News - Riga Port: An investment of over 8 million USD will be made for port upgrades in 2025

The Riga Free Port Council has approved the 2025 investment plan, allocating approximately 8.1 million USD for port development, which is an increase of 1.2 million USD or 17% compared to the previous year. This plan includes ongoing major infrastructure projects and new strategic initiatives.
Chairman of the Riga Free Port Board, Sandis Šteins, commented, "The priority of this year's investment plan is to implement major infrastructure development and digitalization projects for the port, which will enhance the potential to attract new investments. Investing in the physical and digital infrastructure of the port is crucial for continuing to attract investors to develop modern manufacturing and logistics hubs in the port area. We are aware that investors are very interested in Riga Port, but the current infrastructure does not always meet the requirements of large investment projects. This is why we are currently focusing on targeted investments in port infrastructure to make it as attractive as possible and meet the needs of investors."
In 2025, the Riga Free Port Authority plans to complete a new interchange project connecting Tvaika Street and Kundziņsala. This includes the construction of port and public infrastructure in Kundziņsala, such as a modern port checkpoint equipped with a fully digital access system.
The system is designed to facilitate electronic registration, digitization of cargo documents, and improve overall efficiency, thereby enhancing vehicle throughput. The Riga City Council is overseeing the construction of the interchange, with the entire project scheduled for completion in early 2026.
Additionally, development work in Kundziņsala will continue to transform it into a center for cargo warehousing, logistics, and significant international investment, including facilities for wind technology manufacturing. At the end of 2024, the Latvian Cabinet of Ministers approved the project "Establishment of Port and Logistics Infrastructure in Kundziņsala for the Development of Wind Energy Technology Manufacturing," allocating 70.7 million USD for infrastructure improvements.
A total investment of over 93 million USD will be used for the construction of engineering networks, channels, railway crossings, new deep-water berths with roll-on/roll-off ramps, new logistics infrastructure, and dredging activities.
The project is expected to be completed by December 31, 2029, paving the way for large-scale production facilities for offshore wind turbine component manufacturers to be established near the port.
In collaboration with the Riga City Council, the reconstruction plan for Flotes Street began this year. Recently, the growth of the port terminal near Flotes Street in the state of Daugavpils has resulted in increased cargo volumes.
The reconstruction project includes new infrastructure for pedestrians, bicycles, and vehicles, as well as the installation of rainwater collectors and lighting. Construction is expected to commence by the end of 2025 and is anticipated to be completed by 2027.
Advancing modern maritime passenger transport infrastructure: To facilitate the construction of a cruise and ferry terminal for passenger and cargo vessels at Eksportosta, the Riga Free Port Authority plans to improve shipping infrastructure by partially dismantling the ED dam. This renovation is necessary to accommodate large cruise ships longer than 300 meters near the historic city center.
The partial dismantling is expected to be completed by the summer of 2026. Meanwhile, the Riga Free Port Authority is collaborating with partners from the Riga City Council, LIAA, RITA, and the Ministry of Economics to restore regular passenger and cargo ferry services to and from Riga Port.
Digital infrastructure projects will progress, focusing on equipping port checkpoints with biometric and machine vision technology for non-contact control of personnel and vehicles. Cooperation will continue to digitally transform Latvia's port management through enhanced data processing and analysis, and by implementing an integrated platform for seamless digital integration among port users, freight companies, and port authorities.
In accordance with the EU Green Deal and green port objectives, Riga Port is participating in the "Baltic ah2 - Cross-border Hydrogen Valley around the Baltic" project. This program involves research on the application of hydrogen technology in marine environments, including transportation, storage, manufacturing, and alternative fuels such as methanol and ammonia. The port plans to develop feasibility studies and projects within this year to transition the existing fleet to hydrogen-based hybrid propulsion technologies.
In 2024, the port completed several significant infrastructure projects, including a military mobility project with a total investment of 13.7 million USD, enhancing the port's competitiveness and security. A renewable energy industrial park is being built within the port area, along with a contract signed for the development of a 100 MW solar park, with investments up to 87.6 million USD.
The total budget for Riga Port's infrastructure projects in 2025 is 8.1 million USD, with 5.9 million USD coming from the Riga Free Port Authority and 2.2 million USD from the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility program, aimed at "digital transformation of port management through improved logistics data processing and analysis."