Lithuania’s Port of Klaipėda is set for a major infrastructure upgrade combining NATO military mobility with shore power, green hydrogen and offshore wind facilities, backed by a €100m loan from the European Investment Bank.
The financing will cover up to half of a project expected to cost around €201m, with the remaining investment coming from European Union, national and other institutional sources. The programme is scheduled for completion by the end of 2027.
At the centre of the development is a new dual-use role for the port’s cruise-ship terminal. Parts of the civilian facility will be adapted to meet NATO requirements, allowing it to accommodate allied naval vessels and provide additional logistical capacity for military mobility in the Baltic region.
The aim is to turn the port into a strategic gateway for defence, energy and trade in the Baltic region. The project will give the infrastructure both military and civilian functions – retaining its role in passenger transport while adding capacity for defence operations.
The investment will expand the port’s role in the energy transition. Planned works include shoreside electricity infrastructure for ferries, green-hydrogen production and refuelling facilities, low-emission port vessels and upgraded quays capable of supporting offshore wind development.
Ports in the energy transition
The combination of marine infrastructure and energy facilities reflects the growing role of ports in supporting renewable energy deployment. Klaipėda forms part of the EU’s core Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), while its upgraded quays are intended to support the installation and maintenance of offshore wind farms.
The port authority has been developing Klaipėda as an energy hub alongside its traditional transport role for some time now. The port opened Lithuania’s first green hydrogen production and refuelling facility in June 2026, while shore-power equipment has been installed and tested at two terminals.
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Discussing the context of this new investment, EIB vice-president Karl Nehammer, said: “Few projects illustrate Europe’s priorities as clearly as the Port of Klaipėda. It is an investment that directly contributes to the missions of supporting European security and cohesion, while aligning with the green transition.”
Important investment
Algis Latakas, director general of the Klaipėda State Seaport Authority, noted: “Klaipėda Port is an important part of Lithuania’s infrastructure, supporting the country’s economy, energy security and national security.
“The financing agreement is an important step forward for the port’s development. It will help us deliver key projects that are shaping the future of Klaipėda Port.”
