A joint digitization project involving Latvia’s largest ports has been completed, resulting in a unified digital platform for the ports of Riga, Ventspils, and Liepāja. Designed to streamline operations and enhance customer service, this shared platform will improve collaboration, accelerate information flow, and reduce manual data entry, establishing a robust technological foundation for the future development of Latvia’s maritime sector.

The project was implemented by the Freeport of Riga Authority in cooperation with the Freeport of Ventspils Authority, the Liepāja Special Economic Zone Authority, and several government agencies. Supported by the European Union’s Recovery Fund, this is the most ambitious digitization project in the history of Latvia’s ports. By jointly developing and implementing unified digital solutions, the three largest ports avoided duplicating efforts and building separate, parallel systems. This approach ensures a more efficient use of public funding, reduces ongoing maintenance costs, and establishes a shared technological ecosystem for future joint development. 

As part of the project, a comprehensive Port and Multimodal Logistics Services Platform was created, providing several mutually integrated solutions. Port clients – including ship agents, shipping lines, terminals, and other service providers – can now access real-time information in a single location. The platform centralizes data on vessel calls, berths, port services, permits, passes, contracts, and payments. Additionally, it features a unified communication environment with port authorities, live vessel tracking, and interactive digital maps displaying port infrastructure.

At the same time, the ports themselves and relevant government agencies will reap significant benefits. For port Vessel Traffic Services (VTS), the new solutions provide a unified overview of vessel movements and port operations, reducing the volume of manually processed information and improving coordination among port services, pilots, tugboat operators, and ship agents. Meanwhile, the State Border Guard will gain access to a more comprehensive and real-time overview of vessel movements and port-issued permits .

Another significant outcome of the project is the creation of a shared digital environment for the entire port community – including port authorities, terminals, shipping lines, ship agents, service providers, and government agencies. This platform establishes the foundation for the further digitization of cargo planning, logistics processes, and data exchange, enabling the development of new services and integration solutions based on the “enter once, use everywhere” principle.

The developed platform includes the Port Community System (PCS), the Port Information System (OIS), a geographic information solution, an access control system, a data analytics solution, and a data exchange solution that ensures integration with the Latvian Maritime Administration, VAS “Latvian Railways”, SKLOIS, and other state and port information systems.

The project was implemented from December 2024 to August 2026. Funding in the amount of 3.24 million euros was provided by the European Union’s Recovery Fund, and the project was implemented in cooperation with the ports of Riga, Ventspils, and Liepāja, as well as the State Agency “Latvian Maritime Administration,” the State Joint Stock Company “Latvijas dzelzceļš,” the Ministry of Transport, the Coast Guard, the State Border Guard, and the SIA “Koksnes plūsmas datu centrs.”

The newly developed platform will serve as the foundation for the development of a unified digital ecosystem for Latvian ports, which in the future will enable ports to collaborate even more effectively, improve services for customers, and boost the competitiveness of Latvian ports within international transport and logistics corridors.