Port of Hamburg attends first German-Latvian Maritime Forum in Riga
THE first German-Latvian Maritime Forum has been held in the Latvian capital of Riga to bring together numerous representatives from the ports of Liepaja, Riga, Ventspils, Luebeck, Kiel and port of Hamburg Marketing (HHM).
The object was to strengthen trade and business ties, discuss issues affecting the Baltic's shipping industry, and serve as a platform for ports to exchange their experience.
The significance of transit traffic with Russia and other states has enabled Latvia's logistics sector to contribute around 10 per cent of GDP.
"For the Port of Hamburg and many of our member companies, Latvia is an important trading partner in the Baltic region," said HHM chief executive Axel Mattern.
"For Latvia, Port of Hamburg performs a hub function as a highly efficient hub port for seaborne foreign trade.
"Through the feeder services with Latvian ports, Hamburg with its dense network of liner services to all regions of the world offers superb opportunities for shipping cargo." he said.
A platform discussion assessed and discussed the repercussions of the existing trade restrictions caused by sanctions on the transport and logistics sector in the Baltic region, as well as the effects of the new Chinese 'One Belt, One Road" initiative.
"Against the background of trade sanctions in Russia, Latvia has developed remarkably steadily," said HHM Baltic and eastern Europe development chief Marina Basso Michael.
Luebecker Hafen-Gesellschaft port managing director Sebastian Juergens, addressed the importance of the ferry services between Luebeck and the Latvian ports.
"Luebeck is seen as the leading pooling centre for cargo flows between Germany and Latvia. Trade relations between the Baltic states and Russia offer immense potential. For us, the expansion of mutual relations is of great importance," said Dr Juergens.
"This joint forum offered a good opportunity to meet business partners from the ports of Ventspils and Liepaja and to discuss new joint projects. Among these were the further development of existing ferry services and joint schemes for hinterland services," he said.
THE first German-Latvian Maritime Forum has been held in the Latvian capital of Riga to bring together numerous representatives from the ports of Liepaja, Riga, Ventspils, Luebeck, Kiel and port of Hamburg Marketing (HHM).
The object was to strengthen trade and business ties, discuss issues affecting the Baltic's shipping industry, and serve as a platform for ports to exchange their experience.
The significance of transit traffic with Russia and other states has enabled Latvia's logistics sector to contribute around 10 per cent of GDP.
"For the Port of Hamburg and many of our member companies, Latvia is an important trading partner in the Baltic region," said HHM chief executive Axel Mattern.
"For Latvia, Port of Hamburg performs a hub function as a highly efficient hub port for seaborne foreign trade.
"Through the feeder services with Latvian ports, Hamburg with its dense network of liner services to all regions of the world offers superb opportunities for shipping cargo." he said.
A platform discussion assessed and discussed the repercussions of the existing trade restrictions caused by sanctions on the transport and logistics sector in the Baltic region, as well as the effects of the new Chinese 'One Belt, One Road" initiative.
"Against the background of trade sanctions in Russia, Latvia has developed remarkably steadily," said HHM Baltic and eastern Europe development chief Marina Basso Michael.
Luebecker Hafen-Gesellschaft port managing director Sebastian Juergens, addressed the importance of the ferry services between Luebeck and the Latvian ports.
"Luebeck is seen as the leading pooling centre for cargo flows between Germany and Latvia. Trade relations between the Baltic states and Russia offer immense potential. For us, the expansion of mutual relations is of great importance," said Dr Juergens.
"This joint forum offered a good opportunity to meet business partners from the ports of Ventspils and Liepaja and to discuss new joint projects. Among these were the further development of existing ferry services and joint schemes for hinterland services," he said.