Revolutionary Year at Marseilles

The fourth largest port in Europe at Marseilles handled its highest cargo volume for 15 years in 2003 and set an all-time passenger record of nearly two million. Cargo throughput of 95.6 million tonnes was up 3.6% on 2002 and marked a return to 1988 levels when oil traffic accounted for 74% of the ports total volume. Oil now makes up only 66% of the ports volume but a solid 2.7% overall rise in high value container traffic set a record at 831,000 teu. Passenger throughput was up 11.7%, boosted in particular by a spectacular 37% surge in the cruise sector.