Klaipėda Port is set to enhance its infrastructure and advance green hydrogen projects, aiming to establish itself as a leading center for port services and clean energy.
The port plans to invest €308 million ($322 million) in modernization and renewable energy initiatives over the next four years.
Klaipėda Port is Lithuania’s primary port and the second largest in the Baltic Sea by tonnage. Its strategic location makes it highly convenient for transporting goods from Eastern Europe or the Middle East to the West.
The port maintains trade relations with 70 countries, connecting with major ports from both the Western and Eastern worlds. Additionally, some goods arrive by train from distant locations such as Mongolia and China.
Contributing about 6% to Lithuania’s GDP, or around EUR 4 billion annually, the port continued to grow even amid challenges faced by neighboring ports due to the war in Ukraine.
In 2024, it set a record by handling 1,068,771 TEUs, a 2% increase from the previous year, and processed 35.5 million tonnes of cargo, achieving an 8% growth and a 39% market share among Baltic ports.
Klaipėda Port’s success is attributed to its diversification of imported and exported goods and its ability to serve Lithuania and neighboring countries like Latvia, Poland, and Ukraine for grain exports.
Investments in infrastructure and clean energy
The port is investing in infrastructure upgrades and green hydrogen initiatives to become an innovative hub for port services and clean energy. Over the next four years, it plans to invest €308 million ($322 million) in modernization and renewable energy projects.
Port Technology International reports a new influx of funding aimed at modernizing port quays, renewing railway lines, dredging the shipping channel, and developing infrastructure for offshore wind energy projects on the Smeltė Peninsula. This funding includes support for the assembly, transport, and storage of wind turbines, with the site being adapted for high loads (40 t/m²) and deeper dredging.
Additionally, the country is investing in three new vessels: two hybrid pilot boats and the first green hydrogen-powered waste collection ship, as well as modernizing the fleet base.
The Port Authority will establish the Baltic States’ first green hydrogen production project, expected to be completed next year, to power the waste collection ship and support public transport and vehicle refueling.
Lastly, the port is enhancing inland waterway transport to connect with the Jurbarkas District Municipality, which plans to build a new port in 2025.
“Today, the Klaipėda Port is building its future – progressive and sustainable. Our vision is to become an innovative hub for port services, the maritime industry, and green energy – one that not only adapts to global changes but also shapes them,” said Algis Latakas, Director General of Klaipėda Port Authority.
Latakas hails the investment in innovation and sustainable development as an integral part of the port’s identity.
According to Arup, ports are evolving into crucial hubs for green energy. Traditionally, ports have played a significant role in the energy sector, with approximately one-third of shipping linked to the transportation and trade of fossil fuels.
However, this role is changing as ports emerge as essential enablers of the energy transition. They support the deployment of offshore wind energy, facilitate the trade of sustainable fuels, and increasingly serve as multimodal hubs for electrified transport, all while continuing to handle nearly 90% of goods transported globally.
By taking on these responsibilities, ports of all sizes have the potential to contribute significantly to the journey towards net-zero emissions. This net-zero emissions effort goes beyond managing their emissions; they are positioned as green energy hubs supporting the transition to secure, sustainable, cost-effective power systems.
Ports are increasingly preferred sites for the manufacturing, assembling, and installing offshore wind components. Large ports store and preassemble turbine parts before loading them onto installation vessels. Additionally, these ports are likely to become vital bases for operations and will necessitate the expansion of existing ports and, in some cases, the development of new greenfield ports.
As natural intermodal transportation centers where ships, roads, and railways intersect, ports can serve as hubs for electrification. In addition to generating renewable energy, they will increasingly become the source and transporter of it within their borders and overseas.
Klaipėda Port is solidifying its role in the global logistics and maritime industries, driven by its strategic location, growth, and commitment to sustainability. With a strong track record of handling increasing cargo volumes, the port’s future looks promising.
Investments in infrastructure, green hydrogen production, and renewable energy are positioning Klaipėda Port as a leader in sustainable maritime innovation. As it modernizes and focuses on clean energy, the port aims to become a hub for maritime services and green technologies.
Sources:
Rahman, S. (2025, March 3). Klaipėda Port put €308 million towards infrastructure. Port Technology International. Retrieved from https://www.porttechnology.org/news/klaipeda-port-put-e308-million-towards-infrastructure/
Rahman, S. (2025, January 30). Klaipėda Port hits 1 million TEUs for 2024. Port Technology International. Retrieved from https://www.porttechnology.org/news/klaipeda-port-hits-1-million-teus-for-2024/
Kalinauskas, A. (2023, November 8). Klaipeda Port – A Rapidly Growing Baltic Sea Hub. 3 Seas Europe. Retrieved from https://3seaseurope.com/klaipeda-port-rapidly-growing-baltic-sea-hub/
Bolton, C., & Patrinos, T. (2024, November). Why ports have a future as green energy hubs. ARUP. Retrieved from https://www.arup.com/insights/article-why-ports-have-a-future-as-green-energy-hubs/
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