Ventspils port timber handling terminal Ventplac has significantly improved its technical capabilities, handling capacity and quality of work by adding a Finnish-made Mantsinen 120R crane to its technical equipment.
Ventplac, located in Ventspils, currently is the best equipped timber handling terminal in Latvia. Timber is the largest segment of the terminal's cargo, but this year it has also handled wood chips, rapeseed pellets and cereals; more than 400,000 tonnes in total in nine months. Contrary to the widespread public perception that timber is only exported from Latvia, Ventplac has imported around 40% of its timber shipments to Latvia this year for use by companies here in the production of their products. Timber is imported from Scandinavia.
Ventplac started from scratch in the mid-1990s, when timber exports took off, initially working on the almost dilapidated quays on the site of the current Noord Natie Ventspils Terminals.
At the beginning of 2014, Ventplac moved to the new dry cargo terminal at the Venta Bridge, built for the Ventspils Freeport Authority, gaining both berths and extensive loading areas.
By investing in both human training and modern equipment, including a new Mantsinen crane, Ventplac has become one of the leaders in its segment.