FPRA urges non-governmental organizations and state institutions to find long-term solutions for air quality improvement

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Published on Monday, 20 May 2013 13:36

Taking into consideration that the Freeport of Riga Authority operates in compliance with the environmental policy approved within the framework of the environment management system, the aim of which is to ensure that the Port of Riga becomes one of the environmentally-friendliest ports in the North-Eastern region of the Baltic Sea, the FPRA Environment and Development Department’s Environment Unit (the Port Environment Service), in cooperation with non-governmental organizations (societies) that are particularly interested in air quality improvement, has informed the societies on the main courses of action to decrease the air pollution caused by companies operating in the port.

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The Freeport of Riga has handled 11.11 million tons of cargo within four months

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Published on Monday, 20 May 2013 13:31

The statistics for the first four months of 2013 show that Riga Freeport has handled 11.11 million tons of cargo, which is 11.3 % less than the corresponding period last year. It has to be noted that the record volume of cargo in Riga port’s history was reloaded in January last year, a trend that continued throughout the year, so this year’s cargo turnover is evaluated as successful in comparison with the results of previous years. To date, April has been the most successful month of the year in terms of the total amount of reloaded cargo and in the segments of general and liquid bulk. The analysis of the increasing figures for each month show that cargo turnover is gradually stabilising and reaching the successful results of last year.

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The Freeport announces student competition winners

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Published on Friday, 19 April 2013 17:04

The student project competition “The Port for the City”, organized by the Freeport of Riga Authority, has come to an end and the winners have been announced. The competition jury highly evaluated the project, presented by a joint tem of Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences and the University of Latvia, providing efficient solutions to foster the Freeport’s internal and international communication. “We are running the student competition for the third time and every Latvian student can submit a creative idea and an innovative project aimed at promoting the Freeport development and further growth. We are glad that submitted student projects become more and more interesting every year, and we have no doubt that our young generation is intelligent and innovative. I would like to note that we all benefit from this competition - the participants by creating new ideas and the jury members by being able to witness the most inspirational project presentations,” says Mr. Eriks Shkapars, the Freeport of Riga Board Deputy Chairman, the competition “The Port for the City” jury Chairman.

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Environmental Engineering Students from Switzerland

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Published on Friday, 19 April 2013 16:47

On April 3, the Freeport of Riga terminals at Sarkandaugava were visited by a group of students from Ecole polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) (Switzerland) with the aim to see Sarkandaugava historically polluted sites. Since 2009 the Freeport of Riga Authority in cooperation with the State Environment Service has participated in the project “Treatment of Historically Polluted Areas in Sarkandaugava territory”, that was implemented on the territories of such companies as “Eko Osta” Ltd, “Woodison terminal”Ltd, “OVI” Ltd. “VL Bunkering”Ltd and “OVI Riga” Ltd. Implementation of the project is possible due to funding provided in the framework of the Swiss-Latvian cooperation program. Swiss students listened to the State Environmental Service representative’s presentation of the project and its implementation. A representative of Intergeo company demonstrated groundwater monitoring wells as well as showed how to determine the actual oil product floating layer thickness taking samples on site. Students were surprised by sampling results - thickness of oil product layer in each sample reached from 30 up to 50 cm. Future environmental engineers from Lausanne received feedback in regards of the project's impact on the River Daugava and Milgravis water environment and project implementation practicalities.

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The Freeport of Riga meets local NGOs

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Published on Friday, 12 April 2013 10:48

On April 2 a meeting of the Freeport representatives and non-governmental organizations was organized with the aim to find solutions to mitigate air pollution, caused by the companies, operating at the port. It was a great opportunity for NGOs to meet the Freeport staff in charge of environmental issues and to jointly agree on the next steps to improve air quality. Such NGOs as Vecmilgravis Development Association as well as public organizations of Sarkandaugava, Kundzinsala and Mezhaparks took part in the meeting. The Freeport was represented by the managers whose responsibilities include environment-related issues, environmental monitoring and surveillance of dangerous goods handling at the Freeport - i.e. by Mr.V.Avotinsh, Environment and Development Department Environment Unit Chief, Mr. A. Purmalis, Chief Port Internal Security Officer, Mr.J. Dalbinsh, Port Control Division Chief. In the framework of three-hour long discussion, the participants came to the following conclusion: the situation when local residents due to unpleasant smells can determine what substances are handled by the port companies is not normal and all options for improving air quality should be considered as soon as possible. The parties discussed such solutions as administrative fines and amendments to current regulatory framework, as well as practical activities aimed at cargo handling and air purification technology development and improvement. As one of the urgent tasks, set forward by NGOs, was the need to ensure stable air quality during Song Festival that is to be held this summer in Mezhaparks. Participants agreed on specific steps for this particular target, as well as on further cooperation to improve air quality, and on information sharing.