From Crisis to Resilience: The Port of Klaipeda and the Reshaping of Baltic Trade Flows (2014-2023)

ABSTRACT: Geopolitical tensions on the European Union's eastern borders are profoundly reshaping trade flows and logistics chain organization. Through the study of the port of Klaipeda (Lithuania), this article analyses the impact of successive crises (Russian-Ukrainian conflict since 2014, tensions with Belarus in 2020-2021, war in Ukraine since 2022) on the activity of a major port in the eastern Baltic. Based on quantitative traffic data (2010-2023), AIS data and interviews with port stakeholders, this research highlights a triple dynamic: the disruption of traditional East-West flows, particularly for hydrocarbons and fertilizers; the emergence of new North-South trade routes; and the accelerated diversification of port activities. The results demonstrate the port's adaptation capacity to geopolitical shocks while emphasizing its structural vulnerability in an unstable regional context. This study contributes to understanding the interactions between geopolitics and port geography in European border areas.

KEYWORDS: Cargo Handling, Maritime Transport, Baltic Sea, Port Development, Container Traffic, Logistics Chain, Geopolitics, Energy Security

REFERENCES

Argyropoulou N., “Port of Klaipėda (Lithuania): port facilities and financial analysis”, Master Thesis, University of Aegean, 2022.

Bagočius V., Zavadskas K. E., Turskis Z., “Multi-criteria selection of a deep-water port in Klaipeda”. Procedia Engineering, 57, pp. 144-148, 2013. - doi:10.1016/j.proeng.2013.04.021

Bartosiewicz A., Kucharski A., Miszczyński P., “Efficiency of maritime container terminals in the Baltic Sea region using data envelopment analysis slack-based model”, Research in Transportation Business & Management, Volume 56, 101166, 2024. - doi:10.1016/j.rtbm.2024.101166

Bartosiewicz A., Kucharski A., “Indicators of port sustainability: The example of Baltic Sea container ports”, Sustainable Development, 32(3), pp. 2371-2384, 2023. - doi:10.1002/sd.2783

Brodin A., “Baltic Sea ports and russian foreign trade – Studies in the economic and political geography on transition”, PhD in Geography, Department of Human and Economic Geography, University of Göteborg, 372 p., 2003.

Fernandes G., Teixeira P., Santos T-A., “The impact of the Ukraine conflict in internal and external grain transport costs”, Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives, Volume 19, 2023. - doi:10.1016/j.trip.2023.100803

Keribiriou R., Serry A., “Estimation and analysis of container handling rates in European ports”, Journal of Transport Geography, 103565. - doi:10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2023.103565

Kuźmiński, W., “The Analysis And Forecasting Of The Development Of Polish Seaports After Russia's Aggression Against Ukraine (On The Example Of The Port Complex Of Szczecin And Swinoujscie)”, Procedia Computer Science, 225, 3183-3192, 2023. - doi:10.1016/j.procs.2023.10.312

Liebuvienė J., Čižiūnienė K., “Comparative Analysis of Ports on the Eastern Baltic Sea Coast”. Logistics, 6(1), 2021. - doi:10.3390/logistics6010001

M. Matczak, N.K. Meyer, E. Ooms, M. Vološina, H. Warmelink, J. Zaucha, E. Czermański, C. Coornaert, A. Koch, “Quo Vadis. Exploring the future of shipping in the Baltic Sea”, Baltic LINes [11] Project Report, 2018, https://vasab.org/wpcontent/uploads/2018/08/20180730_FutureShippingQuo Vadis.pdf.

Ojala L., “Maritime transport in the Baltic Sea in 2016”, BSR Policy Briefing 1/2016, pp. 38-50, 2016.

Rapalis P, Šilas G, Žaglinskis J., “Ship Air Pollution Estimation by AIS Data: Case Port of Klaipeda”, Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, 10(12):1950, 2022. - doi:10.3390/jmse10121950

Savchuk, I., “Ukrainian Danube ports: the positive impact of war”, Géotransports, (21), pp. 71-84, 2024.

Serry A., Daudet B., Alix Y., “Comment les ports de la mer Baltique s’adaptent à la nouvelle donne géopolitique”, The Conversation, https://theconversation.com/comment-les-ports-de-la-mer-baltique-sadaptent-a-la-nouvelle-donne-geopolitique-201609, 2023.

Serry A., “Containerisation in the Baltic Sea region: development, characteristics and contemporary organization”, European Spatial Research and Policy, 26(1), pp. 9-25, 2019. - doi:10.18778/1231-1952.26.1.01

Serry A., “Development of liquefied natural gas facilities in the Baltic Sea ports: a Geographical Perspective”, Regional Formation and Development Studies, No. 3 (23), pp. 141-151, 2017. - doi:10.15181/rfds.v23i3.1591

Serry A., Gritsenko D., “A Geographical Perspective on Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) Facility Development in the Eastern Baltic Sea”, in Transnav Conference, Gdynia, 17-19 june 2015. - doi:10.1201/b18515-24

Urbanyi-Popiołek I., “Development of the Ferry and Ro-Ro Industry in an Uncertain Environment”, European Research Studies Journal, Volume XXVI, Issue 4, pp. 855-864, 2023. - doi:10.35808/ersj/3332

Volovoj V. & al., “Ports of Eastern Baltic and Russian transit policy: competition and cooperation”. Baltic Region, vol. 13, no 3, pp. 125-148, 2021. - doi:10.5922/2079-8555-2021-3-7

Wolff J., Herz N., Flamig H., “Report on Empty Container Management in the Baltic Sea Region: Experiences and Solutions from a Multi-actor Perspective”, Hamburg University of Technology, The Baltic Sea Region Programme 2007-2013, 2011.

Citation note:

Serry A.: From Crisis to Resilience: The Port of Klaipeda and the Reshaping of Baltic Trade Flows (2014-2023). TransNav, the International Journal on Marine Navigation and Safety of Sea Transportation, Vol. 19, No. 1, doi:10.12716/1001.19.01.16, pp. 135-142, 2025

BibTeX EndNote

Authors in other databases:

Arnaud Serry: ORCID iD icon

orcid.org/0000-0003-2728-5045 Scopus icon

36712586800

Other publications of authors:

Polish Container Ports, New Baltic Hubs?

Journal Vol. 17 No. 2 - June 2023

A. Serry

File downloaded 32 times