The Klaipeda port authority said that it had ordered technical reconstruction project for embankments 1 and 2. Constructed nearly 50 years ago, the embankments used by Klaipedos Nafta would be 17 m deep after the reconstruction, making it possible for the terminal to serve three tankers at a time instead from the current two.
"One of our main tasks for the nearest future is to reconstruct the entrance channel and deepen it to 17 m. Our objective is to enable Klaipedos Nafta to reach maximum depths and draughts," said Arvydas Vaitkus, the port's CEO.
In his words, Klaipedos Nafta currently cannot load tankers to the full, so they have to proceed to neighboring ports from Klaipeda.
Klaipedos Nafta's CEO Mantas Bartuska emphasized that the company would now gain an advantage over terminals of other Baltic ports and be able to raise product loading volumes.
The first phase of embankment reconstruction should be started next year.
Klaipedos Nafta handled 4.977 mln tons of oil products in January-July period of this year, up by 28.3% year-on-year. Indre Miliniene, spokeswoman for the company, told that the company serves 15-20 tankers a month.
The company intends to invest 49.5 mln euros in the oil terminal expansion, planning to build 12 new containers for refined oil products, a new unloading trestle and build a railway.
