In 1855 Memel's merchants started to build the Winterhafen (winter port). After the erection of a solid railroad bridge across the Dange river in 1874 the track connection to the Winterhafen in 1874 was made. An expansion of the winter port was carried out in 1911.
A further upgrading was carried out during the period of time 1923-1939. Lithuania invested 41.7 million Lts. for renovation, modernization and extension of the docks at that time.