotechnical structures of the Port of Liepaja.

The following activities will be carried out within the framework of the project:

Project implementation will result in renovation or reconstruction of the port’s hydrotechnical structures, including reconstruction of two piers, and the renovated hydrotechnical structures and the opening of the Northern Gate for ship traffic will significantly improve maritime safety, thus reducing the potential losses of sea traffic participants, including the downtime of weather-damaged ships, the costs of environmental pollution and the losses to the economies of importing countries in relation to untimely delivered goods.

Project No.6.1.1.0/17/I/004 “Renovation of the Hydrotechnical Structures of the Karosta Canal and the Northern Gate” is implemented within the framework of the specific objective of aid 6.1.1. “Increase the Safety Level of Larger Ports and Improve the Transport Network Mobility” of the Operational Program “Growth and Employment”.