The Latvian stevedore Jaunzeltiņi and the Icelandic manufacturer of timber pallets Tandrabretti ehf have partnered to ship sawn timber from Latvia and Belarus through the Port of Riga.
First regular shipments to Iceland are planned during the active fishing season from July to October, as sawn timber is primarily used to produce packaging for fish products (a 1,700 m3-big test shipment was sent in June to the Port of Neskaupstadur).
However, the parties are looking into providing a regular service, so that not only sawn timber, but also Latvian food products could be exported to Iceland in the future.
"Icelandic reefer vessels provide regular deliveries of fish to the ports on the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea during the active fishing season. In order for the ships to return to Iceland with cargo, we have created an opportunity to use this route in the opposite direction as well, namely, by loading Latvian timber on board and delivering it by sea to Iceland. Thus, we can create a regular and cost-effective opportunity for Latvian sawn timber exporters to deliver their export products to buyers in Iceland, while the Icelandic side has the opportunity to regularly receive the raw materials needed for packaging production at affordable prices during the fishing season," Artūrs Veispāls, Jaunzeltiņi's Board Chairman, explained.
Photo: Port of Riga