One of the business cards of Klaipeda is the port, founded in the 13th century near the fortress walls of Memel. Until now, it is an important and largest transport center in Lithuania. From here, all year round (the port never freezes), passenger and cargo ships depart to Europe, America and Asia.
The article provides some useful information about the seaport of Klaipeda in Lithuania: location, description, attractions, etc.
A Brief History of Klaipeda
It is the third largest city in Lithuania after Kaunas and Vilnius. It is located in the western part of the state, where the Baltic Sea passes into the Curonian Lagoon. According to archaeological finds and research, the city was inhabited by the Balts (ancestors of the Lithuanians) already in the first centuries of our era.
Klaipeda until 1525 was a city of knights of the Teutonic Order, and until 1923 it belonged to Germany, as evidenced by the current architectural appearance of the “Baltic pearl”.
The city was badly damaged after a large-scale fire that occurred in 1854 and during the Second World War. In total, about 60% of ancient buildings were destroyed, including ten temples. Today, only the remains of the fort (a 19th-century building) located on the Curonian Spit, and several castle bastions, as well as part of the castle in the Old Town (a 15th-19th century building) have been preserved in Klaipeda.
The linguistic and ethnic appearance of the city, by virtue of its history, has been and continues to be multinational. In addition to the Lithuanians, Russians also live in it.
Klaipeda port
Klaipeda is a port city. It is located on the east coast of the Baltic Sea. The port of Klaipeda is covered from the sea by a breakwater and two breakwaters, ensuring the safety of ships in the period of winds of any direction. Along the eastern coast of the strait and along the Dange River, there are 15 berths capable of receiving sea vessels with a draft of up to 9.5 meters.
Klaipeda port is located at the closest distance from the main industrial regions of the countries located in the eastern side of the port (Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and others). The main shipping lanes to the ports of Southeast Asia, Western Europe and the ports of America pass through the seaport.
Klaipeda is a deep-sea, universal port, where 17 major construction and repair companies operate, providing a full range of services related to cargo handling and shipping.
In the port you can feel the real atmosphere of the port city: a huge number of cargo towers and cranes, shipyards and terminals, ferries, many arriving and leaving ships of various sizes. The total area of the port is 415 ha. The population of the city is 160 thousand people.
Features
A modern GIS module (geographic information systems) has been introduced in the port of Klaipeda, which makes it possible to use a geographic database that simplifies the exchange of any information.
Klaipeda port is the leader of container transport among the ports of the Baltic countries. A novelty of the seaport is the Viking train, which contributes to the successful development of container transportation. It connects the markets of the regions of two seas: the Baltic and the Black (from Klaipeda through the cities of Minsk and Kiev to the Illichevsk and Odessa ports).
The port entrance channel has a depth of 15 meters and a water depth of 14.5 meters. The annual cargo turnover capacity of the port of Klaipeda reaches 40 million tons of various cargoes. The port is capable of accepting dry cargo vessels (deadweight up to 80 thousand tons) and tankers (deadweight up to 150 thousand tons). Klaipeda port continues to develop rapidly.
sights
Where the port of Klaipeda is located, there is something to see. Even during the usual walk along it in many places, sometimes in the most unexpected, there are interesting sculptures. For example, the "Black Ghost", as if getting out of the water (at the place where Memel Castle stood), or escorting the floating boat "Boy with a Dog".
In the city itself there are unique museums - maritime, blacksmithing and watches. There is also a beautiful art gallery. Numerous cafes and restaurants offer on their menu traditional dishes of European and Lithuanian cuisine, as well as excellent varieties of local beer.
Klaipeda is a popular seaside resort. There are three beaches on the northern territory of the city. They were awarded the "blue flag" (meet EU standards).
Finally
In summer, on the last July weekend, in the port city of Klaipeda, a cheerful and noisy holiday of the sea takes place. It is held annually, starting in 1934. The main character of the holiday is Neptune, sailing along the Dane River in an old ship. In addition, during this period cultural events are held, exhibitions and concerts are held, as well as fishery competitions and yacht races. Passes here and sailing regatta.