The port of Le Havre has announced that during the first six months of the year, port traffic recorded a year on year increase of 6.9 per cent to reach 39.1 million tonnes.

Within this total, general cargo volumes rose 23.1 per cent and dry bulk 26.1 per cent to 23.1 million tonnes over the same period a year ago.

Within general cargo, the port handled 1,264,000 TEU over the six month period, which corresponds to a 26.3 per cent growth over the first half of 2006.

It also marks the sixth consecutive monthly record with 225,000 TEU handled in June, as the 200,000 TEU level was surpassed for the first time in January and systematically ever since, a statement from port authorities said.

The first six months of the year also saw positive results for dry bulks with coal shipments growing 32.5 per cent year on year to 1.3 million tonnes and cement up 24.3 per cent to 200,000 tonnes.

Liquid bulk was up 23.4 per cent to 800,000 tonnes against the corresponding period in 2006.