About us

Šventosios jūrų uosto direkcija

Šventosios valstybinis jūrų uostas – is Lithuania’s seaport located in the Šventoji settlement, near the Šventoji River. It is owned by the Lithuanian state, and the port was established by the municipality of Palanga, which, upon the proposal of the Ministry of Transport and Communications, defines the boundaries of the port’s land, waters, and reserve territories.

The purpose of the port is to:

  • Serve recreational, small, and sports vessels.
  • Serve fishing vessels.
  • In the future, with the installation of marine piers, serve small cruise and roll-on/roll-off passenger ships.
  • Serve vessels of the State Border Guard Service of the Republic of Lithuania, specialized rescue, oil spill response, firefighting and marine environmental protection, navigation and fishing control, and other state institutions.
  • Serve the auxiliary fleet and emergency response measures of the Būtingė oil terminal.
  • Carry out primary fish processing and develop trade.

History

In the 16th century, Šventoji Port was marked on maps, and from the 16th to the 18th centuries, it was visited by English, Dutch, and Swedish ships. These ships exported grains, furs, honey, and imported iron, manufactured goods, salt, wine, silk, and weapons. English merchants were granted the privilege to establish a port where large merchant ships could enter.
In 1589, by the resolution of the Parliament of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, Šventoji Port was expanded. Foreign ships visited this port particularly intensively during the reigns of Vladislovas Vaza (1632–1648) and Jonas Kazimieras (1648–1668), especially when in 1655, Charles X Gustav occupied not only the coastal areas of Lithuania but also the entire Western Lithuania. During that time, Šventoji Port became a serious competitor to the ports of Klaipėda and Königsberg.
In 1639, influenced by Klaipėda merchants, Vladislovas Vaza issued an order through the Margrave of Brandenburg, Elector George William, against those who sent goods from the Lithuanian coast through Gdańsk instead of Klaipėda, thus cutting off revenues to the king’s treasury (the king received a 2% duty on the value of goods) and to the city of Klaipėda, which was impoverished due to the war. The Samogitians also noticed the intense trade through Šventoji. In 1639, the Samogitians burned the English trading office in Šventoji Port, as well as ships, warehouses, and workshops.
In 1679, Jan Sobieski granted the English merchants the privilege to establish a harbor for large ships. In 1685, Šventoji settlement was allowed to trade independently and develop maritime business. An English merchant, Horst, re-established his trading office here. Subsequently, Šventoji Port revived, and due to its competition, Klaipėda merchants complained in 1687 and 1690.
Due to competition, Riga merchants hired Swedes to fill the port with stones, and during the Northern War in 1701, Šventoji Port was destroyed. At the end of the 18th century, the representative of Lithuania-Poland, Bukota, negotiating with England, promised to restore Šventoji Port, but these plans failed after the division of the state (1772–1795). During the period of the Russian Empire, Šventoji Port languished.
The hope to restore Šventoji Port was revived multiple times. Various port restoration projects were proposed in the 18th century. Reconstruction work on the port began in 1923–1925, primarily for fishermen. In 1939–1940, the southern and northern piers were renovated. However, large tonnage ships could not enter this port because sand blocked the harbor gates. Šventoji did not become a larger port. After the war, the port area belonged to the “Pajūris” fishing farm.
On November 16, 2006, the Law on the State Seaport of Šventoji was adopted, envisioning the restoration of the port. The action plan for port restoration was coordinated by the Klaipėda State Seaport Authority and the municipality of Palanga. Preparatory and pre-project works were completed in 2008. In 2009, a port feasibility study was prepared. In 2010, an engineering-geological mapping program and archaeological surveys were completed. The port started operating on June 11, 2011. Detailed planning and technical project for Šventoji Port are expected to be completed by 2012. The restoration of Šventoji Sea Port began in 2021, and the work is planned to be completed by 2025.
  • Šventosios jūrų uosto direkcija, SĮ
  • Company code: 304942928
  • VAT payer code: LT100016098819
Administration
Information
Newsletter
© 2024 SĮ Šventosios jūrų uosto direkcija