The Free Port of Ventspils Authority is taking part in implementation of the project „Development of Transport and Port Communication Systems (TransPort)” financed under the ERDF Latvia-Lithuania Cross-Border Cooperation Programme 2007-2013. The overall aim of the project is to promote the socio-economic development of Latvia-Lithuania border areas, to develop cross-border transport infrastructure through introduction of new solutions in the logistics of freight transportation and improvement of the quality of public transport and its accessibility.

Among other solutions for the cross-border transport system, the project anticipates development of communication systems in two major ports in Kurzeme region – Liepāja and Ventspils, as well as that of the Port of Klaipeda. The Port of Ventspils is going to have its navigation aids modernised through installing automatic identification system (AIS) devices on most distant navigation buoys warning vessels of dangerous shallow waters. With the help of the AIS, it will be easy to monitor a possible displacement of buoys or any damage to them, and to eliminate any of these misfunctions immediately. Also, there are plans to mount AIS on the hydrographic vessel „Kapteinis Orle” of Ventspils Free Port.

Equipping of harbour navigation aids with AIS was begun already in 2010 when all the three lighthouses held in the possession of Ventspils Free Port – lighthouses of Oviši, Užava and Akmeņrags – had the new system mounted onto them. The system helps to regulate navigation, to deal with problems related to marine environment protection in an up-to-date way, as well as to handle many other relevant issues, as the AIS provides all the necessary information concerning a vessel, its parameters, cargo etc.

In the meeting of the representatives of the project member ports, which was held this week in Ventspils, the coordinators informed the attendees about the achieved progress so far and the plans for the future. Zanda Megne, the project coordinator from Ventspils Free Port, informed that the AIS procurement procedure has ended with success, and at present the agreement for performance of the intended work activities is being prepared. The installation of the new systems is scheduled to be completed in autumn.

The project implementation period lasts from 1 October 2010 to 31 December 2011. The project is being implemented with ERDF co-financing within the framework of Latvia-Lithuania Cross-Border Cooperation Programme 2007-2013. The project partners on Latvian side are Kurzeme Planning Region (Lead Partner), Zemgale Planning Region, Latgale Planning Region, Saldus Municipality, the Port of Liepāja and Ventspils Free Port. Partners on Lithuanian side are Šiauliai Region Development Agency, Mažeikiai District Municipality and the Port of Klaipeda.