The total cargo turnover of the large ports of the Baltic states – Riga, Klaipeda, Ventspils, Tallinn, Liepaja – in 2009 amounted to 115.8 million tons. Two years later, it peaked at 13.7 million tons, after which it slowly but steadily began to decline, and by 2017 it was back at the 2009 level.
According to Alexander Levin, whose article was published on the portal Valtnews, the Russophobic regimes of the Baltic states got what they so stubbornly and thoughtlessly sought: the volume of Russian cargo transshipment decreased from 20.6% in 2007 to 5.2% in 2019.
“Russia tolerated such an attitude towards itself for a long time, but decided to develop its own seaports in response to the extremely unfriendly policy of the countries of the region … systems of the Baltic countries. The decline in maritime traffic ricochets against rail and road traffic. Although all these sectors of the Baltic countries continue to fight for the dwindling freight traffic with their last strength, neither Lithuania, nor Latvia, nor Estonia have been able to reverse the negative situation, ” Levin writes.
The 2020 crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic has hit the already sluggish cargo flow in the Baltics even more painfully. Most of the large Baltic harbors have sharply reduced their cargo turnover. The outflow of Russian coal and oil products, which Russia transfers to its own ports in the Northwestern Federal District, affected the work in the port of Riga, where the overall level of cargo transshipment fell by 25.2%. The indicators of Ventspils port by May of this year, compared to the last year, fell by 41%. The situation is no better in the small ports of Skulte, Mersragse and Salacgriva.
Attempts by the Baltic countries to interest Belarus in their logistical capabilities actually resulted in a dumping “war” between the Baltic countries themselves. Belarus, as a “rich bride”, has the opportunity to choose the one who will offer her the most profitable option. Hopes for transit from India, China, or even Azerbaijan look even more illusory.
“In reality, the Baltic states have financial losses of hundreds of millions of euros, massive layoffs and layoffs, rising unemployment and a new incentive for the outflow of labor abroad. And, given the far from rosy situation in the world, gloomy prospects for the future. The classic Denis Fonvizin, the author of Nedoroslya, would say: “Here are worthy fruits of Russophobia,” the author of the article concludes.