Marseilles-Fos box volumes creep up 1%, strike stops operations

Marseilles-Fos box volumes creep up 1%, strike stops operations    Container traffic volumes at the port of Marseilles-Fos rose 1 percent in the first eight months of the year to 624,000 TEUs, when compared to the same period last year.
   The Fos terminals, which handle east/west container services, saw a 3 percent increase in box throughput to 411,000 TEUs.
   Total port traffic for January-August, including bulk cargoes, was up 3.8 percent to 64.8 million tons.
   However, the port is unlikely to post a positive rise in cargo for September as operations have been at a virtual standstill since Tuesday. CGT union members employed at the port have stopped work in sympathy with a strike by State-run SNCM seafarers angry at plans to privatize the loss-making ferry operator.