Seatrade Maritime: Containers lift Port of Klaipėda to record-breaking year

Lithuania’s Port of Klaipėda reported a record-breaking year in 2025, handling 39m tonnes of cargo as container, LNG, and ro-ro volumes grew over 2024’s figures.

Growth was led by container handling, which grey by 29% on-year to 13m tonnes, a record volume for the port. One a teu-basis, throughput at Klaipėda was 1.3m teu, breaking the previous record set in 2024 by 29%.

The Port of Klaipėda told Seatrade Maritime news that the growth in container handling was largely driven by a growing share of transshipment operations, enabled by a deepening of the navigation channel and efficient use of its developed port infrastructure. Investment at the port continues, a spokesperson added, with plans to invest in a 100 hectare expansion

The higher overall volumes were delivered despite a 3% drop in vessel calls, reflecting an increase in average vessel size.

There was major growth in LNG volumes to 2.4m tonnes, growing by 19% on 2024’s throughput. The port said the increase was in part due to one month of scheduled maintenance of FSRU Independence in 2024, but the trend remained positive compared to 2023’s 2.35m tonne throughput.

Ro-ro cargo was in the black, up 6% to 6.5m tonnes, including a record number of vehicles transported onboard ferries. The 353,759 vehicles handled at the Port of Klaipėda in 2025 broke the record set in 2021 by 10,500, as TT-Line launched a new direct weekend service and DFDS increased service frequency on its Klaipėda–Karlshamn route, along with new connections to Trelleborg and Travemünde.

There were categories in decline in 2025, including an 18.3% drop in forestry products to 606,000 tonnes. Scrap metal volumes fell by 11% to 1.2m tonnes, which the port attributed to US customs policies and slower demand in Turkey. Grain volumes fell by 7% on a difficult harvest for a commodity that is 60-70% exported.

“2025 was truly a successful year for the Port of Klaipėda – we handled 39m tonnes of cargo. But when we talk about cargo volumes, we also talk about everything that supports them: investments, port security, technological progress, and environmental solutions. All of these areas received significant attention. Seven new records show that the port is actively looking for new opportunities to grow. Despite the geopolitical situation and sanctions, cargo volumes are increasing and the port is operating strongly,” said Algis Latakas, director general of the Klaipėda State Seaport Authority.

Among the port’s future plans, development of green hydrogen production and supply infrastructure, deployment of a hydrogen-powered waste tanker, and on shore power supply to reduce emissions from at-berth vessels.