U.K. port traffic down slightly in 2007

U.K. port traffic down slightly in 2007 Total freight traffic last year through U.K. ports reached 581.1 million tons, down marginally from the 583.7 million tons that passed through in 2006, according to provisional U.K. Department for Transport statistics.
   More than 97 percent, or 565.8 million tons, went through the 52 of the country's largest ports. Inbound traffic fell 1.9 percent to 358 million tons, while outbound traffic rose 2.1 percent to 223.1 million tons.
   Liquid bulk made up 44 percent of the U.K.'s cargo mix, followed by dry bulk and other general cargo (27 percent); roll-on/roll-off cargo (18 percent); and lift-on/lift-off containers (11 percent).
   The Port of Grimsby and Immingham maintained its position as the country's leading maritime gateway in terms of tonnage with 64 million tons (up 3.4 percent over 2006), followed by London with 52.7 million (up 1.5 percent), and then Tees and Hartlepool with 49.8 million tons (down 6.6 percent). The Port of Felixstowe, the country's largest container facility, was in eighth place with 25.7 metric tons.