History of seafaring in Latvia

Ancient sailing began to flourish during the Viking Age (800 – 1060). Swedish and Danish Vikings set out on their raids and trading operations from the Baltic Sea to the rivers Daugava and Dnepr reaching the Black Sea, and from there – Constantinople: “From the Varangians to the Greek”.

Until the 13th century ships in the Baltic Sea were 10-25 meters long, approximately 5 meters wide with a sea-gauge of 1-2 meters. They had a mast with a sail and used a steering oar.

The Latvian word for ship („kuģis”) also first appeared in the 13th century, stemming from the Germanic word „kugg”, meaning bent or curved.

During the reign of Duke Jacob in Courland (1642 – 1682) ships were being actively built and ports – upgraded. There were 6 shipyards in operation and 40 warships and 80 trading vessels were built altogether, 27 of which were sold to France and 6 – to Great Britain.

Krišjānis Valdemārs was born in the parish of Ārlava, on a farm „Vecjunkuri”.

First attempts to use iron ships with steam engines as sea transport. In 1832, a company called „Vērmanis & Son Iron Foundry, Engineering and Shipbuilding” was founded in Latvia. A company called „Lange & Son” became the largest manufacturer of iron ships in Latvia.

During this year more than 2000 ships entered port Riga, and 9 steamers and 37 sailing ships were registered there.

The first nautical school where studies were held in Latvian was opened in Ainaži. Soon afterwards 9 more such schools were founded (also called „Valdemāra schools” – democratic, no tuition fees, no bias). By the end of the century Latvia had more than 3000 certified sea captains and navigators. The craft of sailing was considered prestigious.

Soon after the turn of the century there were 40 steamers registered in Latvian ports. 24 of them in Riga, 9 – in Ventspils and 7 – in Liepāja. The most common destinations were Russia, Great Britain, Asia, Africa. There was a regular passenger line Liepāja – New York.

By the beginning of World War I, 333 ships were registered in Latvian ports (59 steamers, 274 sailing vessels and motorized sailing vessels). Unfortunately the war did not leave the sailing industry of Latvia unscathed.

The first ship to sail under the red, white and red flag of Latvia after the proclamation of the republic was steamer „Maiga”, the second such vessel was steamer „Saratov”, on which the provisional government of Latvia returned to Riga.

Shortly before World War II Latvian trading fleet consisted of 103 vessels – 89 steamers, 2 motor ships, 5 motorized sailing vessels and 7 sailing vessels. Fleet capacity per one hundred thousand population was slightly less than that of Great Britain or Norway, but larger than in France or Italy and considerably larger than in Spain or Portugal.

29 October 1940 is considered to be the company’s founding date, when the Latvian National Naval Shipping Company was established by USSR Council of People’s Commissars Decree No.2132. The company had 54 vessels, several ports including those in Riga, Liepāja, Ventspils and Sventāja, as well as dockyards. With the invasion of German military the shipping company was forced to cease all activities and when its functions were finally restored in 1944 it had only 8 ships left.

Restoration of the Latvian National Naval Shipping Company begins. Its first vessel is the tug „Cerība” (“hope”). Many ships are being renamed. „Everlonda” becomes „Jānis Rainis”, „Džonītis” becomes „Daugavpils”, „Džons” becomes „Partizāns” and „Leonīds” becomes „Sarkanarmietis”.

J. Avots takes office as director of Latvian Shipping Company. That is when a serious restoration of the fleet really sets in – the first newly commissioned steamers and motor ships are received, the first ice class vessels are purchased, and routes are being expanded.

As the company grows, it also begins to specialize. A significant role in this belongs to the oil depot of the port of Ventspils, which started operating in 1961. By the same token, later on, the development of the company was helped by potassium transhipment terminal, which was put in operation in 1980. The fleet gradually acquires tankers, gas tankers, and refrigerator ships. And, as a consequence to a new container terminal built in Riga – container ships.

From 1976 to 1987 the company was run by V. Dirčenko and during his time as director the total number of vessels once again reached 100 units. 90% of all shipments were oil and oil products, chemicals and liquefied gas. Latvia also had the largest fleet of refrigerator ships in USSR at that time. From 1987 to 1991 the company’s director was J. Paderovs.

At the end of the 80ies, a third of all the ships in Latvian SSR fleet were less than 5 years old. Total fleet tonnage exceeded one million tonnes and every year the ships visited 140 ports in 50 countries.

As Latvia regained its independence, JSC „Latvian Shipping Company” started a new life as a state-owned enterprise – 29 August 1991 is considered to be the 2nd birthday of the company. The company takes over 87 motor ships, mostly for transportation of oil and chemicals, from the Trade fleet of the former USSR. P. Avotiņš takes office as director.

The company gains a new status – that of a state-owned joint-stock company subject to privatisation. A. Kļaviņš takes office as president in 1998.

At the dawn of the new millennium JSC „Latvian Shipping Company” owns 49 vessels with an average age of 19 years. It is obvious that the fleet is overaged and many new modern vessels will have to be purchased soon.

On 5 June 2002, the company turns into a public joint-stock company, a long-term business strategy is being developed. Renovation of the fleet becomes the main priority.

A purposeful renovation of the fleet begins. Three almost new tankers are purchased in one year, and agreements are signed with Croatian and Korean shipyards regarding the construction of 14 medium-sized tankers. The commissioned modern double hull vessels will be received between 2006 and 2008.

According to the long-term business strategy of JSC „Latvijas kuģniecība” new agreements are signed with a Korean shipbuilding factory regarding the construction of another four medium-sized tankers to be delivered in 2011–2012.

In 2008, the first stage of the company’s fleet renovation programme was successfully completed – the fleet received fourteen new tankers.

The fleet of JSC „Latvijas kuģniecība” consists of 25 vessels, most of which are younger than 3 years. The average age of the fleet is only 8 years and all vessels comply completely with modern standards. JSC „Latvian Shipping Company” is once again ready to make a strong comeback.