Both in Soviet times, and after independence there were a number of restoration projects for Šventoji port, considering options for construction both in its former location and in other places, mostly northward from the current location.
In 1989, design documentation for Šventoji port restoration was prepared by Kaunas radio engineering factory “Banga”, planning to construct a 4–5 meter deep yacht port.
When constructing Būtingė terminal, “Achemos grupė” was considering the possibility of constructing a new industrial port in Šventoji.
In 1996 Klaipėda State Seaport Authority announced initial plans for the Šventoji seaport. It offered to restore the fishing port in Šventoji adapting it for coastal fisheries, recreation and marine tourism, and to plan a new cargo port at Būtingė reserving territory to that effect.
In 2000 Palanga municipality prepared a detailed plan, where Šventoji state seaport was not included. Klaipėda State Seaport Authority appealed against that detailed plan.
In 2002 the first correction of the detailed plan was prepared, adjusting the boundaries and the area, but at that time the private limited company “Energetikas” appealed against the amendments of the plan.
In view of that it was decided to make corrections to the detailed plan of Šventoji settlement, adjusting the boundaries and the area of Šventoji seaport by excluding a part of land with buildings owned by the company “Energetikas”.
In 2003 a feasibility study for restoration of Šventoji seaport (prof. Vytautas Smailys) was prepared by orderof the Ministry of Communications of the Republic of Lithuania. The aim of the above study was to formulate proposals regarding the status of Šventoji seaport, directions of its activities, procedures for defining boundaries of land and water areas of the port, scope and sequence of the port restoration works, scope of required financing and potential sources of financing.
Having considered all the factors, it was concluded that Šventoji port should be restored. This would stimulate business activities in the region around the port, reduce unemployment, and give a boost to commercial trade and service sectors.
On 06-11-2003 the Strategic Planning Committee under the Government of the Republic of Lithuania concluded that operation of Šventoji port would be feasible to Lithuania and set priority directions of the port activities.
On 22-11-2004 the Government of the Republic of Lithuania established Šventoji State Seaport, approved regulations of the port and defined the land and water areas allocated for the port and their boundaries by decree № 1469. Authority for Šventoji State Seaport was delegated to Klaipėda State Seaport Authority.
On 16-06-2006 secondary corrections to the detailed plan were started.
On 16-11-2006 the Government of the Republic of Lithuania by decree № X-910 adopted the law on Šventoji state seaport, which became valid as of 01-03-2007; as of its adoption the law repealed decree № 1469, dated 22-11-2004 of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania
On 30-08-2007 having conducted public procurement procedures, an agreement was awarded to the contract winner – private limited companies “Geoprojektas & Co” and “Hidroprojektas” acting on a joint activity agreement. On 12-12-2007 agreement № 430/34-2007-607 was signed re: preparation of engineering-geological mapping program. The price for performed works was 145 000 LTL, including VAT. Engineering-geological mapping program was prepared on 28-01-2008 and a positive conclusion was received from Lithuanian Geological Survey.
Having conducted public procurement procedures, an agreement was awarded to the private limited company “Inžineriniai Tyrinėjimai”. On 19-10-2007 agreement № 34-2007-523 was signed re: preparation of digital topographic survey. The price for performed works was 17 000 LTL, including VAT, however, while preparing the detailed plan under the conditions issued by Palanga municipality, it was realised that additional topographic surveys should also be prepared for the adjacent 12 ha land area. Therefore, the total price of the contractual works increased to 38 940 LTL, including VAT. The topographic survey was prepared in February 2008.
On 07-04-2008 the Minister of Communication of the Republic of Lithuania by order № 3-101 approved the “Plan of measures for implementation of Šventoji state seaport construction program” that is currently being executed.
On 05-12-2008 Klaipėda State Seaport Authority corrected the Šventoji detailed plan that was approved by resolution № T2-315 of Palanga Municipality Council. The correction included adjustment of the boundaries and the area of Šventoji State Seaport.
The Port Authority urgently prepared cadastral measurements and on 12-02-2009 submitted them to Klaipėda County Governor for registration.
