Smiltynes perkela, like many Klaipeda enterprises and organizations, returned to life after World War II, when the town began to rise from the ashes and ruins. Klaipeda River Port, which grew into the bridge connecting Klaipeda with the Curonian Spit, was established on 12th May 1945. This bridge revived a navigable waterway that had existed from earlier ages and guaranteed a normal service with Klaipeda. Smiltynes perkela which had various functions and was known by many names, was a military organization from its establishment. It became a civil enterprise only at the beginning of the 1970's.
New complex
The Nemunas River Shipping Company began building the new complex. In 1984 the new pier was opened, accepting a stream of people and transporting more than the new south blocks. The 1989 was the most intensive for the new complex, which was already experienced by then it had transported 982,000 tons of cargo and 3 million passengers. About 900,000 passengers were carried to Smiltyne alone in June 1989. The enterprise also has two boats, Trakai and Nerija, for the excursions down the Curonian Lagoon.
Smiltynes perkela separated from the Nemunas River Shipping Company and became an independent organization.
Fleet
The company has five ferries. Two of them, Nemunas and Zalgiris, which were built in 1987 and operate in the new complex, can transport 36 cars and 1215 passengers. Baltija (1986), Nida (1971) and Kintai (1971) operate in the old complex and transport 18 cars and about 470 passengers.
Piers
Smiltynes perkela had demonstrated its pier's excellent facilities. The International Christian Youth Mission's Ship Logos II, with a length of 109.6 m and a draught of 5.1 m, delivered one of the biggest world exhibitions of books. Thousands of people visited the ship during its week-long visit. This experience proves that Smiltynes perkela's pier, which is 125 m long and with a quay 6.9 m wide, is excellent for passengers and cruise ships. Smiltynes perkela's pier is a good place for big ships to dock, moreover, it has comfortable facilities for passengers carriving and departing.
AB Smiltynes perkela
Nemuno str. 8
LT-5802 Klaipeda
Lithuania
Tel. 370 6 23 22 79
Fax 370 6 23 22 79
E-mail
