Volumes at the nearby Fos container terminal, which handles the key east-west trades, rose 9 per cent to 354,000 TEU out of a port total of 554,000 TEU (up 2.8 per cent) for the period.
The performance underlined the port authority’s call to tender for the second phase of Fos 2XL, a project to develop and operate two new intermodal container facilities along 1,100 metres of quay in partnership with the private sector.
Applications are due by October 15 and are expected to include a bid from the consortium led by French line CMA CGM and P&O Ports, which won the concession for the 400 metre first phase. Both new terminals are scheduled to open in 2006.
Meanwhile, growth prospects at Fos have received a further boost with its addition this summer to ports of call on Maersk Sealand Asia-Mediterranean service.
In the first eight months this year, container traffic of 5.36 million tonnes (up 5.1 per cent) helped the port’s general cargo total, including ro-ro and conventional trades, to 9.9 million tonnes, up 1.4 per cent.

Alan Jones, Safmarine’s new regional executive for Africa, said: “Shippers are becoming increasingly reliant on a more personalised service, quick decision making, improved communication and documentation flow.
“Changing from third-party to owned-agency representation will enhance the service levels Safmarine is able to offer its customers and we look forward to developing even stronger business relationships in this region.”
Henry Samut, Safmarine Ghana’s country manager, added: “The change of representation has been a smooth one as the new Safmarine Ghana staff complement includes a number of sales representatives from the former third party agency and existing group staff with a wide range of skills, local knowledge and vast experience in shipping.”

Mr Cox joins the company following a career in the British Royal Navy, both at sea and ashore. He replaces Darren Martin, who will shortly move to GAC’s Houston office as marketing manager, Americas.
Neil Godfrey, GAC’s group sales director – Shipping Division, said: “Darren has done a great job in the UK, Ireland and Benelux. The appointment of Matthew ensures market continuity now that Darren relocates to Houston, to take over the management of our ship agency sales and marketing in the Americas.