🇱🇻Aviation Fuel Delivery Highlights Scale and Structure of Riga’s Fuel Supply Chain
A tanker carrying 20,000 tonnes of aviation fuel from the United States has arrived at the Port of Riga, marking the first direct delivery of aviation fuel from the US to Latvia and underscoring the role of fuel logistics linking the port and the country’s main aviation hub.
The cargo was received at the Kundziņsala terminal operated by NAFTIMPEKS, where newly commissioned loading and unloading infrastructure enables large volumes of refined fuels to be handled and stored prior to distribution.
A Single Shipment Covering Two Months of Airport Demand
The delivered cargo of 20,000 tonnes corresponds to roughly two months of winter-season aviation fuel consumption at Riga International Airport, according to industry estimates.
This ratio highlights the relatively compact scale of Latvia’s aviation fuel market and demonstrates how a single tanker shipment can cover a significant share of short-term demand, making supply stability an operational factor for airlines.
Among those attending the tanker’s arrival was Pauls Cālītis, a member of the management board of airBaltic responsible for operations. His presence reflects interest from a key aviation fuel consumer in supply reliability rather than involvement in fuel handling.
Infrastructure Scale in Hard Numbers
The newly opened loading and unloading rack at the NAFTIMPEKS terminal has a handling capacity of up to 200,000 tonnes per month, equivalent to approximately 2.4 mln tonnes annually if fully utilised.
Compared with Riga Airport’s estimated winter aviation fuel demand of around 10,000 tonnes per month, the terminal’s capacity significantly exceeds domestic aviation requirements, indicating infrastructure designed for diversified supply flexibility rather than single-user demand.
Clear Separation Between Port Logistics and Airport Refuelling
The fuel supply chain operates through distinct regulatory and operational layers.
NAFTIMPEKS functions as a maritime fuel terminal responsible for receiving, storing and distributing petroleum products delivered by sea. Its activities are confined to port logistics and storage operations.
Aviation fuel supply and aircraft refuelling at Riga International Airport are carried out separately by licensed aviation fuel operators working under aviation-specific certification and safety regimes. One such operator is Gulfstream Oil, which operates exclusively within the regulated airport refuelling environment. Access to airport fuel infrastructure is restricted to accredited operators and is subject to continuous compliance oversight.
Ownership Structure Reflecting Separate Market Segments
According to Latvia’s commercial register, NAFTIMPEKS is controlled by Latvian businessman Armands Sadauskis, who holds approximately 81% of the company’s share capital through a combination of a Cyprus-registered holding company and a direct personal shareholding. Minority shareholders do not hold blocking rights.
Gulfstream Oil, which operates on the airport side of the fuel chain, belongs to a different ownership group and is fully owned by Baltic Ground Services LV. According to the commercial register, its ultimate beneficial owners are Gediminas Žiemelis and Raimonds Kisiels. The two companies are not part of the same corporate group. the analysis continues in the next section.
Image: photos/photo_187@03-02-2026_21-40-47.jpg