Fos Posts 7% First-Half Volume Rise

First-half east-west volumes through Fos container terminal rose by 7% compared with the first six months last year, helping total box throughput at the Port of Marseilles to a 3.5% increase on 488,000 teu. Container tonnage improved by 6.6% to almost five million tonnes, leaving general cargo 5.7% better at 8.7MT. The balance was split between ro-ro (2.1MT/+7.5%) and conventional trades (1.6MT/+0.8%).

The overall cargo total of 47.8MT for January-June was down 2.4% on last year due to lower oil and dry bulk volumes. Contrasting demand saw oil traffic slip 2% to 30.2MT. Crude oil imports for local refineries rose 17% to 16.4MT but pipeline deliveries to Swiss and German refineries fell 15% to 5MT. Refined products/LPG ended 25% worse on 6.7MT whereas LNG gained 3% to 2.1MT.

Dry bulks finished 14% down on 7.2MT despite gradual signs of recovery in steel industry demand, but liquid bulks continued to reflect chemicals sector growth with a 9% rise to 1.7MT. Passenger throughput was up 6% at 702,000. Ferry carryings were stable on 544,000 while cruise numbers rose 28% to 158,000.