KLASCO results reflecting the influence on the market

AB Klaipėda Stevedoring Company (KLASCO), the largest stevedoring company at the Port of Klaipėda reached the revenue of EUR 44.66 million last year (EUR 46.64 million in 2018) and earned the net profit of EUR 1.8 million (EUR 2.2 million in 2018). In 2019, the Company handled the amount of cargo similar to that in 2018 – 12.4 million tonnes. It amounts to 28 per cent of the market at the Port of Klaipėda.

“Although the economic indicators show that we are working with a certain degree of stability, the situation is a matter of concern for us as well, as we have not achieved all the goals we have set for ourselves. This was due to various circumstances in the market: the economic relations between Lithuania and the neighbouring countries and the development of trade throughout Europe, as well as missed opportunities for internal efficiency. In 2019, the structure of cargo from Russia and Belarus changed: due to the imposed sanctions and other reasons, we lost a share of profitable cargo, which had to be replaced with cargo that offered a smaller yield,” the CEO of KLASCO Vytautas Štumbergas said in his comment on the Company’s performance in 2019.

The stability of KLASCO’s operations has had a positive effect on the port’s results and the state budget for many years. Last year alone, the Company paid EUR 6.5 million in taxes. The state also benefits greatly form the fees for ships arriving at KLASCO’s berths. Last year, the Company loaded and unloaded almost the same number of ships as in 2018 – 2,857 (2,892 in 2018), which is more than 40 percent of the total of 6,776 ships that arrived at the Port of Klaipėda in 2019.

In 2018–2019, KLASCO invested more than EUR 1 million in environmental measures and equipment. New engineering rainwater collection networks were installed at berths 10–11 (which were also renovated last year), treatment facilities were built, open storage sites installed, and wheeled loading equipment renewed. Enclosed conveyors for loading iron ore raw material were purchased and a monitoring system for measuring the temperature of the production process was installed in grain terminals to ensure safe loading. The Company is constantly investing in new technologies and equipment that reduce both air and rainwater pollution. Last year, KLASCO’s Towage Assistance branch also contributed to the updating of the Vessel Traffic Management Information System (LUVIS) at the National Port of Klaipėda and transferred the execution and documentation of services to customers into cyberspace.

KLASCO is the largest stevedoring company at the Port of Klaipėda operating in five specialised terminals (bulk and liquid fertilizers, grain, general cargo and ro-ro), providing port tugboat services. Last year, the Company had 621 employees.

KLASCO and its staff is an active member of the city’s community, constantly contributing to the community’s initiatives for the benefit of the society, supporting the Sea Festival, Jazz Festival, sailing regatta and other cultural events. KLASCO regularly organises meetings with the local association Vitės Bendruomenė and lends financial support to its activities. Last year, the Company prepared the technical design of the Vitės Progymnasium’s stadium at its own expense.