Ventspils Free Port

The Most Significant Historical Dates

• XVI century - Ventspils was a member of the Hanseatic Leage
• 1642 - 1682 Development of Ventspils Port began during the rule of Duke Jacob of Kurland
• 1887 - 1904 After the construction of the Ribinsk - Moscow - Ventspils railway Ventspils Port clamed its fame as one of the largest in the Russian Empire
• 1970 The Largest Potash Terminal starts operations
• 1973 Ventspils Port begins to handle Ammonia and other Liquid Chemical cargo
• 1974 The Largest Oil Terminal on Baltic Sea Region starts operations
• 1980 Ventspils Port becomes the seventh largest port in Europe
• 1991 Ventspils Port begins to operate independently operation
• 1997 Law on Ventspils Free Port comes into force

Facts and Figures 1997

• Max. Depth 17,3m
• Max. DWT 120 000
• Max. Length of vessel 252m
• Berths 5767m
• Land Territory 1728ha
• For a new development 756ha

Organigram of Ventspils Free Port Authority

Main Responsibilities of the Ventspils Free Port Authority

• Landlord Function
• Maintenance of Sea and River Navigation Channels
• Maintenance of Breakwater, Quaywalls and Berth
• Environmental Protection
• Enforcing Port Regulations
• Port Dues
• Issue Free Zone Licence

The Ventspils Free Port Status

• 22.06.1994 ,, The Law on Ports''
• 19.12.1996 ,,The Law on Ventspils Free Port''
• Ventspils Free Port Incentives:
• 0% Customs Duty
• 0% Excise Tax
• 0% VAT

The Ventspils Free Port Business Strategy:

• To offer for the international transport and trading community, the best technical port conditions, competitive price and flexible services with high quality management;
• Keep a strong market position, as the leading Baltic Sea port for Liquid and Dry Bulk Cargoes, and continue long-term development General Cargoes handling facilities;
• Diversification & Industrial Free Zone Development.

Cargo Turnover of Ventspils Free port in 1985 - 1997 (million Tons)

Ventspils Free Port gradually increases cargo turnover, handled 37 million tons in 1997!

The Type of Cargo Handled in 1997

Cargo handled by Commodity (in mill. Tons)

Ventspils Free Port in year 1997 handled up to 37 million tons: 20 % of world potash trade, 15% of Russian oil export, 74 % of Latvian cross border cargo throughput.

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