On 01-06-2009 documents were sent by the Port Authority to the Ministry of Communications. These were required in order to adopt a decree of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania and to transfer the land lot to the Port Authority under a trust agreement in order that they could use the funds assigned to restore Šventoji port.
On 27-08-2009 appointed members of Šventoji State Seaport Development Board were approved by order № 3-390 of the Minister of Communications of the Republic of Lithuania with further amendments thereof.
On 30-09-2009 the Government of the Republic of Lithuania adopted decree № 1197, whereby the 15.3 ha land lot and 209.6 ha outer port waters were assigned to Šventoji State Seaport.
On 21-03-2008 an application was filed with the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism of the Kingdom of Spain regarding assignation of a grant from the Bilateral Fund for preparation of Šventoji seaport feasibility study (general plan). On 30-05-2008 and 08-07-2008 additional material was sent. On 27-08-2008 an additional letter was received requesting terms of reference and preliminary estimates for preparation of a feasibility study, and on 24-09-2008 the Port Authority provided the information requested.
On 20-01-2009 the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism of Spain approved assignation of approximately 300,000 EUR grant to prepare for a feasibility study.
On 04-08-2009 thePort Authority signed a contracting agreement with a Spanish consulting company regarding preparations for a feasibility study of Šventoji port.
On 19-01-2010 an interim report of thefeasibility studyfor restoringŠventoji State Seaport waspresented at the meeting of theTechnical Board; specialists that prepared the study were given comments and recommendations.
On 2010-05-25 five potential options of Šventoji port reconstruction were presented at the meeting ofthe Technical Board held in the Port Authority. 2B option was selected as the optimal one; it provided for construction of the port in the southern part. According to calculations by Spanish engineering, consulting and architecture company “Alatec”, that prepared the feasibility study, the restoration costs according to option 2B would amount to 53 million EUR, or over 180 million LTL.
According to option 2B, Šventoji port could accommodate more than 655 vessels, including places for almost 495 vessels in the port waters and approximately 160 onshore. A place for one small (up to 70-metre long) cruiser would be also provided.
Šventoji port would comprise the inner area in the current bay and the outer area in the sea enclosed by piers. According to option 2B, wave breakers would be approximately 400 metres long. Depth in the inner area of the port to seashore would be 4 metres, and in the outer area, 6 metres.
According to the above mentioned 2B option, the port area would include a yacht club, sailing school, dry docks, ship repair and maintenance facilities, restaurants, and shops. Power, water supply, other personal services (laundry, catering, etc.) would be provided to tourists arriving by yachts and boats.
19-06-2010 Šventoji State Seaport Development Council (minutes of the meeting № ŠPT-1, dated 23-06-2010) approved the final report of the feasibility study for restoration of Šventoji port and authorised Klaipėda State Seaport Authority to continue preparing technical documentation and to analyse potential models of port management.
On 23-12-2010 Klaipeda Region Environmental Protection Department of the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Lithuania adopted the selection conclusion No. (9.14.5)-LV4-6547: the environmental impact assessment of planned social and economic activity of Klaipeda State Seaport Authority, stating that maintenance dredging works of Šventoji State Port waters (engineering geological cartography of the territory of Šventoji Port) are not mandatory.
On 12-01-2011 a simplified “Maintenance dredging works of Šventoji State Port waters for performance of engineering geological cartography of the territory of Šventoji Port” was announced to supplement "Informaciniai pranešimai" No. 3 to the official gazette "Valstybes Žinios" (purchasing No. 99454). The amount of sedimentary soil is 70 000 m3.
On 10-02-2011 the Port Authority signed the Contract with the winner of the simplified open tender the contractor JSC “Hiodrostatyba” acting under the joint activity agreement with JSC “Getelit” and JSC “Sweco hidroprojektas”. The object of the Contract is fitting of Šventoji State Port for rendering services to small boats The contract works cover the preparation of technical project, installation of engineering nets and mounting of floating pontoons. The total Contract price is 2 948 000,00 Lt including VAT. The Contract will expire on the 12th of June, 2011.
