Marseilles-Fos cargo throughput down 1%

The Port of Marseilles-Fos blamed an eight-month decline in cargo throughput on industrial action from mid-April to the end of June over the French government抯 port reform proposals.

The Mediterranean port's throughput totaled 64.3 million tons to the end of August, a 1 percent drop on the first eight months of last year.

Container traffic slumped 16 percent at 5.6 million tons and 551,000 TEUs with key east-west volumes handled at Fos falling 22 percent to 366,000 TEUs.

The box deficit saw general cargo slide 11 percent to 10.4 million tons, although roll-on/roll-off traffic rose 3 percent to 3 million tons due to growth from North Africa and the eastern Mediterranean.

Oil and oil products throughput improved 2 percent to 42 million tons. Liquid bulks rose 16 percent to 2.6 million tons but dry bulks fell 4 percent to 9.3 million tons. 

Source: American Shipper