The Port of Riga has officially launched a strategic partnership to import liquefied propane gas (LPG) directly from the United States. This new transatlantic route follows the completion of a EUR 10 million modernisation project at the terminal operated by SIA Latvijas Propāna Gaze.
Entering operation in January 2026, the upgraded facility is now the only terminal of its kind in the Baltic states capable of receiving large transatlantic LPG tankers.
To mark the inauguration of these regular US supplies, the Cerro Alto Explorer arrived on February 28, carrying 20,000 tonnes of LPG. Previously, the berth was restricted to smaller coastal vessels with a maximum capacity of 3,000 tonnes.
To accommodate massive transatlantic shipments, the terminal underwent heavy infrastructure investments. Key upgrades include:
- Deep-Water Connectivity: A new 780-meter gas pipeline connects the deep-water pier directly to the terminal.
- Temperature Control: A specialized reheating technology complex brings the LPG from its transport temperature of -43°C up to ambient temperature during unloading.
- Safety Protocols: A multi-level autonomous safety system has been integrated directly into the unloading infrastructure.
This development transforms Riga into a primary energy hub for the region. The terminal’s railway infrastructure has been expanded to better serve the Latvian domestic market, as well as Lithuania and Estonia. Over the road, the facility currently dispatches an average of 110 trucks per day, delivering LPG to Poland, Ukraine, Lithuania, and Estonia.
For maritime distribution, the facility now supports ship-to-ship transfer operations. This allows LPG to be reloaded directly from large transatlantic vessels onto smaller coastal ships for onward delivery to Finland and Scandinavia.