Container traffic through Southampton increased by ten per cent as the port again stamped its presence on the UK's international trade in the first six month of the year.

Figures indicating further growth in the bulk trade, cruising and roll-on/roll-off sectors have also been released by Associated British Ports, owners and operators of the city's docks.

The group's interim results pointed to the strengthening grip the city's port has on the container trade as well the import bulk sector and its dominance of the nation's cruise industry.

Andrew Kent, port director in the city, said: " Southampton is a thriving port which continues to remain at the forefront of key trades that form an integral part of UK business.

"Investing in our strengths and adapting to meet our customers' needs is a recipe for further success which will secure significant wealth and prosperity for the port and the region.

"The increase in cargo volumes is the result of solid investment, new business and growth in existing activities.''

The increase in container traffic came from the inauguration of new services calling at the city.

"The container trade increased by ten per cent despite the effect on global traffic of the US economic slowdown,'' said Mr Kent.

"Southampton Container Terminals has expanded its range of Far East services with the addition of two new routes by customer CMA CGM serving northern China.

"The New World Alliance also operates a new service from Europe to the Far East known as the New European Express.''

The first half of the year also saw Southampton win a larger share of the import bulk market, excluding petroleum.

Volumes have risen by 28 per cent at the port's multi-purpose bulk terminal, which handles a wide range of products from aggregates, gypsum, fertiliser, animal feeds and steel.

More than 336,000 tonnes of bulk cargo was handled in the first six months, an increasing proportion of which is transported to and from the docks by rail.

Work is now underway to accommodate the growing demand in the port's ro/ro business with the start of construction of the UK's first port-located multi-deck car terminal for Wallenius Wilhelmsen Line in the Eastern Docks.

A new link-span facility at 203 berth in the Western Docks is now operational, effectively creating an additional ro/ro berth.

Major vehicle manufacturers are again taking advantage of the port's rail facilities.

This year the first brand new Jaguar X-type sport saloons were delivered straight from the manufacturing plant at Halewood to Southampton ready for export.

The cruise sector saw an 11 per cent rise in the number of calls in the first half of the year with the port confidently expecting a record-breaking final figure at the end of 2001.