Klaipėda Port reports growth and expanding Baltic market share

The Port of Klaipėda recorded impressive year-to-date performance, solidifying its status as the leading port in the Baltic States. Cargo handling volumes soared across key sectors, primarily driven by a surge in container traffic, maritime transit, and the burgeoning ship repair industry. Port Director Latakas credited the port's diversification for its success, stating, "Despite all the turmoil – the war and its fallout, including sanctions and tariffs – the first half of the year was exceptionally strong in terms of cargo handling."

Containerized cargo remained the primary growth engine, with Klaipėda managing 7.2 million tonnes, a 12% uptick from the same period in 2025. This was propelled by surging sea transit volumes, the introduction of a new deep-sea shipping route connecting Klaipėda directly to Asia, and the expansion of short-sea shipping services.

The Roll-on/Roll-off (Ro-Ro) segment also experienced a 4% rise, with 3.4 million tonnes of ferries passing through the port. Freight vehicle transport via the port also climbed to 173,505 units, up from 169,280 during the same period last year.

Oil products saw a robust 12% increase, with 2.3 million tonnes handled – a 242,000-tonne jump from the same period in 2025. The liquefied natural gas (LNG) segment also outperformed, with throughput rising by 37% to nearly 1.6 million tonnes, fueled by stable regional demand and increased cargo heading to Ukraine. Fertilizer handling also rebounded, growing 14% year-on-year to 894,000 tonnes. Vegetable oils and fats posted the fastest growth, jumping 58% to 294,000 tonnes.

Scrap metal volumes remained stable at 565,000 tonnes. Ship repair and shipbuilding services contributed significantly, with 46 vessels repaired or modernized at the port, a 31% increase compared to the same period last year. Grain exports totaled nearly 1.3 million tonnes, slightly below last year's 1.4 million tonnes. Timber cargo saw a decline of 153,000 tonnes, while construction materials and minerals handled 943,000 tonnes, down from over 1 million tonnes in the first half of 2025.

These figures largely reflect the normalization of market conditions post-2025's exceptional first half, marked by Lithuania's infrastructure development projects that generated unprecedented demand. Klaipėda alone expanded its market share among Baltic ports to 44%, making Lithuania, combining Klaipėda Port and the Būtingė Oil Terminal, account for over 54% of the entire Baltic States cargo handling market.