The Latvian Railway Company has transported 48,731 thousand tonnes of cargo in 2006. That is 6130 thousand tonnes (or 11.2%) less than in 2005.
In 2006, 17360 tonnes crude oil and petroleum products have been transported (81.7% of the amount in 2005), 14,444 thousand tonnes coal (92.6% of coal in 2005), 5,535 thousand tonnes artificial fertilisers (78.7% of the amount in 2005).
The main reasons for the decrease of the freight cargo in 2006 are the fluctuations in freight market, the increased competition among the Baltic see ports, the fluctuations of the prices of raw materials in the world market, not enough smooth handling of cargo in Latvian ports, inter alia in the port of Ventspils, and other reasons.
Last year, the container train “Baltika-Tranzits” achieved good results. In 2006, there were 104 trains with containers shipped (4,940 wagons or 5,455 containers). The number of trains in comparison to 2005 has increased by 26.9%, of the wagons by 30.7% and of containers by 30.6%.
The amount of cargo in 2007 is planned like the same as in 2006. There are perspectives to develop the transit cargo shipments on territory of Latvia and in directions to Estonia and Belarus.