Container and general cargo volumes slump in Marseilles

Container traffic bore the brunt of the general cargo slump with volumes down by 15% to 774,519 teu. This included a 21% decline in east-west trades via Fos which handled 519,518 teu, although the Marseilles harbour area finished only 2% down with 255,001 teu thanks to the stability of Mediterranean trades.

Ro-ro traffic added 4m tonnes to the general cargo total, a 1% rise due to volumes on eastern Mediterranean and North Africa services, but conventional trades ended 15% worse on 2.3m tonnes as reduced demand for steel products felt the added effects of motor industry cutbacks.

On a more positive note, Marseilles Fos has formed a Med Link promotional partnership with eight inland ports serving its crucial north-south hinterland along the Rhone-Saone corridor.