Law on Ports (1994)

This Law regulates the principles of port activities and the administrative procedures of ports. The Law defines a port as a part of the land territory of Latvia defined by boundaries, including artificially created banks, and such part of inland waters, including inner and outer roadsteads and fairways in the port entrance, which are set up for the servicing of ships and passengers, for the conduct of cargo, transport and expedition operations and other economic activities. Use of a port for defence purposes shall be regulated by Cabinet regulations and regulations of the relevant port. Ports shall operate on the basis of laws, international agreements ratified by the Republic of Latvia, enactments issued by the Cabinet, and by-laws and port regulations of the relevant port authority. The Law further provides for port authority; financial resources of port authority; port fees, their distribution and service fees; vessel traffic in ports; commercial activity in ports; port development fund; and additional provisions for small ports. A small port is a defined restricted part of the land territory, including artificially made banks, and a part of inland waters, including inner and outer roadsteads and port approaches which are provided for the servicing of ships, and its main activity is fishing, fish processing, tourism, export and import of ecologically clean cargo.