Author and contact person
Rune O. Methi
Project Director
+47 91 84 07 12
rune.methi@east-cci.no
Compared to Estonia the Lithuanian merchant fleet is considerable smaller with about 100 ships registered.
On the other hand the shipbuilding industry is much larger and this variation is mainly due to differences in the cost level. Latvia and Lithuania have a comparatively cheaper labor force, and the labor-intensive shipyard industry therefore has a cost advantage in these countries.
Klaipeda State Seaport is the northernmost ice–free port on the Eastern coast of the Baltic Sea. 14 big stevedoring companies, ship repair and ship building yards operate within the port as well as all types of marine business and cargo handling services. The annual port cargo handling capacity is over 65 million tons. The port can accommodate vessels up to 350 m in length, up to 52 m. in width and with a maximum draught of 13.8 m. 40.13 million tons of cargo were handled in Klaipėda State Seaport and the importance of Klaipėda State Seaport to the State is hard to overestimate:
58 thou. induced jobs
4.5 % of all employees in Lithuania
6.24 % GDP created in Lithuania
The maritime transport cluster is made up of the Lithuanian maritime merchant fleet, Klaipėda State Seaport, Šventoji State Seaport and the Būtingė Oil Terminal (AB ORLEN Lietuva), and companies and agencies which provide shipping agent services, freight forwarding, ship supply, towage and other services.
Maritime economy is a strong driving force of the wider economy, With this goal, the Lithuanian Maritime Cluster has been founded on June 30. The cluster has been founded with the goal of becoming a platform for the production of high added-value services and products, innovation, cooperation between the education and business sectors.
The immediate plans of the Lithuanian Maritime Cluster involve organizing tech training, active participation in the Blue Growth Leaders Academy, which will start in September at the Klaipeda University. This project will connect internationally acclaimed lectors and offer the opportunity for business leaders, professionals from various sectors, and gifted students to gain some valuable knowledge concerning the blue economy.
The European Investment Bank (EIB) and Klaipėda State Seaport Authority have signed a €65 million loan agreement for the development of Klaipėda seaport in Lithuania. Klaipėda is the main port connection in Lithuania, part of the TEN-T North Sea-Baltic corridor, and one of the largest port complexes in the Baltic Sea.The key purpose of the project is for the seaport to be able to accommodate larger vessels and therefore lead to greater productivity. The transport hub will be for a variety of goods and cargo. As part of the EIB’s new transport lending policy, decarbonisation of ports as well as climate action and environmental sustainability are priorities for the EIB.The Lithuanian maritime industry is focused on promoting sustainable and environmentally friendly practices and is taking steps to transition to a more sustainable and green future. Here are some examples of green ship thinking, green transition, research, and development initiatives in the Lithuanian maritime industry:
Overall, Lithuania is taking a proactive approach to promoting sustainable and green practices in its maritime industry, with a focus on renewable energy, research and development, and education. These initiatives are part of Lithuania’s broader green transition strategy, which aims to reduce emissions and promote sustainability across all sectors of the economy.
Green Ship Thinking: Lithuania is promoting a “Green Ship Thinking” approach in its maritime industry, which emphasizes the use of eco-friendly technologies and practices in shipping. This includes the use of low-emission fuels, energy-efficient designs, and renewable energy sources.
Renewable Energy: Lithuania is investing in renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power to provide energy for port operations. The country is also exploring the use of waves and tidal power as a potential energy source for shipping.
Research and Development: Lithuania has a strong focus on research and development in the maritime industry. The country has established the Klaipeda Science and Technology Park, which is focused on promoting innovation and the development of new technologies and solutions for sustainable shipping.
Port Infrastructure: Lithuania is investing in sustainable port infrastructure, with a focus on reducing emissions and improving energy efficiency. The Port of Klaipeda, for example, has implemented a cold ironing system, which allows ships to shut off their engines and connect to the port’s electrical grid while docked.
Education: Lithuania has several universities and educational institutions that offer courses and programs related to the maritime industry, including those focused on sustainability and green shipping. These programs aim to prepare students for careers in the maritime industry and to promote innovation and sustainability in the sector.
