Transit decreased, but Lithuania remained a transit country
V. Šileika is happy that the losses will be small this year, but believes that the next year may be much more complicated than this one: challenges are predicted, with an approaching recession.
“The forecasts at the beginning of this year, when the war in Ukraine started, were quite gloomy, the mood was not happy. Fortunately, they did not come true and we will end the year quite well. Of course, there will be no increase in cargo, and if there is a drop, it will be small. This is what we are happy about,” the head of KKT told “Vakāru ekspres”.
According to him, in such a situation, diversification of both cargo and markets saved the company. It was not the case that most of the cargo was in transit from Eastern countries.
“The transit flow has decreased, but I can’t really say that Lithuania has become a non-transit country, even though rail transportation is also decreasing, port cargo is also falling, transit cargo is definitely less,” says V. Šileika. According to him, cargo flows from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are still running, as much as the bandwidth allows. Although not much, cargoes also arrive from Ukraine. “The railway to Western Europe is now functioning. We hear about those trains that are allowed from Lithuania to Duisburg and another, so there is still transit,” said the head of KKT.
Updated technique
KKT manages two terminals: container and ro-ro and general cargo. The most significant event of this year at the container terminal is the lifting of empty containers from the main site to a new area, and the increase of ro-ro and general cargo – TT-Line ferry sailings from three to 5 times a week.
This year, a contract was signed for the design of automatic KKT gates. “It is still the first stage. We are making a pre-registration system, and then we will start the main works related to the installation of automatic gates. But this is a project for next year,” said V. Šileika.
Despite the difficult times, KKT purchased two new Liebherr cranes. One leaves Klaipėda before Christmas, and the other bus is delivered next May.
This year, two hydraulic electric cranes were also delivered, which were ordered to be manufactured in Finland. They are already being worked on.
The dream of the head of KKT is to ask Santa Claus to give the company more space.
SITUATION. Cargo at the Klaipėda Central Terminal decreased by up to 20 percent.
Wages were increased twice
When asked if KKT lacks employees and whether they are brought in from other countries, V. Šileika answered that there is no shortage of employees yet, they are not brought in from other countries. There are currently about 270 of them through both terminals. There are several Ukrainians among them, but they have permanent residence permits in Lithuania.
Salaries for employees have been raised twice this year. And next year, according to V. Šileika, if nothing changes, if cargo flows do not drop dramatically, it is planned to review the salary of employees.
According to the manager, every year they try to ensure that employees spend Christmas Eve and the first day of Christmas at home. If only, the terminals are closed for 12 or 24 hours.
2023 will be more complicated
According to V. Šileika, the recession in Western Europe is already characteristic to certain extents. This can affect the entire transport system as well as the port.
“It is difficult to predict now what the impact will be – big or small. There are many geopolitical uncertainties: this is an ongoing war, and now it is possible to predict the energy of resource production. I think that the coming years will not be so simple by any means. We are looking at them quite carefully. It would be very good , if at least some stability would remain and it would be possible to maintain those cargo flows that were this year, – said V. Šileika.
– My wishes are simple: I want to wish that all of us – both employees and their families – would be healthy and happy next year. You have to brace your shoulders and hold on to everyone.”
FORECASTS. This year’s gloomy forecast for KKT did not come true, the year was not very bad for the company. The next year is predicted to be challenging.
Cargo decline – 20 percent
This year, two huge, newly built, new generation AB DFDS Seaways ferries started sailing from UAB Centrinio Klaipėda Terminal (CKT). It was a very significant event, which has been prepared for a long time – an extended pier. However, the general director of the terminal, Karolis Grigalauskas, says that the last year was a sad one for the company – cargo at the terminal decreased by 20 percent.
The head of CKT regrets that the new ships were not able to be fully loaded by the end of the year. This was determined by the general geopolitical situation. Some companies in the port of Klaipėda were growing when most stopped their activities, while others felt a significant decrease in cargo. CKT was among them.
In addition to the arrival of a new generation of ferries, another significant event for this company is the launch of a solar power plant. It was intended to be done this year in December, right before Christmas. Arrangement of solar panels on the roof of the CKT cargo screening and entry gates. Part of the funds for this solar power plant came from European Union funds.
“We want to produce up to 10 percent of this power for our own needs. electricity. What awaits us next year is difficult to predict, apparently we will receive this year’s inheritance. So far, we cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel, which means that the situation should improve. There are currently no indications that there are many loads”, says K. Grigalauskas.
despite the difficult times and the fact that cargo flows fell, CKT implemented the planned investment program.
Photo of Vita JUREVIČIENĖ and editorial archive.