Klaipeda, Lithuania

Port Overview

Klaipeda is Lithuania’s only seaport, located on the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea where the Curonian Lagoon meets the Neman River. As the largest port in Lithuania and one of the most significant in the Baltic region, it is ice-free year-round and serves as a key transit hub connecting Europe and Asia. Klaipeda ranks among the top Baltic container ports, with an annual capacity exceeding 1 million TEU. Its strategic position at major transport corridors enhances its importance for regional and international trade.

Facilities & Infrastructure

Klaipeda is Lithuania's only seaport, covering 558 hectares with 28 designated terminals and 24.7 km of berths. Major facilities include the Klaipeda Container Terminal handling 700,000 TEU annually, a modern Ro-Ro/Ro-Pax terminal with hydraulic ramps, bulk cargo terminals, and an oil terminal with storage tanks. The port operates specialized ship loading machines, three wagon unloading units capable of processing 700 mineral carriers daily, and automated terminal systems. It accommodates vessels up to 400m long with 13.8m draft, handling containers, automobiles, agricultural products, timber, and petroleum products.

Container Terminals

Klaipeda Container Terminal operates two specialized terminals with a combined capacity of 7.5 million tons annually, serving over 1,200 vessels per year. The port features reconstructed berths with drafts up to 13.5 meters, capable of receiving post-panamax vessels. Major operators include Klaipeda Container Terminal and Klaipedos Smelte, part of Terminal Investment Limited. The port handles approximately 1.3 million TEU projected for 2025. Equipment includes multiple ship-to-shore cranes and over 20 rubber-tired gantry cranes, with semi-automated operations featuring hybrid RTG technology.

Port Services

Main services at Klaipeda include:

Container Handling: Full containers (FCL) and consolidated freight (LCL).
Cargo Operations: Oversized cargo, dangerous goods, and perishable items.
Ship Services: Vessel agency, repair, and maintenance.
Warehousing: Storage facilities for various commodities.
Customs: Document clearance and customs services.

Global Connectivity

Klaipėda serves as Lithuania's primary maritime gateway, connecting the Baltic States to major European markets. Regular ferry services link the port to German destinations including Kiel, Travemünde, and Rostock, plus Swedish ports Karlshamn and Trelleborg. Major deepsea container lines including Maersk, MSC, CMA-CGM, and Hapag-Lloyd provide global connectivity. The port connects inland via railways and highways to Vilnius, Kaunas, and extends to Minsk, Kyiv, and Moscow, serving as a crucial transport corridor between Eastern Europe and Baltic markets.

Port Statistics

Klaipeda Port, Lithuania – Key Statistics (2025):

TEU Throughput: Projected 1.3 million TEU in 2025
World Ranking: Among the top Baltic container ports; not in the global top 50
Number of Berths: 33 terminals
Port Area: Approximately 557 hectares (land and water combined)
Shipping Lines: Serviced by major global carriers with connections to 56 countries, including direct routes to Europe, Asia, and North America