“Although the mood of economic uncertainty prevailed at the beginning of 2023, the Lithuanian transport and logistics sector remained competitive. This was mostly influenced by the increased flows of both international and domestic road freight. At the same time, we noticed that increasingly more residents are travelling by public transport and railways, Lithuanian aviation sector is aiming for new heights as well”, said Natalija Baranauskienė, Analyst at the Ministry of Transport and Communications and Senior Advisor of the International Cooperation Group.
According to preliminary data, during the first three quarters of 2023, the export of Lithuanian transport services reached 6.83 billion euros. Investments in the sector increased by almost a third, i.e., up to 1.62 billion euros.
Comparing 2023 results vs 2022, goods transportation by various types of transport increased by 11 per cent (up to 156 million tonnes), of which 20 per cent (120 million tonnes) by road. Last year, 12 per cent less (27.2 million tonnes) goods were transported by rail, by sea transport – 11 per cent less (6.47 million tonnes), via Lithuanian airports – 6 per cent less (20.1 thousand tonnes), and by inland water transport – 3.3 per cent more (1.47 million tonnes). One of the most important last year’s projects – the modernisation of the Nemunas shipping route – was completed at the end of the summer 2023.
Due to the war in Ukraine caused by Russia and the sanctions that came into force on various cargo transports from the East, rail freight volumes have been declining not only in Lithuania, but also in Latvia and Estonia, where 26 per cent and 31 per cent less goods respectively were transported by rail.
Last year, the volume of cargo handling of Klaipėda Seaport amounted to 32.7 million tonnes (9 per cent less than in 2022). The total Latvian ports cargo turnover in 2023 was about 21 per cent, in Estonian ports – about 29 per cent less than in 2022.
For the second consecutive year, the results of the Klaipėda Seaport were improved by the container handling – last year more than 1.05 million TEU (standardised container units) were loaded in Klaipėda. According to this indicator, the Klaipėda Seaport maintains the leading position among the ports of the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea.
In an effort to increase the competitiveness of the Klaipėda Seaport, new markets and opportunities for business diversification are actively sought, investments are attracted, and the infrastructure of the port is modernised and expanded. Last year, the Klaipėda Seaport invested about 98 million euros: the harbour channel was deepened to 15.5 metres, more than one kilometre of quays was reconstructed, and other works were carried out. Throughout 2024–2027, investments of 234 million euros are planned for the development of the infrastructure of the Klaipėda Port.
In 2023, Lithuania was connected with the world via 95 air routes. Last year, Vilnius Airport offered a total of 57 routes, Kaunas – 32, Palanga – 6. Various available investment mechanisms and incentives are planned to open the opportunities to further improve accessibility in 2024, and growing activities of traditional airline companies will increase the frequency of flights to key aviation centres and capitals in Europe. Airlines have already announced the routes to Dubai, Lisbon and Hamburg that will be launched this year. Lithuanian airports continue to negotiate intensively with air carriers regarding other directions relevant for business and tourism.
In Lithuania, last year, more than 6 million passengers flew by plane – 12 per cent more than in 2022; 321 million passengers (+6.9 per cent) were transported by buses and trolleybuses, by railways – 5.04 million (+7.5 per cent), and by inland waters – 2.8 million (-0.9 per cent).
International train routes have also attracted great interest: the new Vilnius-Riga railway route at the end of 2023 alone has attracted around 1.3 thousand passengers, and approximately 38 thousand passengers travelled between Vilnius, Warsaw and Krakow.
Prepared according to the information from the State Data Agency, Bank of Lithuania, Lietuvos Geležinkeliai AB, Klaipėda State Seaport Authority and Lithuanian Airports.
