One of the challenges in restoring ferry services from Riga is the lack of a functioning terminal building, Estonian ferry operator Tallink Grupp’s Communications Director Meelis Kompus told LETA.
He noted that in recent years the Latvian government has repeatedly expressed interest in reviving the Riga–Stockholm ferry route, and several meetings have been held to move the idea forward.
“Tallink has not forgotten Latvia. Once the war in Ukraine is over, the economic situation allows for low-risk operations, and a suitable vessel is available, the company will seriously consider reopening the route with a single ship,” Kompus said.
At the same time, he stressed that the absence of a functioning terminal in Riga is an additional challenge, as the previous building has been converted into a real estate office. The Latvian government, the Riga municipality and the Port of Riga must therefore first create the necessary preconditions to ensure the operation of ferry services.
Transport Minister Atis Svinka (Progressives) explained in an interview with LETA that in 2007 certain areas were deliberately excluded from the territory of the Port of Riga. “It was the territory of Andrejosta, which was transferred into private hands and later redirected to completely different uses. Whatever the decision, it is irreversible, and the Port of Riga has lost these areas. Could there ever be a ferry and a terminal there? I have serious doubts about that,” the minister said.
He added that the current owners are focused on profit for themselves, not on public benefit or the interests of Riga. Thus, he argued, other solutions should be sought for developing ferry traffic, while cruise ship berths could remain in the city center.
“This is a huge challenge for Riga, but it is not insurmountable. I believe that it can be clarified in a short period of time — both in terms of the necessary funding and the ways to implement the project of a passenger terminal in the Port of Riga,” Svinka said.
He emphasized that the ferry terminal is not only about passengers but also about car and truck traffic. “These are technical issues that need to be resolved, and they are very complicated because of historical decisions. But I am convinced it can be done,” the minister underlined.
Asked whether restoring ferry services from Riga would require state support, the minister replied that it would be a package deal, which must include infrastructure. “Of course, Tallink is also being realistic about the conditions under which it is ready to operate. To some extent I agree that the public sector should be involved to make such a service possible. But we have not yet come to concrete figures. First there must be a clear vision — does Latvia and Riga really want this ferry service? Because so far, it has remained only words,” he said.
Representatives of the Freeport of Riga told LETA that the port, together with the Economics Ministry, the Transport Ministry and the Riga municipality, is working on approaching European ferry companies to attract a long-term partner and secure the possibility of restoring the line to and from Riga. At the same time, negotiations are underway with Tallink on the resumption of regular freight and passenger ferry services from the Port of Riga.
The Freeport added that an important long-term step to boost cruise and ferry traffic in Riga will be the development of a combined cargo-passenger terminal in Eksportosta.
According to the Freeport, the construction of a new terminal will significantly enhance Riga’s competitiveness in the Baltic Sea cruise and passenger markets, as well as in the ro-ro (ferry) segment. Discussions with ferry operators show that one of the key factors for ensuring regular ferry services in Riga is the creation of a modern, functional and customer-friendly ro-pax terminal, the port stressed.
Tallink’s regular Riga–Stockholm ferry service was discontinued in early 2020.
Source: BNS
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