In 2025, cargo volumes at the Port of Klaipeda continued to rise consistently, with several cargo segments reaching all-time highs. Particularly strong results were recorded in container cargo, ro-ro traffic, liquefied natural gas (LNG), oil products, minerals, and construction materials. Passenger traffic also reached new heights, with hundreds of thousands of people choosing sea routes through the Port of Klaipeda to discover Lithuania and travel abroad.
“2025 was truly a successful year for the Port of Klaipeda – we handled 39 million tonnes of cargo. But when we talk about cargo volumes, we also talk about everything that supports them: investments, port security, technological progress, and environmental solutions. All of these areas received significant attention. Seven new records show that the port is actively looking for new opportunities to grow. Despite the geopolitical situation and sanctions, cargo volumes are increasing and the port is operating strongly,” says Algis Latakas, Director General of the Klaipeda State Seaport Authority.
The most notable growth last year was recorded in container handling. Almost 13 million tonnes of containerized cargo were handled in total – 29% more than in 2024, when container volumes stood at 10.0 million tonnes.
The milestone of 1 million TEU was reached earlier than ever before – in early October 2025. In 2024, this threshold was reached in mid-December, while in 2023 and 2022 it was achieved only days before the year-end holidays. By the end of the year, a total of 1,308,687 TEU were handled, surpassing the previous record set in 2024 (1,068,771 TEU) by 22%. In terms of tonnage, container handling also reached a new record, exceeding the previous peak of 10.5 million tonnes recorded in 2022.
Ro-ro cargo remained an important part of the port’s overall throughput, growing by 6% compared to 2024 and reaching 6.5 million tonnes. Another record was set in terms of the number of vehicles transported by ferries. In 2025, 353,759 vehicles were handled at the Port of Klaipeda – nearly 10,500 more than the previous record set in 2021. Growth in this segment was driven by ferry operators’ decisions, including TT-Line’s launch of direct weekend services between Travemünde and Klaipeda and an agreement with DFDS that increased service frequency on the Klaipeda–Karlshamn route and added new connections to Trelleborg and Travemünde.
Compared to 2024, LNG cargo volumes increased by 19% last year, reaching 2.4 million tonnes. The difference between 2024 and 2025 results was partly due to the FSRU Independence being out of operation for scheduled maintenance for one month in 2024. Nevertheless, growth is also evident when comparing results with 2023, which previously held the LNG handling record of 2.35 million tonnes.
The growth in construction materials and mineral cargo reflects the port’s role as a key pillar supporting large-scale national infrastructure and construction projects. In 2025, 2.1 million tonnes of these cargoes were handled – a new record, exceeding the 2024 result by 3% or 61,000 tonnes.
In total, 415,000 passengers arrived at or departed from Lithuania via the Port of Klaipeda last year. This shows that people travelled by sea more actively in 2025 than a year earlier, when passenger numbers stood at 381,000. Passenger traffic reached its highest level in more than five years, surpassing the 2019 result of 392,000 passengers. Cruise traffic also stood out: 76,620 cruise passengers arrived in Lithuania by sea in 2025 aboard 59 cruise ships – 19% more than in 2024 and the highest number in the history of cruise shipping at the Port of Klaipeda.
While dominant cargo segments continued to grow, some categories saw a decline. In 2025, 606,000 tonnes of timber and forestry products were handled – 136,000 tonnes less than in 2024. Scrap metal volumes also fell by 11% to 1.2 million tonnes, compared to 1.4 million tonnes the previous year. This decline is linked to U.S. customs policies and reduced demand in Turkey.
Grain handling reflected the challenges of last year’s grain season. A total of 3.9 million tonnes of grain were handled, which is 7% less than in 2024. Grain exports through the port depend on harvest volumes and domestic consumption. Lithuania’s annual grain harvest ranges between 6 and 7 million tonnes, with around 70–80% exported.
Despite higher cargo volumes, the number of vessel calls decreased by 3%. In 2025, 5,313 vessels called at the port – 166 fewer than the year before. Growing cargo volumes combined with fewer vessel calls highlight the benefits of continuous infrastructure development, allowing the port to handle larger, more efficient vessels with lower environmental impact.
The port also played an important role in local transport. Ferries connecting the Curonian Spit with mainland Klaipeda carried 2.9 million passengers and 358,400 vehicles (one-way) in 2025.
The Port of Klaipeda strengthens its leadership in the Baltic States
Strong cargo growth further reinforced the Port of Klaipeda’s leading position among Baltic ports. In 2025, none of the other Baltic ports achieved double-digit growth, while Riga and Liepaja continued to face declining volumes. Riga ended the year with a 7% drop, handling 16.8 million tonnes. Liepaja handled 6.9 million tonnes, down 3% year-on-year. Tallinn and Ventspils recorded growth of 5% and 4% respectively, handling 13.8 million and 8.5 million tonnes.
In container handling, Klaipeda’s dominant position is even more evident. None of the Latvian or Estonian ports reached half a million TEU in 2025, and with the exception of Liepaja, all recorded declining container volumes.
By reaching 39 million tonnes of cargo, the Port of Klaipeda also increased its market share to 41.4%, up from 39% a year earlier. Klaipeda is followed by Riga (17.8%), Tallinn (14.6%), the Butinge oil terminal in Lithuania (9.9%), Ventspils (9.1%), and Liepaja (7.3%).