As Klaipeda is entering a significant new phase of development, Derek Michalski, Chief Editor at The Voice of Renewables speaks to Algis Latakas, Director General of Klaipeda State Seaport Authority.
The largest port in the Baltic States is expanding its physical infrastructure while simultaneously taking on a broader role in Lithuania’s energy transition. A major southern port expansion, offshore wind infrastructure, shore-side electrification and the development of green hydrogen are all changing the nature of the port and the investment opportunities around it.In June 2026, Klaipeda opened Lithuania’s first green hydrogen production and refuelling facility. The facility is designed to produce up to 127 tonnes of hydrogen annually and will serve not only port operations but also road transport, rail and maritime applications.
At the same time, the port has launched Rasa, a hydrogen-and-electricity-powered waste collection vessel, linking local hydrogen production directly with maritime operations.
The port is also preparing infrastructure for offshore wind and moving forward with the development of its southern area, a project whose total investment could exceed €1 billion. The Port Authority’s 2026–2029 investment programme amounts to €775 million.
Against this backdrop, Derek Michalski, Chief Editor at The Voice of Renewables spoke to Algis Latakas, Director General of Klaipeda State Seaport Authority, about the port’s changing role in the Baltic energy system, the commercial prospects for hydrogen and the infrastructure required to turn Lithuania’s energy ambitions into industrial reality.
Derek Michalski: Klaipeda is entering a major investment cycle, including the planned development of the southern part of the port. What is the strategic vision behind this expansion, and what do you want Klaipeda to become over the next decade?
Algis Latakas, Director General of Klaipeda State Seaport Authority: This project is of strategic importance to the country as a whole. As the largest development project in the history of the port, it will not only expand our cargo handling capacity. We estimate that, over a 25-year period, this new infrastructure will generate a return of €7 billion for the country while also increasing the port’s revenues. The newly developed infrastructure will be suitable for container handling and engineering industries, while also meeting the needs of military mobility. In this way, Klaipeda Port will further strengthen its role as a flexible and capable port, while also playing an important role in ensuring the security of the region.
Derek Michalski: Energy is becoming an increasingly important part of that strategy. How is the transition towards electrification, renewable energy and greater energy security changing the infrastructure that Klaipeda needs?
Algis Latakas, Director General of Klaipeda State Seaport Authority: The Klaipeda Port Authority chose a green transition path several years ago and has been pursuing an energy transition because these are decisions that are important for the future and need to be made today. Energy transformation is already changing the port’s infrastructure. The electrification of quays will allow international ferries staying in the port to switch off their engines, helping to reduce their environmental impact. This project will be completed shortly, and in the future, OPS facilities will also be installed at quays used by cruise ships. We are already using shore-side electricity for the needs of the Port Authority’s own fleet.
We are also introducing smaller, everyday solutions that do not change the way we operate but still contribute to change. For example, a solar power plant is already operating on the roof of the fleet base in the southern part of the port.
So far, the most significant energy project implemented by the Klaipeda Port Authority has been the green hydrogen station. It is the first project of its kind in Lithuania. By opening the green hydrogen production facility, we are also creating an ecosystem for the use of this environmentally friendly fuel. The world’s first hydrogen-and-electricity-powered tanker, Rasa, is already operating in Klaipeda Port, and we have also acquired and are using a hydrogen-powered Toyota Mirai.
We are working to establish hydrogen as a sustainable option for cargo transportation, both within the port and across other parts of the logistics chain.
Derek Michalski: The port is investing heavily in new infrastructure while also seeking to attract private investment. Which types of companies and projects are you particularly looking to bring to Klaipeda?
Algis Latakas, Director General of Klaipeda State Seaport Authority: For the third consecutive year, Klaipeda Port has handled 1 million TEU. This is therefore not a coincidence but a clear trend – we have established a strong lead in container handling among the Baltic States. We are seeing strong interest from the market, but both of our container terminals are approaching their capacity limits, so we need to look for opportunities to expand.
Through the development of the southern part of the port, we aim to attract companies operating in the container handling sector. Naturally, before taking on this project, we assessed the market and found that there is genuine interest. We have already received 16 enquiries from market players interested in the opportunity to operate in the southern part of the port, ranging from international shipping companies to manufacturing businesses.
Derek Michalski: Klaipeda has now opened Lithuania’s first green hydrogen production and refuelling facility. What does this project represent for the port — a demonstration project, or the beginning of a much larger hydrogen ecosystem?
Algis Latakas, Director General of Klaipeda State Seaport Authority: Operating at full capacity, our green hydrogen station will be able to produce around 127 tonnes of green hydrogen per year. So, it is not a large-scale or high-capacity production facility. The main significance of this project is that the green hydrogen station at Klaipeda Port is the first of its kind in Lithuania. By taking on this project, we brought this environmentally friendly fuel to Lithuania. We went a step further and began developing an ecosystem for its use. We have a vessel and a car powered by green hydrogen and electricity, and we have established partnerships with companies interested in testing and expanding the use of this fuel in the port, as well as in rail and heavy road transport.
In other words, we decided not to waste time debating what should come first – the market or the fuel. We simply took action.
Derek Michalski: The economics of green hydrogen remain challenging. What needs to happen for hydrogen demand in Klaipėda to move beyond pilot projects and become commercially scalable?
