RIGA, Oct 10 (LETA) - The Freeport of Riga handled 13.141 million tons of cargo in the first nine months of 2024, a decrease of 6.8 percent from the corresponding period in 2023, according to information released by the port.

Bulk cargo, which dominated the port’s cargo structure in January-September this year, dropped 16.3 percent year-on-year to 6.444 million tons.

Meanwhile, the turnover of general cargo grew 5.9 percent to 6.034 million tons, and handling of liquid cargo fell 6 percent to 662,400 tons.

Reloading of containerized cargo increased 1.1 percent year-on-year to 3.676 million tons in January-September this year, making up 28 percent of the port's total cargo turnover (25.8 percent a year ago).

Reloading of grain and grain products cargo increased 16 percent from the respective period a year ago to 2.508 million tons, or 19.1 percent of all cargos. Handling of timber was up 21.2 percent to 2.236 million tons.

Coal cargos fell at the fastest rate, from 1.36 million tons a year ago to 82,200 tons in January-September 2024, the freeport said.

In 2023, the port of Riga handled 18.794 million tons of cargo, which is a drop of 20.1 percent from the previous year.

Riga is the largest Latvian port by cargo turnover.