Economics Ministry plans to replace its representatives in ports of Riga and Ventspils

RIGA - The Economics Ministry is planning to replace its representatives on the boards of the ports of Riga and Ventspils, according to decrees drafted by the Economics Ministry.

The Economics Ministry plans to appoint Sandis Steins, the current supervisory board chairman of Pasazieru vilciens rail company and board member of Kool Latvija fuel retailer, to the Board of the Freeport of Riga, and Arturs Zandersons, the economics minister's adviser, to the Board of the Freeport of Ventspils. 

According to the ministry's draft decrees, Gints Sivins would be recalled from the Board of the Freeport of Riga and Andis Zarins from the Board of the Freeport of Ventspils.

The draft decrees were drawn up in accordance with Economics Minister Viktors Valainis' decision to replace the ministry's representatives in both ports. In the light of Valainis' decision, tenders were announced to select new board members for the freeports of Riga and Ventspils. 

A panel made up of representatives of the Economics Ministry, the Latvian Employers Confederation and the Latvian Stevedoring Company Association nominated Steins and Zandersons as the best candidates for the ports' board members.

As reported that Sivins has been a member of the Freeport of Riga Board since 2021. He was appointed Chairman of the Freeport of Riga Board in July 2023. Zarins has been a board member of Ventspils Port since March 2023.

Currently, the Freeport of Riga Board also includes the Vice-Chairman Edgars Stelmahers, delegated by the Environmental Protection and Regional Development Ministry, and board members Baiba Bane (Finance Ministry) and Liene Priedite-Kancevica (Transport Ministry).

The Chairman of the Board of the Port of Ventspils is Inguna Strautmane (Transport Ministry), Girts Valdis Kristovskis (Finance Ministry) is Vice Chairman, and Laila Spalina (Environmental Protection and Regional Development Ministry) is a Member of the Board.

Riga is the largest port in Latvia by cargo turnover, while Ventspils is the second largest port.