Algis Latakas, Director General of Klaipeda State Seaport Authority: The green hydrogen economy in Lithuania is still in its early stages – the first refuelling station has just started operating at Klaipeda Port, and we are waiting for the second one in Vilnius. This will give us the opportunity to refuel with this environmentally friendly fuel at two locations in Lithuania that are far apart from each other. Lithuania also needed time to embrace electric vehicles. The breakthrough did not happen overnight. It required a focused effort to expand and improve infrastructure, promote this type of transport and introduce financial incentives.
In Europe, ports are becoming some of the most important centres for hydrogen development, as this is where the production and supply of this fuel connect with industry, business and logistics. We see opportunities to further develop hydrogen technologies, and through this project we have created opportunities to supply hydrogen to vessels, passenger cars and heavy-duty transport. We have also sent a clear message to the entire region: Lithuania is now on the European green hydrogen map.
In the future, green hydrogen could also be used to produce green methanol and contribute to the development of green corridors connecting Klaipeda with other ports through sustainable fuel supply chains. Klaipeda Port is consistently strengthening its position as an energy port. Since 2024, the container vessel Eco Umande, powered by green methanol and operated by Singapore-based shipping company X-Press Feeders, has been calling at the port. In order to develop green methanol infrastructure, we have also signed cooperation agreements with several other ports. Recently, the Klaipeda Port Authority, together with its partners, analysed the possibilities for green methanol bunkering and developed a concept for a vessel capable of providing such services.
Derek Michalski: Hydrogen, offshore wind and electrification all depend on access to large volumes of competitive renewable electricity. How important is grid capacity and electricity infrastructure to Klaipeda’s future development?
Algis Latakas, Director General of Klaipeda State Seaport Authority: Green hydrogen production, electrification projects and port development mean that the electricity demand of the Klaipeda Port Authority and companies operating in the port will increase. This is an important issue not only for Klaipeda Port but for the entire region, as many industrial and business players are heavily dependent on the port’s operations. Therefore, it is essential to prepare the necessary infrastructure in advance to ensure the smooth and uninterrupted operation of the port and to create added value.
The infrastructure currently available at the port meets these needs and will be capable of supporting them through the next stages of development. However, we are looking further ahead – we have prepared a dedicated study of the port’s electricity infrastructure. It takes a comprehensive approach to the situation, with scenarios covering the strengthening of the centralised electricity grid, renewable energy generation and energy storage solutions.
Derek Michalski: The Baltic Sea has become an increasingly competitive environment for ports seeking energy and industrial investment. What gives Klaipeda an advantage, and where does the port still need to become more competitive?
Algis Latakas, Director General of Klaipeda State Seaport Authority: Today, Klaipeda Port is the most competitive port among the Baltic States, with a 44% market share. Its competitiveness is based on well-developed, high-quality infrastructure, direct connections to the road and rail networks, and the high quality of the services we provide. This was confirmed by the Klaipeda Port customer satisfaction survey completed at the end of last year. Port users gave positive feedback on the port’s infrastructure and services, while the highest ratings came from ship captains arriving in Klaipeda from ports around the world. According to the survey, industry representatives have confidence in Klaipėda Port and are willing to recommend it to others.
Klaipeda Port is reliable and safe. The harsh winter this year proved that as well. While ice affected operations at other neighbouring ports, shipping and cargo handling in Klaipeda continued without interruption.
We are further strengthening the competitiveness of Klaipeda Port by implementing projects that will create added value in the future – developing new infrastructure, advancing green initiatives, introducing innovations and improving the quality of the services we provide.
Derek Michalski: Klaipeda State Seaport Authority is partnering with DMVR’s Hydrogen Horizons conference in Vilnius. What makes this an important platform for Klaipeda at this stage of its hydrogen development, and what conversations would you like to see taking place there?
Algis Latakas, Director General of Klaipeda State Seaport Authority: By implementing the green hydrogen station project, the Klaipeda Port Authority has already opened a new chapter in Lithuania’s energy history. This marks the starting point for a new, more environmentally friendly transport ecosystem. Our goal now is to expand the use of green hydrogen and grow the market.
“Hydrogen Horizons” is important to us as a platform not only to share our experience of being the first to implement a green hydrogen project in Lithuania, but also to build partnerships that can help create demand for this fuel, ensure a competitive price and inspire future projects. Having moved from ideas to real projects, our shared goal should now be to find concrete solutions for turning these first projects into a functioning and commercially sustainable hydrogen economy in the region.
Derek Michalski: Finally, if we look five to ten years ahead, what would success look like for Klaipeda? What would have to be in place for you to say that the port has successfully established itself as a Baltic energy and industrial hub?
Algis Latakas, Director General of Klaipeda State Seaport Authority: We must move forward quickly. Within five years, the development project for the southern part of Klaipeda Port, which is now getting underway, should be completed, creating a 100-hectare area where businesses will already be operating, alongside a new 500-berth marina for recreational vessels.
In the central part of the port, the new cruise terminal, which is currently just emerging from the water, will be fully operational. Local residents will have embraced and grown to appreciate the new public space for people and vessels, and Klaipeda Port will be welcoming more than 100 cruise ships each year.
Looking further ahead, we see Klaipeda Port as an innovative hub for port services, the maritime industry and green energy.
Derek Michalski: Mr Latakas, thank you for your time and insight. We are looking forward to meeting you and your team at Hydrogen Horizons.
Join Mr Latakas and other participants at Hydrogen Horizons in Vilnius.
