Baltic Container Terminal – Location and Logistics

Riga. Ideal for the development of logistics chains

Latvia is a fast developing country on the south-east coast of the Baltic Sea located between the other Baltic countries of Estonia and Lithuania. In the early eighties the Port of Riga was identified as the point of entry through which containerised cargo could flow to and from the main industrial centres of the ex-Soviet Union. This decision was made after taking into consideration that the port of Riga had a good geographical location, well-developed rail and road networks within timely reach of Moscow, Pskov, Novgorod, St. Petersburg, Minsk, Kiev, Vilnius, Tallinn, Alma-Ata, Tashkent as well as other destinations.

The Freeport of Riga is a regional port that services cargo vessels operating in the Baltic region, particularly in trade with the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). These countries remain the single most important trading partner of the Baltic States. This growth has continued since Latvia joined the EU in 2004. Riga’s location is ideal for the development of logistics chains to Russia and its neighbouring countries. The terminal enjoys efficient onward connections by rail and road to the major cities of the four countries that border Latvia: Russia, Estonia, Lithuania and Belarus.

Mariner’s Baltic Container Terminal (BCT) has developed integrated logistics chains that are able to accommodate a wide range of value-added services and cargo mixes for the region. Its strategic geographical location along with well-developed direct rail and road networks make it well suited to meet container traffic demand to and from the main industrial centres of the Russian hinterland and CIS states. The terminal covers 57 hectares on an island at the mouth of the river Daugava with favourable navigation at the terminal all year round and no tide to influence its 24/7 operation