AMBASSADORS MAKE RETURN VISIT TO PORT OF IPSWICH AS TRADE WITH BALTIC EXPANDS
A trio of ambassadors representing the Baltic republics of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, made Associated British Ports’ (ABP’s) Port of Ipswich a focal point of their recent return visit to Suffolk. As part of their visit, their Excellencies Kaja Tael of Estonia, Jánis Dripe of Latvia and Aurimas Taurantas of Lithuania took to the River Orwell on a sightseeing trip aboard the river cruiser Orwell Lady.
Rob Smith, Port Manager of ABP Ipswich, later welcomed the ambassadors back to Old Custom House where, in June last year, they had met the port’s management and customers as guests of honour at a reception held in ABP’s Waterfront Conference Centre.
ABP Ipswich already has well-established trading links with the Baltic states, handling large volumes of forest products annually. It is expected that, with Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania’s recent accession to the European Union (EU), trading links between the port and the Baltic countries are set to grow even stronger.
“It was a pleasure to meet their Excellencies once again and to renew the acquaintances we forged last summer,” said Rob Smith.
“Trade between our countries dates back centuries, and Ipswich’s location favours trade with Europe and the Baltic states. This year, we have already witnessed rapid growth in Kursiu Linija’s weekly container service, which connects the port’s West Bank Terminal with Klaipeda in Lithuania and Riga in Latvia. Last year, we handled in excess of 250,000 cu m of Baltic timber. With the Baltic countries joining the EU, I have every expectation that we will see a further increase in import volumes of the forest products, as well as fertilisers, that we currently receive from these countries,” he added. |
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