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Russia may stop coal transit through Riga port — vice mayor of Riga

Russian coal accounts for a third of the total volume of freight handled in the Riga Port

RIGA, August 13. /TASS/. Russia may stop using Riga free port for the coal transit, Vice Mayor of Riga and Chief Executive Officer of the port Andris Ameriks said on Thursday referring to unofficial information.

"I hope this information will not be confirmed but such information usually has follow up," Ameriks said.

Russian coal accounts for a third of the total volume of freight handled in the Riga Port. The port has nothing to substitute such a volume, the vice mayor said.

"I think this will affect the Latvian economy on the whole," Ameriks said. Potential losses are estimated at €130-140 mln a year because every million tonnes of coal handled in the port provides about €10 mln to the Latvian economy, he added.

Russian Railways is carrying freight transportation to Latvia on track in accordance with requests of shippers endorsed by the Latvian side, the press service of the Russian railway operator said in its turn.

"There are no restrictions in the Russian Railways to carry out rail supplies of goods to Latvia," company’s representative said.