Since August this year, air draught restrictions at the Riga Passenger Terminal have been eliminated due to the removal of a power cable over the River Daugava. The larger cruiseships no longer have to be accommodated at the cargo terminals, explains Ilze Puzule, sales representative Riga Passenger Terminal (RPT).
This year the RPT handled 59 of the 63 calls to the city whereas in 2009 it handled only 48 of the 88 (69,413 passengers) total. The higher numbers are due to dredging and the RPT lowering its fees.
Dredging in 2009 increased the size of the vessel able to come alongside RPT from 180m length and 7.3m draught to 290m length and 8.2m draught. Dredging continues into next spring when it is hoped that vessels of 300m length and 8.5m draught can be accommodated, explains Ilza Puzule, sales representative RPT.
In 2011 eight ships are due to call RPT for the first time: Le Boreal, Grand Mistral, Costa Pacifica, Clipper Odyssey, Marina, Kristina Katarina, Artania and Oriana.
This year the 59 calls account for 49,674 passengers which compares with 48 calls and 22,337 passengers in 2009.
Quays available for cruiseships are MK-3 and MK-4 with a total length of 460m and maximum vessel draught allowed of 8.5m; and JPS-1 and JPS-2 with a total length of 390m and draught of 7.8m.
The former are dedicated to cruise-only and are just 10 minutes walk from the city centre while the latter are at the site of the RPT and closer to 20 minutes walk.
The port can handle about 5,000 passengers at one time.
